Training in Okinawa 2007 This was the third time this year that I have been privileged to be in the company of the Master. As always the training was first class with 6 hours a day covering the IOGKF curriculum. The temperature was a comfortable 22 – 23c, this was very agreeable and allowed everyone to try harder. There were contingents from eleven countries which included Japan, England, Australia, The U.S.A, Russia, Poland, Moldava, New Zealand, Italy, Denmark and Sweden. In total there were around 50 participants. During training the appearance of Aragaki Shuichi Sensei stimulated everyone because here was one of the Masters that had first hand knowledge and experience in training with Miyagi Chojun Bushi. We were also treated to a lecture by Aragaki Shuichi Sensei on the training principles and philosophy of Miyagi Chojun Bushi. Sadly Miyagi An'Ichi Sensei was not able to attend due to illness, we wish him a speedy recovery. During this trip I was accompanied by my assistant Sensei Linda Marchant and she suggested that we should in our time here try to visit and sample some of the local restaurants and try local specialties which sounded good to me.We also managed to go to the Zendo for meditation, and were invited to have an audience with the Roshi. His words were inspiring and thoughtful. Master Higaonna sat there in a half lotus position without a movement listening to what the Roshi had to say. One of the highlights of our visit was to Shinzo Chinan Sensei's restaurant the night before we left for the mainland, he was one of the senior instructors in the Jun Do Kan, such a nice man. Before long it was time to head back to Tokyo to spend the night in a hotel and this gave us an opportunity to have dinner with Sensei Kazuo Terauchi who is a great friend of mine. My special thanks to the Okinawa Staff and Nakamura San for his interpretation throughout the Gasshuku and of course to Higaonna Sensei. Don't forget July 20 th – 26 th 2008 the World Budosai on Okinawa. Everyone will be welcome wherever you come from, we are expecting 1000 people. For more information on this event please visit the Budosai Website George Andrews |