Koshinkai debuts in New York

On the 5^th Oct 2011, Shihan Jim Griffin, Tasshi Tony Fletcher and Sempai Dee Foster, headed off to New York to attend the 25^th Silver Anniversary Shinzen Shiai Tournament. They arrived in Manhattan at around 8.30pm at their apartment and headed straight to Times Square which was 1½ blocks away for a pizza and a beer NY style.

On Thursday morning they visited Ground Zero and the memorial, a very sobering experience, and then took the subway to Battery Park for the ride past the Statue of Liberty on the Staten Island ferry.

Thursday afternoon saw the team heading off by train to the Imperial Dragon Hombu Dojo, the headquarters of Hanshi Myron Lubitsch’s Kenryukan Karatedo School in Jamaica Ave, Brooklyn. They were met by Hanshi Myron and after welcomes all round and Shihan Jim renewing old friendships, Sempai Dee and Tasshi Tony were introduced to Shihan Troy Lester 6^th Dan, Shihan Vincent Capers Jr 6^th Dan and Renshi Big Al Gonzalez 5^th Dan plus a host of other karateka from the Hombu Dojo.

The team enjoyed a good training session with everyone there and also had the chance to view some of Hanshi Myron’s students go through their paces for the upcoming tournament. The team then went for dinner with Hanshi Myron, Shihan Troy, Shihan Vincent and Renshi Big Al. Great people, excellent dinner.

It was a very early start for the team on Tournament day, Saturday, to ensure they were on time. The venue for the competition was a large timber floored basketball hall at a High School in Middle Village. The floor area had been setup to handle the 10 rings and close to 300 competitors.

It is amazing to see such a large hall with that many people, all Shorinjiryu. As Hanshi Myron proudly proclaimed, this special event was supported by 17 different schools of Shorinjiryu. The line up for the bow in was a sight to be seen with four (4) 9^th Dans heading the line followed by a couple of 8^th Dans, a handful of 7^th Dans, a group of 6^th Dans followed by the 5^th and 4^th Dans.

After the bow in, the opening ceremony began with presentations to a range of senior karateka, recognitions for long service and dedication to Shorinjiryu and the Shinzen.  Shihan Jim was presented with a special appreciation award by Hanshi Myron. This was followed by a resounding session with a group playing the drums. This was an outstanding ceremony with lots of pride and emotion.

The tournament began with the black belt kata divisions so the black belts could then officiate throughout the day. The first division was the over 50’s kata of which Tasshi Tony was a competitor. In a large field, he was able to achieve a well deserved 4^th place trophy. Obviously he was very happy with the result.

Sempai Dee had to wait till midday before she was able to perform her weapons and kata for which she also received a 4^th place trophy and 5^th place medallion respectively, both in strong fields. These were excellent achievements for Sempai Dee  and Tasshi Tony in their first international tournament.

During the rest of the day both Shihan Jim and Tasshi Tony officiated at the tournament and used any free time to meet as many other karateka that they could. Sempai Dee was very conspicuous taking lots of photos of the tournament and people in general. The tournament finished around 5pm with the sun still up, proving a well organised and efficient team were running this large event.

We all left and arranged to meet later for the evening formal dinner being held at the Roma View function centre, Howards Beach. Just on 200 people attended this function, which was just superb. The camaraderie shown by all was outstanding and testament to the continued support of the Shinzen in it’s 25 years.

The evening was a combination of awards, presentations, meeting people, reliving old memories, making new ones, music and dancing.  Shihan Jim and Tasshi Tony were presented with beautiful trophy cups to commemorate their most recent promotions and Shihan Jim presented Hanshi Myron with a nice katana on behalf of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo in appreciation of the great work he has done over many years unifying Shorinjiryu worldwide. Hanshi Myron is a true friend and mentor of Koshinkai Australia. Around 1:30am on Sunday, the team wearily took their Lincoln town car and headed back to the apartment very late and tired but very happy.

The remainder of the time the team spent in New York was filled with doing the “touristy things” like visiting the Empire State Building, Central Park, Central Station, Rockefeller Centre, shopping on 5^th Avenue and walking the Brooklyn Bridge. They attended a Broadway show, seeing Brooke Shields in the Addams family. Tasshi Tony managed to sneak in a visit through the Apple Centre in New York and took some photos to show off to Shihan Max and Renshi Des, who will be extremely jealous. The Columbus Day Parade was a highlight as was Canal Street, China Town and Little Italy. A great days haggling was had by all.

