Kensuukan Dojo of Shorinjiryu Karate

Applied Karate #011 (mp3 - 19MB - 55 mins)

[audio:http://karate.thepodcastnetwork.com/audio/tpn_appliedkarate_20070807_012.mp3]

DOWNLOAD EPISODE 011 OF THE APPLIED KARATE SHOW

In this episode of The Applied Karate Show we start the show with a bit of a round up some news in the world of karate, including

• The deafening silences of The Applied Karate Show (I promise to be more regular)
• Shorinjiryu Karate Australia becoming a part of the Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha World Federation
• The new series on the History Channel – The Human Weapon

I also discuss the introduction of my new regular karate and related arts newsletter and blog, The Essential Karate News. Sign up now for regular information on karate, kobudo, kettlebells and related aspects. Its free, and I will do my best to make it informative.

In the main feature of Episode 12 our guest is Mario McKenna Sensei.

A karate and kobudo instructor now resident in Vancouver, Canada, Mario is the only western exponent of the little known branch of Naha-te known as Tou’on-ryu Karate, founded by Juhatsu Kyoda, the senior most student of Naha-te under Kanryo Higashionna, and a fellow student of the famous Chojun Miyagi of Goju-ryu. Having lived in Japan for many years, Mario sensei is a well versed practitioner of Gojuryu and Tou’on-ryu karate and Ryukyu Kobudo. A psychologist by training (with a Masters degree in Sports Psychology), Mario clearly works to balance both the academic and physical aspects of our art, in the tradition of Bun Bu Ryo Do. Please join in as we discuss

• Starting out in Gohakukai Karate in Canada
• Moving to Amami Ohshima in Japan’s south, and taking up Ryukyu Kobudo under a direct student of Shinken Taira
• Moving to Kyushu, where he continued his studies of Ryukyu Kobudo (under Katsumi Murakami sensei, a direct student of Motokatsu Inoue), and taking up Tou’on Ryu Karate
• The differences between Tou’on-ryu and Goju-ryu
• The value of weapons practice for karateka (something that Mario sensei says shouldn’t be considered in the first 2 years of training – listen why to find out)
• The concept of Bun Bu Ryo Do

Be sure to visit Mario’s website, and also subscribe to his informative blog.

We love feedback. You can leave an audio message by clicking on the icon above. If you’re in Australia, you could also leave a message on our feedback line at (02) 90189302 (+61-2-90189302 for international callers). I would love to include appropriate audio messages in future shows! Email can be sent to podcast@appliedkarate.com. Of course, you can leave a comment below, or alternatively, post over on The Applied Karate Forum.

I’d appreciate it if you could pop over to PocastAlley.com and vote for us, or comment and rate us in iTunes through the music store.

Applied Karate #011 (mp3 - 19MB - 55 mins)

LISTEN HERE TO EPISODE 011 OF THE APPLIED KARATE SHOW

Applied Karate #008 (mp3 - 20MB - 57 mins)

DOWNLOAD EPISODE 008 OF THE APPLIED KARATE SHOW

Shihan Dan Hayes is the chief instructor of the Island Budokan dojo and the Regional President of the Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe-Ha Karate Federation, as well as the Vice President of the International Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai. Shihan Hayes holds a 6th Dan grading from the Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe-Ha Federation, and a 7th Dan from the Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai. Shihan Hayes also holds instructor qualifications in Kendo and Yagyu Shinkage Ryu Heiho.

Having commenced a study of Shorinjiryu Karate in 1973, Hayes Sensei has been fortunate to train with many of the first generation Japanese instructors who setup in the NE of the US in the 60’s and 70’s. His first teacher was Shihan Minoru Morita, and his long time mentor continues to be Kaicho Shunji Watanabe. He has also trained with Shihan Hisanobu Yamazaki, Hanshi Masayuki Hisataka, Sensei Fujio Monjiyama and Sensei Shigeru Ishino.

In this discussion, Hayes Sensei talks about his early experiences and recollections with these gentlemen and others, and elaborates on the similarities and differences between them. In addition we discuss:

• The role of yakusoku kumite in Shorinjiryu karate
• The use of bogu style protective equipment in training and competition
• The practice of buki-ho (weapons), both within Shorinjiryu and also within his pursuits of Yagyu Shinkage Ryu and Kendo
• The role of kata - what Hayes Sensei refers to as the “brain” of karate, while kumite is the heart.
• Changes in Shorinjiryu Karate over the years

This was another fascinating discussion for me. I hope our listeners don’t mind there being 2 interviews in a row from the practitioners of the style I practice, but the opportunity was there, and I found both to be very different, yet both inspiring and educative in their own way. I sincerely appreciate Hayes Shihan’s time and his having shared so much.

We love feedback. You can leave an audio message by clicking on the icon above. If you’re in Australia, you could also leave a message on my feedback line at (02) 90189302 (+61-2-90189302 for international callers). I would love to include appropriate audio messages in future shows!

Email can be sent to des@appliedkarate.com. Of course, you can leave a comment below, or alternatively, post over on The Applied Karate Forum.

I’d appreciate it if you could pop over to PocastAlley.com and vote for us, or comment and rate us in iTunes through the music store.

Applied Karate #007 (mp3 - 20MB - 57 mins)

LISTEN HERE TO EPISODE 008 OF THE APPLIED KARATE SHOW

Over the weekend of 18-19 March, members of the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association travelled to Brisbane to participate in the annual National Training Camp.

