Almost two weeks have passed since Team Finland visited for a weekend gasshuku, giving me a lot to reflect on.
And what a weekend it was. Claremont dojo had Kimura Shukokai hosting Shihan George and his team of 12 karateka for a weekend of training, learning and Budo friendship. The energy on the tatami was electric. Everyone was training for the betterment of the person next to them. We were all on the same mission – to improve.
Shihan Chris said on more than one occasion during the days spent together “This is a once in a lifetime event” and I couldn’t agree more. How often do you get the opportunity to attend a private training session consisting of such high grade karateka and two Shihans?
What I really enjoyed were the similarities between our dojo and the Fins. There was a strong emphasis on technique, not just a shape or a limb driven movement but rather a feeling. Shihan George used the example of the figure 8, always constant, never ending, and likening this to our karate – encouraging us to have one technique flow into the next. He emphasised always being ready with the utmost preparation, using correct body mechanics and gearing for explosive power.
I’ve come away from the gasshuku with a renewed confidence in our style and in our dojo. It’s awesome to see that what we are training and what our senseis are putting emphasis towards are shared by other senior instructors on the other side of the globe. There is hope, longevity and legacy behind Kimura Shukokai and I’m looking forward to the future, with a drive to improve, stronger than ever before.
Cameron Froud | 4th Dan Black Belt