SHORINJIRYU KOSHINKAI NATIONAL TRAINING CAMP

The 2014 Shorinjiryu Koshinkai National Training Camp commenced on Friday the 28^th March with a training session for the Brown and Black belt karateka. After the welcomes and bow in, Shihan Estens and Sensei McKernan took everyone through Sankakutobi Shodan Ichi. Shihan Paroz then took the group through a very informative session on Bunkai Theory.

Following on, Shihan Paroz lead us all into an in-depth lesson on Tanbo Self Defence which has been introduced for our 4^th Kyu grading. Shihan Estens then took the group through Sai kata to finish off a full training session in very hot and humid conditions

After cleaning up, we all met for a joint evening meal and held our AGM.  Various topics were discussed and the following personnel were elected to the National Executive Committee:

President                Shihan Des Paroz

Vice President         Tasshi Tony Fletcher

Treasurer                Kyoshi Jim Griffin

Secretary                Shihan Lesley Griffin

Councilor                Shihan Max Estens

Saturday kicked off with the Shodan-ho candidates, under the watchful eye of Shihan Lesley Griffin, take the early morning session of kata Naihanchin no sho. After breakfast, Kyoshi Griffin and Shihan Estens officially welcomed everyone to the National Camp. Members came from Kennankan in Melbourne, Kensuukan in Coonabarabran, Kengokan in Sydney, Shishikan in Brisbane, Kazoku in Murgon, Kensuikan in Rockhampton and of course the students from Seiryukan Bribie Island.

The days’ events went straight into Wankan Waza with Kyoshi Griffin and Tasshi Fletcher followed by Wankan kata taken by Kyoshi Griffin and Shihan Lesley Griffin. Renshi Bowden then took the whole group through a fighting strategy session that was informative and realistic. The shodan-ho candidates followed with demonstrations and part of their grading.

After lunch Shihan Paroz and Shihan Estens introduced Tanbo Goshinjutsu no Waza that is now part of the syllabus for grading to 4^th Kyu Green Belt. This was an exciting inclusion in our training and was welcomed with much enthusiasm by everyone. Kyoshi Griffin and Shihan Estens took the group through Randori Go followed by a lesson from Shihan Estens on Ten Chi Jin San Nin Kumite. Open floor practice time was given to all

Shodan-ho Candidates

The Shodan-ho candidates then performed more grading material and after continual grading demonstrations throughout Friday and Saturday, Olivia Grech and Deji Balgun were awarded their shodan-ho much to the delight of everyone there but especially to their instructor Tasshi Marnie Roberts who wasn’t able to hold back tears of joy.

The Presentations for Black Belt of the Year (BBOTY) and the newly introduced Karateka of the Year (KOTY) were then made.

Black Belt of the Year                   Sensei Anne Kratzman

Sensei Kratzman (mother of Sensei Leanne Sippel) has been instrumental in keeping the Kazoku Dojo going and providing support while Sensei Sippel is finishing her degree.

Karateka of the Year                    Sempai James Quaglino

Sempai Quaglino has been a very hard worker overcoming personal difficulties to achieve his Brown Belt and see’s his Black Belt grading as the next personal goal and achievement. He is strong supporter in the dojo and is always willing to help wherever he can.

After dinner and all presentations and awards were finished, group photos were taken and a very happy group of karateka went home around 9pm.

Sunday morning saw another early pre-breakfast session taken by Shihan Paroz, Shihan Estens and Sensei McKernan who introduced the “Koshinkai Fitness Test” designed to bring a minimum level of fitness to Yudansha personnel who will be required to pass this as part of their grading.

The fitness test covers upper and middle strength plus aerobic exercise and was welcomed with much enthusiasm by everyone. Groups of people conducted this test with Shihan Paroz showing the way by leading from the front. While this has been introduced at Yudansha level, the interest shown by all the Mudansha, may see a natural progression for this fitness test to be part of the complete grading syllabus.

Shihan Paroz and Shihan Estens continued on with the Tanbo Goshinjutsu no Waza breaking down the moves and explaining both Omote and Ura Waza applications. Such was the interest in this program; extended time was given allowing the students to practice more.

The last part of the training camp was dedicated to Kata Nijushiho going through every aspect, understanding the techniques and the correlation to the waza application. Everyone saw and felt the benefits of learning the waza and applications to better understanding the kata

An excellent training camp, well organized and executed. Everyone gave 100% focus with high levels of enthusiasm. It was very apparent that the camaraderie continues to grow as our small but dedicated group shows how closely knitted our family is.

Congratulations to the well deserved recipients, Instructors of the day, the National Executive, the Chief Instructors and most of all the students who trained diligently and hard.

