It’s always been a bit of a tradition to open up the scheduled Xmas instructor training to all Shikukai members irrespective of grade; this year was no exception.
The venue was Egham Orbit Leisure Centre in Surrey, an excellent location being a very newly-built sports complex and easy to get to.
Although Sensei directed the training, he farmed out some responsibilities to other senior Dan grades. Rob Selby 5th Dan from Devon took us through a good warm up and stretch and Steve Thain 4th Dan from Essex, led training in footwork and movement as specified by Sensei. Here, Sensei was warming into his theme, as he folded in the appreciation of other aspects that were to feature later in the session.
The main subject areas.
Quite a few people had heard of ‘Kobo no Ichi’ as a concept; at one level it looks like a simple exhortation to just be aware that attack and defence are supposed to be one and the same, but as Sensei unpacked it, it became clear that there is more to it than that. To most of us, the main question was, how does this actually manifest itself? Sensei was able to show by examples in kihon and kata what it looks like when Kobo no Ichi is absent. This is always a very useful teaching device, in that showing what something is not helps to explain what it actually is.
‘Kime’ was also a theme that was included in the session. Sensei shared with us his reminiscences and memories of observing the first grandmaster’s actualisation of ‘Kime’ through technique; which was helpful in explaining to us how it works within Wado (as very different to how other styles choose to interpret Kime).
Pinan Shodan acted as a convenient medium to shed light on some of these concepts, as well other technical refinements.
Directly after training the senior instructors joined Sensei for a short meeting, during which Sensei was pleased to point out the steady growth of Shikukai since the pandemic, with significant advances in membership in Europe. This was particularly boosted by the continual outreach of senior Shikukai instructors willing to travel to conduct courses and seminars beyond the boundaries of the UK.
The whole Xmas theme continued with adjournment for all course attendees to a nearby pub/restaurant, the Rose and Crown, Thorpe Village. Excellent service added to a lively atmosphere of good cheer, leaving everyone feeling upbeat and positive about the new year.
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our members and readers.
Tim Shaw
Shikukai Karate-Do International 