Winter is not everyone’s favourite time of year, but there has to be at least one shining light the other side of Xmas. We always hope that for Shikukai, the annual Winter Course provides some respite from the short days and the grim cold evenings.
This time, to shake everyone out of their complacency, we decided to shift the venue. Our thinking was that we had been getting too cosy over the last few years, and so felt a need to go out on a limb and upgrade.
Bishop Stortford is technically in Hertfordshire, but only just, (the Essex border is actually in the southern outskirts of the town). But what was crucial for us was the location of two first class training venues and the convenience of Stansted airport. In fact, a large group of us stayed at the Novotel Hotel at Stansted, and it was easy enough to cadge lifts to the venues, or even take a short regular bus ride from the hotel to the centre of Bishop Stortford.
Relaxation time at the Novotel Stansted.
The unofficial start to the Winter Course.
Following the pattern of previous years, we had organised for Thursday and Friday training for people who had travelled a long way to really maximise on their Dojo time. Across the weekend this all added up to a potential thirteen hours of training.
The training this time was at the very new and spacious sports hall of Hockerill College. The underfloor heating gave more of a feeling of July than February, but we soon learned to engineer some appropriate ventilation.
For these two (early) days training I was following a strict brief directed to me by Sugasawa Sensei. He was adamant that we should be securing a firm base in our Kihon and really hammering home the key principles. We found time to explore kata Pinan Shodan, as well as some of the Kihon Gumite.
Saturday and Sunday, the ‘official’ beginning of the course.
The main event was at the Bishops Stortford Judokwai,situatedat the Herts & Essex Sport Centre. This is a large, purpose-built, matted Dojo; a perfect space and surface on which to train.
The instruction team (other than myself) were; Steve Rawson Sensei, 7th Dan, Pam Rawson Sensei, 7th Dan, Richard Barham Sensei, 6th Dan and Rob Selby Sensei 5th Dan. Sugasawa Sensei came in on the Sunday offering specific guidance to the Dan grade candidates.
Richard Barham Sensei teaching the senior grades on the Saturday.
Shikukai students had come from all parts of the UK, but we also had contingents from Hungary, Czechia, France and a large group from the Netherlands.
Across the two days, kyu grades and Dan grades worked with the various instructors through relevant kata and kumite. Though we wanted to take advantage of the matted surface and had planned to include more technical content that involved nage waza (throwing techniques).
On Saturday Steve and Pam Rawson focussed the Dan grades on Kihon Gumite No. 5 and added extra throwing techniques to continue the theme.
Pam Rawson Sensei, teaching Kihon Gumite No. 5 to Mark Troman and Mark Gillis.
For the additional (optional) hour at the end of the day, I taught Wado Idori (kneeling defence) supported by specifically Wado Tehodoki (hand release method).
Development from Tehodoki.
Senior students from the Netherlands training in Idori.
All of these throwing techniques were conducted with safety in mind, and enabled students to train to their own level and build confidence in Ukemi.
Rob Selby Sensei inflicting pain on one of his own students.
This was reinforced on the Sunday when it was my turn to teach the Dan grades Kihon Gumite No. 10, which incorporates an over-the-top throw featuring a specific entry, sometimes referred to as Kinukuguri.
All weekend the main thrust remained with Kihon and the correct methods of movement and body mechanics. We were fortunate to have such high-level instructors, who go to great pains to explain the technical demands, characteristic of pure Wado methodology.
I am confident that the students came away with a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience; enough to enable them to move forward on this difficult, demanding but rich journey called Wado Karate.
None of this would have happened if it were not for the inspiration of our chief instructor F. Sugasawa Sensei 7th Dan, and the supremely experienced and dedicated team of instructors teaching across the weekend.
But, spare a thought for the quiet and efficient engine running behind the organisation of the entire event. This was the few dedicated members of Shouwa Jyuku, Teresa Claxton, John Ebel, and Sue Dodd, (as well as the local connection who chipped in when needed; thank you Mark Troman), but all of it masterminded by the unflappable Steve Thain.
But… a massive thanks to everyone who turned up for the training. Without you, weekends like this wouldn’t happen.
Dan grading result:
Congratulations to Attila Jakab, Chief instructor of the Genki Dojo (Shikukai) in Hungary, for achieving the level of 4th Dan.
Remember to set your 2026 calendar for the same time next year.
Shikukai events are being added to the calendar regularly. Keep up to date by visiting: https://shikukai.com/courses/
Tim Shaw
Shikukai Karate-Do International 