Shorinjiryu Qld Training Clinic

 An excellent Qld training clinic was held at Bribie Island Sunday 1st March. Members from Seiryukan, Shishikan and Kensuikan attended. A special note goes to Sensei Mark Slingo who drove down from Rockhampton in the early hours of the morning to train and drove back again.

Instruction was by Tasshi Tony with Sensei Mark as his uke with assistance by Kyoshi Jim. The days activities started out with a resounding warm up with Sensei Dee taking us through a myriad of warm up exercises. People were paired up and shuttle runs required touching the mat at each end with a finger while the other person was performing exercises, it was really strange that Kyoshi Jim found it difficult to actually touch the mat while his partner Tasshi Tony was in the push up hold position......

The training consisted of an in depth study and application of the self defence (goshinjutsu) moves from group two of the syllabus, directly correlating to the applications of kata Wankan. The group rotated during the day ensuring that everyone had an opportunity to practice with everyone. The training was broken up into sections of the applications then performing that part of the kata. It was a very informative session enjoyed by all.

At the end of each session, the students demonstrated to the class the applications they had learnt. The day finished with each student demonstrating the full self defence applications and then the complete kata of Wankan. Congratulations to everyone for an enthusiastic training day in hot humid conditions.

We all look forward to the National Training camp weekend in 4 weeks time at the end of March.

SHORINJIRYU KOSHINKAI QLD TRAINING CAMP

Shorinjiryu Koshinkai held their end of year Qld Training Camp at Bribie Island on Sunday 3rd Nov 2013. Koshinkai members came from Rockhampton, Murgon, Brisbane and from the Bribie Island dojo of Kyoshi Jim and Shihan Lesley.

The day started off with a warm up by Sempai Jed. Kyoshi then lead the group through kata Naihanchin Sho focusing on technique, posture and zanshin.

Kyoshi Jim with assistance from Tasshi Tony then took the group through Naihanchin Sho Waza explaining the concepts and links to the Naihanchin kata from which the Waza was developed. The students then broke off into groups each with a Yudansha and practiced the waza. During the lessons, each group demonstrated what they had learnt showing their development and understanding of the waza

Following on from this, Kyoshi then took the class through kata Wankan and using the same groups, practice continued on with further demonstrations.

The days training culminated with a kata competition with Kyoshi Jim, Shihan Lesley and Tasshi Tony judging.

All in all it was a great day, we learnt, retained and enjoyed our training day.

Of particular note, Kyoshi made an announcement at the camp recognizing an achievement award to one of his students:

At his College's awards presentation night, Jed Dunmore was awarded the Long Tan award for Service and Leadership by the Australian Defense Force.

The ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Awards started in 2006 to recognize students who demonstrate leadership and teamwork within both the school and the broader local community. At the same time, they recognize those who display strong values, such as doing one’s best, respect for others and “mateship”, characteristics that are integral to Australian society.

The awards are an important initiative by the Australian Government in conjunction with the Australian Defence Force designed to encourage senior students – tomorrow’s leaders – to actively participate in the life of their schools and local communities. In 2007 some 2100 schools participated. The number of schools participating today is over 2250.

This prestigious award prompted Kyoshi Jim to comment that Jed's service and leadership award melds perfectly with our aims as Karateka.

The battle of Long Tan in Vietnam was fought between a force of around one hundred Australians against an opposition of many times their number.

Congratulations Jed, we are proud of your efforts

Black Belt Camp 2012

On Friday afternoon 7th September Yudansha from Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Dojos began arriving at Pilliga Pottery / Barkala Farmstay for our annual Black Belt Camp, with participants having driven up to 13 hours to get there. A few selected brown and green belts also attended for the experience.

Friday night was a night for catching up with all our Koshinkai friends and enjoying the traditional kangaroo goulash dinner and a few red wines before catching up on some sleep for the weekend.

Saturday commenced with a brisk daybreak walk and bo basics session, it was minus 2.5C and enjoyable. This was followed by Gorin no Kumibo (2 person bo kumite) before breakfast. Lashings of bacon and eggs, freshly baked bread, freshly brewed coffee and juice provided fuel for the busy day ahead.

Following breakfast, everybody happily participated in the Renzoku Kansetsu Waza and Rezoku Shime Waza drills (joint lock and strangulation flow drills, also known as the A-to-Z of Pain), more kumibo and Kata Sankakutobi. After lunch, we enjoyed three special sessions with our old friend and special guest, Shihan Phil Hinshelwood from Yagyu Shingan Ryu.