All in all, this was a very enlightening and satisfying trip for the team members. For those of you who haven’t taken the chance to visit a Shorinjiryu Shinzen Shiai yet, start saving now as you won’t regret it. 

Black Belt of the Year 2011

Each year consideration is given for the award of a Black Belt of the Year within Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo Australia. Nominations are invited from the various Dojo Instructors, with those nominations reviewed by Shihan Jim, Shihan Max and the senior advisory council. This award is made at the Annual Black Belt Camp, which was held this year over the weekend of 20-21 August 2011.

For this years award, five individuals were nominated for the Black Belt of the Year. Each of these individuals is very committed to Shorinjiryu, and is a consistent contributor to various events and aspects of the organisation. A range of excellent input was provided in support of these nominations, and any one of the nominees would make an excellent Black Belt of the Year. 

On behalf of Shihan Jim and Shihan Max, I was pleased to announce that the Black Belt of the Year award for 2011 went to Sensei Dean McKernan of the Kensuukan Dojo. The below information is copied from nominations received for Sensei Tony:

Sensei Dean's personal karate technique is outstanding and he takes great pride in the development of our style - a future leader of Koshinki.

Dean is only 25 years of age, but has taken on the responsibility of running the local club, both training students and organising sessions.

Sensei Dean has also been instrumental in organising the annual Black Belt Camp at Pilliga Pottery for the past three years.

Please join us in congratulating Sensei Dean on his well deserved award of Black Belt of the Year.

Yudansha Promotions August 2011

At the annual Black Belt Training Camp in August 2011, five candidates provided their final presentations towards their advancement. It is with great pleasure that the following individuals were presented with their certificates of rank, following the excellent progress made through diligent study of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo.

Promoted to Shodan - 1st Dan Black Belt

• James Bowden (Kensuukan Dojo)
• Joanna Choe (Kengokan Dojo)
• Anne Kratzmann (Kazoku Dojo) 

Promoted to Nidan - 2nd Dan Black Belt

• John McDonnell (Seiryukan Dojo)

Promoted to Sandan - 3rd Dan Black Belt

• Dean McKernan (Kensuukan Dojo)

The successful new black belts - Anne Kratzmann, Joanna Choe, James Bowden, John McDonnell and Dean McKernan

Black Belt Camp 2011

The weekend of 20-21 August 2011 saw black and brown belt practitioners of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo gather at Pilliga Pottery near Coonabarabran for the annual Black Belt Training Camp. Instructors and karateka represented every dojo, with participants coming from Rockhampton, Murgon, Bribie Island, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and of course Coonabarabran. Most arrived on Friday evening for some relaxing catch up and delicious home made pizza!

The proceedings started at 6.15am on Saturday with an early morning session on sword, with Shihan Jim Griffin revising basics of sword, and leading us through the sword kata Gokyoku no Ken. This early session was a great way to get the mind engaged (important when holding a sharp metal weapon), and also set the scene for the nature of the camp.

After breakfast, Renshi Des Paroz lead the group on the first of the new self defence routines being phased into Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo. These first five defences are based on the kata Naihanchin Sho, and are based on 5 common self defence attacks - a push, two different chokes, an arm bar and a double wrist grab. The session culminated in a short drill (Naihanchin Sho Waza) that was enthusiastically received by all. It was decided that this drill, not the five individual defences, would be what is examinable at future promotions for yellow belt.

After a short break, Tasshi Graeme Bowden and Shihan Max Estens re-introduced the yakusoku kumite called Randori Kumite Go, which is being phased back into our syllabus. Tasshi Bowdo provided a good overview of the types and purposes of yakusoku kumite, and a load of good information on technique, setup and more. Everyone got a lot out of this session, and we all benefited from the perspective on kumite.

The next session saw Shihan Jim and Shihan Max lead us through another yakusoku kumite that is being reinstated into our syllabus - Randori Kumite Ni. As with Randori Kumite Go, all present were excited that this is once again part of our syllabus.

The final formal training session of the day saw Renshi Des work through the second of self defences. These 8 sequences are taken from the kata Happiken, and will now become the yellow-to-orange belt grading curricul for self defences.

Following this session, we had an "open floor" session where all the karateka present could work on anything they wanted, and be able to get advice on particular things from their peers and seniors. Some revised material from that day, some reviewed advanced material they rarely get to work on (particularly with a senior present), and some polished their demonstrations for the yudansha grading.

