The Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha Australia Training Camp was held the weekend of 3-5 April at the Chapel Hill Camp on Queensland Sunshine Coast. Members for this year’s camp came from the following Dojo:
Friday the 3rd of April saw the Black and Brown belts arrive ready to begin training and we launched into a very spirited session of the Sai Bo no kumite lead by Shihan Jim and Renshi Des. This was an excellent lesson and everyone threw themselves into either learning or re-learning this kumite.
Saturday morning commenced our 9-hour training session where Shihan Jim and Shihan Max conducted formal introductions and welcomes. Shihan Jim then read messages from HanshiWatananbe and Hanshi Myron Lubitch (Shinzen Kyokai). While Hanshi Watanabe may not have been physically there with us, we know he was there in spirit and everyone recognized this.
A warm up session prepared us for the next lesson on kihon waza and the remainder of the day was a mixture of kata, kumite, goshin-jitsu, formal discussions and regular demonstrations from those grading. In addition, some students doing their Yudansha grading took lessons in Izutsu no waza and Sai Bo no kumite under the watchful eyes of Shihan’s Jim and Max and Renshi Des.
Following the evening meal the managing body of Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha Karate Australia, the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association Inc, held its Annual General Meeting. At this meeting the National Executive were elected:
Sunday saw the continuation and revision of Saturdays work with Shihan Max leading us through some in depth explanations of joint locking and pressure points which were then put into practice.By the sounds of the groans and tapping out, it was obvious everyone was getting into this session especially Shihan Jim and Sensei Jason who seemed to be trying to out do each other and take their joint locking to the next level.
The latter part of the morning saw the Mudansha being put through their grading and the following received their promotions:
After lunch, Shihan Max Estens provided us with a demonstration, as did Renshi Des Paroz and Tashi Lesley Griffin who were all doing their final testing stage for their promotions. On completion of these senior belt demonstrations, Shihan Jim Griffin conducted the formal promotions and presentations to:
At the end of the Yudansha grading, Shihan Jim presented some Yudansha members with certificates and ceremonial belts from the Shinzen Kyokai.
After a formal bow out, congratulations were abundant and lots of photos were taken. The respect and camaraderie shown by all at the end of this camp attests to the closeness of our Australian Shorinjiryu family and the support everyone gives to each other.
As it was last year, the weekend was intense but enjoyable and full of quality information and instruction. Although people were weary and tired, there were still smiles all round making it all worthwhile and I know we all look forward to next year for more training and especially to catch up with Hanshi Watanabe.
Domo arigato