18th&19th November 2023 - International Gasshuku, Germany
On the 17th November Sensei Craig and I (Sensei Amy) set off to Neuss, Germany once again for our second International Gasshuku hosted by Unsui Dojo and Karate Neuss. We had an amazing weekend of karate, getting to train with over 100 karate-ka from around the world. These kinds of seminar are very special and are a fantastic and invaluable experience. Last November we went to the first of these International Gasshuku’s held by Unsui Dojo and Karate Neuss. For me that was the first time that I had trained with IMGKA’s own chairman, Akihito Yagi Sensei (Hanshi). White Rose Budo are members of the International Meibukan Gojyu Ryu Karate-do Association and Craig and I have also been members individually for years; so this was extra special. When I first started out learning karate and Meibukan Gojyu Ryu karate 20 years ago I was fortunate to be able to train with Akihito Yagi Sesnei’s father, Meitatsu Yagi Sensei…it was amazing! Now being older and a more experienced karate-ka I was able to take in so much more information and I am still trying to process it all. Both Craig and I have notes upon notes from the weekend! Sensei Craig has trained both in the UK, Europe and Okinawa with Meitatsu Yagi Sensei - I am very jealous!
Last year as well as being our first International Gasshuku and my first meeting with Akihito Yagi Sensei, it was also the year I was graded to 3rd Dan (San-Dan) and Craig was graded to 4th Dan (Yon-Dan) by Akihito Yagi Sensei, which was an experience I cherish.
This year we spent the whole of the Saturday training with Akihito Yagi Sensei, delving further into the Gojyu Ryu and Meibukan Kata. We also got to watch students from Unsui Dojo grade and one of our IMGKA UK friends grade to 2nd Dan (Ni-Dan). It was fantastic to watch and a great showcase of skill….it was also nice to not be the one getting nervous grading ourselves this year. We are hoping to collaborate and train with more IMGKA clubs, especially one being based near London.
The Sunday we once again trained with Akihito Yagi Sensei on technical aspects of Gojyu Ryu kata (over the weekend we went through Gojyu Ryu kata Sanchin, Gekisai Ichi, Gekisai Ni, Saifa, Shisochin, Sanseiryu, Seisan, Seienchin and Sepai; and the Meibukan Kata Tenchi) and also more freestyle karate applications delivered by our hosts Simo Tolo and Martin Kudzia; including their Nihon kumite, which was lots of fun and a great training practice.
We are both excited to bring our new knowledge and experience back to our White Rose budo students. There are so many stories, anecdotes and information I could flood this little blog with, but for now I will finish here. I am looking forward to what 2024 brings (including possibly a 3rd time at the International Gasshuku Germany; who knows?)