After this, 5 karateka provided their demonstrations for their promotions, which was immediately followed by the presentation of certificates and belts, and the traditional sake ceremony. Instead of sake, Shihan Jim provided an unforgettable green plum wine. At the same time, a couple of presentations were made, including the presentation of the Black Belt of the Year, and a special presentation to Maria Rickert of Pilliga Pottery by Renshi Lesley Griffin, in appreciation of the great venue and hospitality provided each year.

After a delicious dinner of kangaroo goulash, a short discussion session on kata bunkai. Many sleepy karateka got an early night, with only a couple enjoying a quiet glass of port.

Sunday morning again started early (6.30am) with a run through of the jo kata Kudaka no Jo. Lead by Tasshi Tony Fletcher and Renshi Des, this revision was important to cement this kata's practice into our syllabus as one of our early weapons forms.

Next up Shihan Max lead the group through the kata Kusanku Sho (previously known as Koshiki Kusanku or Koshiki Kusoku). This kata is also being reinstated into our syllabus, so it was a great opportunity to get all yudansha on the same page with this advanced form. 

The final session before the formal close of the camp saw Renshi Des and Shihan Max lead the group through the third new set of self defences. Again consisting of 8 sequences, these are all taken from the kata Nijushiho, and involve defences against knife attacks. These are being introduced as the self defences curriculum for those progressing from orange to green belt.

This was the final session, with many people leaving after lunch to begin their drives home. Some individuals stayed back to participate in videoing the new self defence sequences, which are being made available to all yudansha through our Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Vimeo Group.

The 2011 Black Belt Training Camp was a real highlight for all present. All agreed that a lot of material was covered, yet they felt the pace was appropriate to ensuring they will retain the material so they can further work on it in their various dojo. The food and venue were once again excellent, and our thanks go to Maria Rickert, Sensei Johannes Rickert and the Pilliga Pottery family for their amazing hospitality.

National Training Camp 8-10 April 2011

The inaugural National Training Camp for the School of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Australia, commenced on Friday the 8th April 2011 with a training session by our guest instructor Patrick McCarthy Sensei for our Brown and Black Belt members. The afternoon saw a range of historical topics covered and various self-defence scenarios all entwined around the main lesson of Katana basics.

Saturday kicked off with Sensei Tony Fletcher taking the early morning session of Naihanchin no sho kata before breakfast. Patrick Sensei was then introduced to the main group by Shihan Jim Griffin and we were all taken on a wonderful journey of Naihanchi bunkai / goshinjutsu. It was an enlightening and meaningful lesson that gave us that missing link to connect rhyme and reason to our kata.

Sat afternoon Shihan Jim re-introduced Gokyo no Kumite. We went through Dai Ikkyo, Nikyo, Sankyo, Yonkyo and Gokyo Te series before heading away to have our AGM at which the National Executive Committee was elected. The Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association Inc Executive Committee are:

President                  Renshi Des Paroz

Vice President           Tasshi Tony Fletcher

Treasurer                 Shihan Jim Griffin

Secretary                 Renshi Lesley Griffin

Councilor                  Shihan Max Estens

After the Sat evening meal, Renshi Des took everyone through a very informative historical and philosophical lesson answering lots of questions along the way. Following this, the Yudansha testing took place commencing around 8:00pm. After a two and a half hour testing period the following Yudansha were advised of their results:

Tony Fletcher            promoted to Yondan and awarded the Title of Tasshi

Leanne Sippel           promoted to Nidan

Anne Kratzman         achieved Shodan-ho

Joanna Choe             achieved Shodan-ho

James Bowden          achieved Shodan-ho

John McDonnell         tested for stage one Nidan

A Sake ceremony finished off the night in more ways than one after an excellent evening of hard work, lots of sweat and joyous celebration for the excellent gradings.

Sunday morning another early session was taken by Renshi Des who went through Kadaka no Jo with the seniors and the juniors going through revision of the Gokyo’s. After breakfast Renshi Des took everyone through a bunkai / goshinjutsu session relating to Kata Happiken. Again, similar to what Patrick Sensei delivered; this was very informative, enlightening and meaningful lesson.

Shihan Jim and Shihan Max then took us all through the Ashi series of the Gokyo no Kumite. Like the Te series, it was great to revisit these Kumite and everyone has received the re-introduction of the whole Gokyo series with great enthusiasm.

After our formal bow out, photo’s taken by anyone and everyone, we all headed of to have lunch and then packed up for the long journey home. An excellent training camp for Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo and there will be many more to follow. See you all next year.

Domo Arigato