I have been travelling across to the Netherlands now for around a decade; initially with Sugasawa Sensei but more recently to continue the support for Shikukai students who are now well-established within our organisation and continue to thrive through the hard work and dedication of Martijn Schelen de Vries.
Although it had only been a matter of a few weeks since we saw a strong Dutch contingent at the Shikukai Winter Course in the UK, there seems to be no lack of appetite for guidance and instruction. I am always happy to oblige, as the welcome in the Netherlands is second to none and the enthusiasm of the students at all levels is truly infectious.
Friday evening kicked off the training as we meant to go on. As usual I established my themes, but all in negotiation with Martiijn. I am always keen to respond to requests as it is really important that Shikukai students are kept up to date with developments and refinements of the syllabus – we tend to jokingly refer to this as ‘Operating systems updates’, (all directed by Sugasawa Sensei, of course). We find that these are essential, as the Shikukai syllabus and the continued fine-tuning, is an ongoing process.
The Kihon aspect of Friday training was an essential underpinning of everything that was to follow across the weekend.
Kyu grades were set the task of applying timing and distancing in operating two models of the dropping cover/block found in the syllabus; while the seniors worked Kihon Gumite and Kumite Gata.
On Saturday, we had a longer dedicated period unpacking the first part of the solo kata Pinan Godan. For some reason, in all the years I had been coming over I realised we had never been through this particular kata. To introduce the kata, I included broken-down aspects of individual techniques found within the form, and later on kaisetsu (commentary) regarding the implied usage of the covering/protective hands.
This was followed by the junior grades training in Nihon Gumite, while the seniors again explored the various Kihon Gumite and Kumite Gata.
Sunday: another three-hour session. This one was reserved for the kicking techniques, as found in the Shikukai syllabus; inclusive of variations on the back kick (ushiro geri). We also completed the remaining section of Pinan Godan.
Saturday evening; we had time to relax and unwind over an excellent meal, again at the Gorkha Restaurant in Hilversum. We had the opportunity to taste Nepalese wine (a first for me), I had never thought of Nepal as a wine growing part of the world, but apparently the vineyards are some of the highest elevated locations on the planet (2,750m/9,000ft); I’m not enough of an expert to know how that affected the wine.
We somehow managed to cram so much training in across the weekend, which, from my perspective seemed to be over before it began.
We already have plans for the next course in the Netherlands this year. A date in November is already earmarked, more details to follow.
For the next course, Shikukai in the Netherlands (Kenkokai) are keen to invite other Wado practitioners from the UK and Europe, but places will be limited, so get in early once the dates are announced.
For this course, I have produced a series of support notes which will be published on my Substack project, www.budojourneyman.substack.com
A huge thanks to my hosts Martijn and Astrid Schelen de Vries.
Tim Shaw
Shikukai Karate-Do International 