Report – Shikukai Spring Course 2024.

Report by Pam Rawson

It is always a pleasure to welcome the Shikukai family and friends to Weymouth & Portland for the annual Spring Course and this year was no exception.

Planning for the event always starts the previous year, with the booking of the venue. This year, proceedings started early, with Sugasawa Sensei, Julie and Steve Chamberlain calling in to the Rawson residence for a spot of lunch and a pre-course chat. Following on from Ken Bu Jyuku’s normal training session later that evening, the Norwegian contingent arrived. Friday saw the arrival of students from across the country in preparation for the first training session that evening.

The theme of the course was ”Bu no Honshitsu wo Mikiwame” (Absorb the essence of Budo)

Friday’s session commenced with an opening speech by Sugasawa Sensei who welcomed and thanked everyone for attending, including Andrew Genery from Kishin Kai Karate and his student, plus the international students. Sensei’s message was that Karate should not be viewed merely as exercise, but a means to acquire knowledge and that “we were all in it together, no matter how hard it may seem.” An hour of basics followed, where the tiniest of detail was scrutinised, culminating in the students working in pairs to practice timing and distance. Sugasawa Sensei gave special attention to the potential Dan Grade candidates, which he continued to do throughout the course.

Prior to training on Saturday morning, Meg Chatterton ran a complimentary Yoga Class for students at a nearby venue. Donations were made to Pancreatic Cancer.

Saturday saw the four senior Shikukai Instructors, Tim Shaw 7th Dan, Steve Chamberlain 7th Dan, Steve Rawson 7th Dan and Pam Rawson 7th Dan take various groups under the watchful eye of Sugasawa Sensei for Kihon, Kata and Pairworks. On Saturday evening the senior Shikukai Club Instructors enjoyed a social meal and gathering at Weymouth’s prestigious sea-view Italian restaurant.

Sunday took on a similar format to Saturday with the senior Shikukai instructors leading various groups with Sugasawa Sensei overseeing the instruction and ensuring no details were overlooked. The 3rd – 1st Kyu group were particularly fortunate in receiving sustained and detailed instruction on Nai Hanchi kata from Sugasawa Sensei.

Monday began with a meeting for the Shikukai Club instructors where it was decided to hold the 2025 course in Weymouth & Portland. Training again was split into groups, with Sugasawa Sensei once more concentrating on the intricacies of Nai Hanchi kata. The senior Dan Grades were tested both physically and mentally with a Tai Sabaki drill comprising of many elements.

All too soon, the four days of training was over. Sensei closed the Course and thanked everyone for attending.

The formal Dan Grading then commenced with four students attaining 1st Dan:

Per Eide (Hoku Sei Jyuku)

Berit Lyngstad (Hoku Sei Jyuku)

Matt Kelly (Ken Bu Jyuku)

George Krethlow Shaw (Shouwa Jyuku)