The first session of the weekend took place on Friday evening for two hours of hard training led by Kagawa Shihan. The main focus of this session was on Kihon and core principles of techniques very commonly used in kihon training. Kagawa Shihan placed great emphasise on relaxation and body action in generating power through the shoulder joint for techniques such as Choku-Zuki and Gyaku-Zuki. He also stressed the importance of a correct hikite for optimising fluidity of movement and a strong kime when completing techniques. The session also included a range of kumite drills focussing on partner work with Gohon kumite drills. Again, Shihan highlighted the importance of relaxation in executing techniques to ensure effective strikes and blocks (such as whipping the arm upwards by utilising the shoulder joint for an Age-uke block).
On Friday 17th of May, a small contingent of JKS Wales members, flew out to Dublin, Ireland for a weekend of training with the JKS Chief Instructor Masao Kagawa Shihan (9th Dan) hosted by Dermot O’Keefe Sensei of JKS Ireland. Training took place across the three-day course at the sports complex of Dublin City University.
JKS Wales attends Three-Day Training Weekend with Kagawa Shihan in Dublin, Ireland.
The following morning brought the second session of the weekend, again with a masterclass of Kihon training. This session started with compounding sequences starting with Gyaku-Zuki executed in various directions and tempos. Kagawa Shihan repeatedly explained the upmost importance of utilising the hips to effectively rotate the body and generate power without compromising speed. These techniques were then supplemented with the addition of kicks including Mae-Geri, Yoko-Geri Keage and Ushiro-Geri. This was to highlight the importance of efficient hip rotation when executing multiple techniques in rapid succession, without compromising fluidity of movement or not performing complete rechambering of the leg following the kicks (Hikiashi). Kagawa Shihan then moved onto various Katas including Heian Nidan-Godan, Tekki Shodan and Bassai Dai. Shihan provided pivotal insight into key aspects of these kata in order to perform them effectively, whilst demonstrating and explaining their practical applications (Bunkai). After a short lunch break, the senior Kyu grades and Dan grades had a kata masterclass covering the late Asai Sensei’s Junro kata series which has become a crucial element of the JKS syllabus, as well as covering Kakuyoko Shodan, a Koten or ‘ancient’ kata.
Sunday morning brought the last day of the training weekend in Dublin with a tough but rewarding three-hour session. The session began with more kihon training, again to reiterate that without Kihon, there is no Karate. Kagawa Shihan explained on numerous occasions that there are ‘good’ levels of karate, but there are always ‘higher’ levels that all should always strive for. This included rapid delivery of successive techniques without compromising factors such as hip rotation and quality of stances as demonstrated with combinations such as Soto-uke + Gyaku-Zuki and Uchi-uke + Gyaku-Zuki whilst moving forwards or backwards at speed. Kagawa Shihan went on superbly demonstrate a variety of kicking techniques including Ura-Mawashi-Geri and Uchi-Mawashi-Geri, explaining their correct form and effective uses. As well as physical techniques, Kagawa Shihan demonstrated his knowledge and experience by explaining concepts such as ‘Zanshin’. Shihan described that this is a state of ‘objective awareness’ where the individual is focussed without distraction from emotion or thought. He further explained that Zanshin is a concept that should be applied to everyday life: remaining alert and present in all situations and moments.
“Zanshin: this is Karate. This is life.”
This session was concluded with an extensive look and demonstration in Jion and Kakuyoko Nidan. Kagawa Shihan explained that Kakuyoko Nidan, like other kata and even kumite, can be likened to the motion of the tide, moving back and forth – pulling back gracefully before crashing powerfully forward.
The entire weekend was a masterclass from start to finish with Kagawa Shihan providing incredible insight, knowledge and expertise accompanied by his excellent demonstration of techniques and movements. JKS Wales would like to deeply express their gratitude and appreciation for the organisation of the weekend by Dermot O’Keefe Sensei and JKS Ireland. It was wonderful to catch up with old friends and make new ones from different parts of the JKS family to also attended the weekend from Scotland, Denmark, and Italy.
