Shikukai Karate-Do International runs three major courses every year; Winter, Spring and Autumn (see calendar page for details). These courses are open to all Wado karateka whatever their affiliation.
This year, as usual, it was our privilege to host our Winter Course in February in Essex.
Long in the planning, the two-day official training was strongly supported by students from across the UK and the continent. The content of the course covered the fuller spectrum of the Wado karate techniques, as represented on the Shikukai syllabus. All of this was delivered by a strong team of senior instructors, who had carefully designed the delivery of technical knowledge and information, which I know was greatly appreciated by students at all levels.
As usual, there was an ‘unofficial’ start to the course; this was the additional Dojo time organised for those wishing to maximise the training opportunity, particularly those coming from far-flung locations. This took place on the Thursday and Friday at Woodham Walter. These sessions were designed as a kind of primer to the main training, specifically offering extra tuition to those who were planning on grading at the end of the weekend. This meant that the students had accumulated an extra three and a half hours of Dojo time before the course had officially started.
Across the weekend we were privileged to tap into the considerable knowledge of senior instructors Steve and Pam Rawson from Dorset, Richard Barham from Surrey, Rob Selby from Devon and Steve Thain, local instructor, from Essex.
In addition, on the Sunday, Sue Dodd and Richard Barham conducted the training for the younger junior members of Shikukai, with students from Woodham Walter and Hertford.
The themes across the training were rich and varied, but following strict guidance from Sugasawa Sensei, who was insistent that instructors and students paid rigorous attention to the absolute fundamentals of Wado karate.
In addition to essential kihon, we covered the solo kata of Naihanchi, Kushanku, Chinto, Rohai, Jion, as well as an appropriate selection from the Pinan kata.
Add to this the paired kata of kumite gata and kihon gumite, which were covered in some depth across the four days.
The truly international nature of the course was attested to by the presence of students from the Netherlands, Hungary, Czechia (and Japan) all part of the wider Shikukai family.
It wasn’t all about the training; there were opportunities to socialise. On the Friday after class a large group of us descended on the Salero Lounge in Maldon for after-training refreshments. While on Saturday we all went ‘Mexican’, for some excellent food at El Guaca restaurant, again in Maldon.
Grading results, congratulations to:
- 1st Dan, Bence Kepes, Genki Dojo, (Hungary).
- 6th Kyu, Will Doble, of Mushin Jyuku (Devon).
- 1st Kyu, Andrew Skelton, of Kikuwa Jyuku (Chippenham).
- 8th Kyu, Polina Pylypets, of Shouwa Jyuku Kodomo (Essex)
- 6th Kyu, Jamie Richardson, of Bunbu Jyuku (Hertford)
Thanks to:
The amazing instructor team who went beyond the call of duty to deliver the outstanding quality of direction and guidance across the whole weekend.
The support team who seamlessly stitched the weekend together without a single hitch. These were the on-the-ground people who organised lifts, restaurants, advising on accommodation and all of the multiple communication and admin tasks.
Also, (really important) a huge thanks for the continuing support of all the participants. Without you these courses cannot happen. Your continued endorsement of all Shikukai events enables us to go forward and develop this wonderful unique tradition inspired by those who have gone before us and the continual inspiration of our chief instructor, F. Sugasawa Sensei.
Tim Shaw
Instructor at Shouwa Jyuku (Chelmsford).
Shikukai Karate-Do International 