This year’s camp was attended by instructors and members of all 9 dojos - Kensuukan (Coonabarabran), Seiryukan (Brisbane), Torakai/Torakan (Logan City), Kensuikai (Innisfail), Yagizakai (Rockhampton), Shishikai (Brisbane), Seiryukai (Brisbane) and Kengokai (Sydney).

The Saturday kicked off with a welcome from our Chief Instructors, Renshi Jim Griffin, 5th Dan and Renshi Max Estens, 5th Dan, followed by a warm up. Then Tashi Anne Aylward (Torakai/Torakan) covered grappling with 2 opponents, based on the Sannin Kumite exercises. After this Tashi Graeme Bowden (Kensuukan) covered fighting strategy.

Following lunch, Renshi Jim and Tashi Lesley Griffin taught Naihanchin Waza, a 2 person drill based on the Naihanchin kata. The day was rounded out with an informative lesson on ground fighting and self defences from Tashi Peter Deasy (Kensuikai).

On Sunday, Tashi Des Paroz taught an early morning session on Bojutsu, including preparatory exercises (junbi undo) and the first segment of the Gorin no Kumibo drill. After breakfast and warm up, we were joined by the Patron of Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo, Shihan Phil Hooper, 7th Dan.

The first session was a run through by Tashi Des Paroz and Sensei Mark Zaglas on Kata Bunkai Drills, utilising the Tsuki Waza drill as a foundation, before working some self defence segments directly from 3 of the kata - Ananku, Naihanchin and Nijushiho.

After a break, Renshi Max taught the A, B, C, D & E’s of joint locking - a comprehensive drill regarding various locks and holds.

After lunch we moved onto a grading for 9 candidates attempting to progress to various black belt levels. The following 9 people were successful in their endeavours:

Promoted to Shodan-Ho (Probationary Black Belt)

• Amanda Bugden (Seiryukan)
• Dean McKernan (Kensuukan)

Promoted to Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt)

• Sensei Trevor Casini (Kensuukan)
• Sensei Jason Romer (Shishikai)

Promoted to Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt)

• Sensei Luisa Colman (Seiryukan)
• Sensei Tony Fletcher (Shishikai)
• Sensei Trevor Maher (Kensuikai)
• Sensei Krystal Sciacca (Torakai/Torakan)
• Sensei Mark Slingo (Yagizakai)

Congratulations to all for your efforts and results.

Members of all Australian Shorinjiryu Dojos gathered together on the weekend of 19th to 20th of March at Margate Queensland for our annual training camp and gradings. The Dojos represented were as follows:-

Many students and Instructors traveled between 600 and 1000 miles to attend and none were disappointed.

Day one commenced with a session by Sensei Anne Aylward on extension of technique which was followed by a practical self-defense session by Sensei Peter Deasy. Following a short break, a fun session on Yon Nin Kumite was hosted by Sensei Max Estens and Sensei Graeme Bowden. Following lunch, Kata Naihanchin Yon was taught by Sensei Jim Griffin then Sensei Des Paroz hosted an extended session on Kata Gorin No Bo and the four Gorin No Bo Kumites.

Following dinner and the Association annual general meeting, it was “Showtime” where the students and Instructors get a chance to show their “talents”. For some reason, the Springwood students always have some form of cross-dressing in their show, they have serious problems! Sensei Krystal Sciacca performed an excellent modern dance routine which included sai and brought the house down. Sammy Sciacca entertained us with a few tunes pounded out on his cheeks and Amanda Bugden played a few riffs on her guitar. Daniel Coleman and James Bowden produced some questionable jokes, all the more questionable due to their tender ages. Then came a hilarious session of “celebrity heads” and Kata “mini” naihanchin performed by Sensei Des Paroz, obviously Sensei Des had not paid attention earlier in the day! Sensei Jim Griffin tried to get a rousing rendition of the club drinking song going but this was made difficult by the fact that alcohol is not allowed at our camps.

Day two commenced after breakfast at 8.30am with a mixed session of Kata Ananku and Gokyo No Kumite, hosted by Sensei Des Paroz and two prospective Shodan Ho’s, Deepak Grewal and Trevor Casini which was followed by a Kata Sankakutobi session hosted by Sensei Lesley Griffin.

Following lunch, the Kyu and Dan gradings commenced and continued for the next three hours. The four prospective Shodan Ho’s, Trevor Cassini, Deepak Grewal, Petra Matakovic and Jason Romer were thoroughly examined on their knowledge of many Shorinjiryu Katas, Kumites, Bunkais and Defenses and then followed up with around 60 minutes of continuous “light contact” kumite.

Following the kumite, they were all exhausted and bruised but happy in the knowledge that they had earned their promotions. The successful students were:-

Sensei Max Estens, Godan, Sensei Graeme Bowden, Yondan and Sensei Des Paroz, Yondan were presented with their Australian Dan grade certificates by Sensei Jim Griffin following their successful promotions by Kyoshi Myron Lubitsch late in 2004.

It was time to leave, tired but happy, and already looking forward to next year. The spirit and friendship of our great Style makes these training camps the highlight of our year.

Jim Griffin, Renshi

On 27 February 2005, a special training day and grading was conducted at the Kensuukan Dojo in Coonabarabran.

Conducted by Renshi Max Estens, Tashi Graeme Bowden and Tashi Des Paroz (of the Kengokai Dojo in Sydney), the traning focused on Bojutsu Junbi Undo (preparatory exercises) and 2 of the short randori of the Gorin no Bo series.

After lunch, a grading was conducted, and following good performances by all, Renshi Max announced the following promotions.

Congratulations to all of the above on their promotions.