Shihan Phil is the first and most senior exponent of Yagyu Shingan Ryu outside of Japan and is among the most senior world wide exponents of this traditional art that has a 400 year history. He commenced his Juijitsu training in 1971 and met and commenced training with Shimazu Kenji (Chikuosha) of Yagyu Shinzen Ryu in 1988. Shihan Phil is also a member of the New South Wales Police force (since 1982) and has variously been involved with Special Weapons and Operations.

Shihan Phil explained the history then progressed to explanation of the various facets of his art before leading us all in basic techniques and bunkai for our Gokyoku no Ken katana kata.

Following Shihan Phil’s highly informative sessions, we adjourned to the warmth for the presentation of the Koshinkai Black Belt of the Year award which was split this year into a joint award between Tasshi Marnie Roberts from Kennankai in Melbourne and Sensei Leanne Sippel of Kazoku in Murgon.

Both revipients trained in the early days of Shorinjiryu in Australia then had extended breaks before returning at the same time several years ago. They both have very successful Dojos, both successfully competed recently in the Oceania Koshiki Championships and are worthy winners of this prestigious award. Congratulation to both.

At the awards ceremony, Renshi Graham Bowden was admitted to the Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Advisory Council and we look forward to his valued input well into the future. The Senior Advisory Council consists of selected Australian Kodansha (senior Yudansha of 5th Dan and above) and Hanshi Myron Lubitsch from the Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai. Their advice to the joint Chief Instructors, Kyoshi Jim Griffin, and Shihan Max Estens is invaluable.

Perfect completion of the first day saw wood fire pizza and a few red wines followed but eagerly awaited sleep in preparation for Sunday.

Sunday commenced with daybreak Kata Wankan in relatively heatwave conditions of 0C followed by more Gorin no Kumibo, more Kata Sankakutobi, more A to Z of joint locks and strangulation followed by an informal afternoon Instructors only session which was also well received.

In addition to the great sessions by Phil Hinshelwood Shihan, the instruction for the weekend was variously performed by Jim Griffin Kyoshi, Max Estens Shihan, Des Paroz Shihan and Lesley Griffin Shihan, with assistance from Graham Bowden Renshi.

This was a fitting last official function of our 35th Anniversary year, a great year for Shorinjiryu Koshinkai.

See you all next year.

Strong Koshinkai Performance at WKKF Oceania Cup

On the weekend of 9–10 June, instructors and members of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo gathered at the Gold Coast to participate in the World Koshiki Karate-do Federation’s Oceania Cup and seminars with WKKF Founder, So Shihan Masayuki Hisataka.

Koshinkai members participating included chief instructors Kyoshi Jim Griffin and Shihan Max Estens, Senior Instructors Shihan Des Paroz and Renshi Graeme Bowden, Instructors Tasshi Tony Fletcher, Tasshi Marnie Roberts, Sensei Mark Slingo and Sensei Leanne Sippel, and other members from Brisbane, Coonabarabran and Melbourne Dojos.

On the Saturday, So Shihan Hisataka conducted a seminar that covered the WKKF approach to Bunkai Kumite, studying some bunkai applications from the kata Bassai. These looked at applications based on Juho (soft techniques), Goho (hard techniques) and Bukiho (weapons techniques). Following a break, some bogu kumite drills were covered, and the seminar concluded with a review of Koshiki competition refereeing and judging.

The WKKF Oceania Cup tournament was on the Sunday, and Koshinkai members displayed a high level of courtesy, comraderie and technical skill. Our contingent did very well, with outstanding participation as follows:
- Deji Balogun: strong performance in both kata and shiai
- James Bowden: 1st place in kata and 3rd place in shiai
- Amanda Bugden: strong performance in both kata and kumite
- Jed Dunmore: 2nd place in shiai and strong performance in kata
- Leesa Dunmore: 3rd place in shiai and strong performance in kata
- Olivia Grech: 3rd place in kata, and strong performance in shiai
- Dean McKernan: 3rd Place in shiai, and strong performance in kata
- Marnie Roberts: 1st place and 2nd place performances in kata (2 divisions)
- Leanne Sippel: 2nd place and 3rd place performances in kata (2 divisions)

With participants from Japan, Russia, New Zealand, Italy and Samoa, as well as from around Australia, we can all be proud of the strong performance of our Koshinkai contingent.

Having been formed in 2011, Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Australia is based on a tradition built on 35 years of Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo, 65 years of the Shorinjiryu Karatedo of Kaiso Kori Hisataka and centuries of Okinawan karate. With this foundation, we are proud to practice a classical art whilst participating strongly in modern sporting karate systems such as Koshiki Karatedo. In this way, we balance the old and the new…