SUIGETSU RYU KARATE JUTSU

NEWSLETTER

JULY 2016

VOL 1 ISSUE 1

WELCOME This issue marks the 5th anniversary of our doujou. About five years ago, Suigetsu Ryu Karate Jutsu was established to essentially provide an opportunity for our chief instructor to pass on and practice bujutsu according to his experience and perspective. Along the way, we have maintained a purposefully small, but tight-knit and stable, member base. Over time, new students have joined us where there has been a genuine interest in our approach. This common interest and shared sense of purpose is what helps define our doujou. We are also fortunate to have established a dedicated group of students who are successfully complimenting their training in various other doujou. We are happy to help provide additional benefits to their broader training. Being non-commercial and adult-based has certainly helped our doujou to maintain a unique focus on specific Goju Ryu Karatedo, Shinto Tenshin Ryu Taijutsu and Tanbojutsu, and Asayama Ichiden Ryu Hassun Hishigijutsu methods and historical origins. At the same time, our syllabus and training approach has stood firm against the modern benchmarks of the Japan Karatedo Federation Goju Kai. We are certainly proud to be a part of this illustrious karate Federation, where we continue to develop under the guidance of numerous senior karate exponents.

We have enjoyed a number of fantastic seminars this year. In particular, training with Seiichi Fujiwara Hanshi (8th Dan, President Goju Ryu Karatedo Seiwakai) gave us a great opportunity to discipline our karate training. Following this was the Japan Karatedo Federation Goju Kai Australian National Championships for 2016, which included a thoroughly informative kata seminar, led by the brilliant Shigenori Sato Hashi (8th Dan). At a youthful 62 years of age, William successfully tested for shodan with the Japan Karatedo Federation Goju Kai. In doing so, all Suigetsu Ryu Karate Jutsu yudansha now currently hold Federation dan ranking. For the remainder of the year, we will no doubt continue to do what we all enjoy – putting in our best efforts to learn more, understand more fully, apply more confidently, and by the end of the year, to be better than we were at the start.

“THOUGH HE MOVES THROUGH THE WORLD ALL DAY LONG, HE HIMSELF IS UNMOVABLE.” - YAGYU MUNENORI YAGYU SHINKAGE RYU

Mugen Juku – Chiba, Japan Courtesy, respect, etiquette, humility

SUIGETSU RYU KARATE JUTSU

KATA SEMINARS JULY 2016

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GOJU RYU KARATEDO SEIWAKAI On 2nd and 3rd April this year, Seiichi Fujiwara Hanshi conducted a series of Goju Ryu Karatedo Seiwakai seminars. It was great to train alongside our Seiwakai friends from other doujou. A variety of training was on offer. Ido kihon training focused on the development of kata and kumite skills, as well as being a solid physical development activity of its own accord. Kata training worked through to Sanseru, with a significant amount of time spent working the kumite application of kata movements and techniques. The seminar series also provided a nice glimpse of what training in Japan is like for those who are yet to venture over there.

JAPAN KARATEDO FEDERATION GOJU KAI On 8th and 9th April, Shigenori Sato 8th Dan Hanshi, Shinji Fushimi 8th Dan Hanshi, Seiichi Fujiwara 8th Dan Hanshi and Masao Tada 8th Dan Hanshi conducted the 2016 kata seminar. Sato Sensei was outstanding as the leader of this brilliant seminar. Many people commented that it was one of the best seminars they had participated in and we would certainly agree! Efforts were made to ensure all members understood and practiced Goju Ryu Karate junbi undo. It was also nice that people could participate in kata groups senior to their rank. Looking ahead, the success of this seminar should help to strengthen the bonds of JKF Goju Kai Australia. Congratulations to William for passing shodan at the end of the seminar.

Goju Ryu Karatedo Seiwakai seminars Photo below by Alan Wilkes

Japan Karatedo Federation Goju Kai seminar Photo by Alan Wilkes

“SPENDING YEARS MASTERING JUDO SIMPLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF REPELLING AN ATTACK IS FOOLISH.” - JIGORO KANO FOUNDER: KODOKAN JUDO

SUIGETSU RYU KARATE JUTSU

WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY

JULY 2016

VOL 1 ISSUE 1

SOJI – CLEANING Cleaning the doujou is something that Suigetsu Ryu Karate Karate Jutsu takes seriously. Given that other groups also use our venue, we tend to commence our nights with a cleaning routine. Our chief instructor also takes time to initially sweep the doujou floor, usually before anyone else arrives. With soji, the more hands the better! Every member helps to clean the floor with a zoukin (cloth or rag used for cleaning). We rinse the zoukin in water before and after cleaning. Soji has a few purposes. In a communal sense, it brings us together as a team and doujou. As it is part of our routine, it also builds a sense of responsibility in us. Most importantly, the activity is for everyone, and nobody is above this. That is how soji helps to develop our humility.

場を浄める (清める) ‘ba wo kiyomeru’

At the family doujou of Mugen Juku, in Chiba, Japan, Kenichiro Ikeda Sensei (8th Dan) has hung a banner that, in part, reminds his students about the importance of cleanliness. The banner is shown in the photo above. All students, regardless of age or rank, participate in a rigorous cleaning of the whole doujou after training. In fact, the activity of communal cleaning is not uncommon in other aspects of Japanese culture. 場を浄める (清める) or, ‘ba wo kiyomeru’ literally means to purify the place. In essence, this means to clean up and keep tidy. Ikeda Sensei applies this in the context of cleaning the doujou. Through soji, the student doing the cleaning can become a considerate person, polishing their heart and soul, developing modesty, and fostering a feeling of appreciation. Next time you’re cleaning the doujou, remember that, once you overcome the immediate difficulties of pushing the zoukin along the floor, there is an underlying greater good that the activity is propagating in you.

“HELP CLEAN THE CHANGING ROOM, SHOWER, RECEPTION, AND PORTAL” - SHOSHIN NAGAMINE FOUNDER: MATSUBAYASHI RYU KARATE-DO

Soji at Suigetsu Ryu Karate Jutsu

JULY 2016

VOL 1 ISSUE 1

TESTING RESULTS Our black belt members continue to shine by world standards. It is confronting to put oneself up for external and Japanese testing panel critique. However, earlier this year, recognition of Japan Karatedo Federation Goju Kai testing success was received by:

• William Watson – Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt)

WHERE TO FIND US

“THE ENEMY DOES NOT SEE ME. I DO NOT SEE THE ENEMY.” - TAKUAN SOHO ZEN MONK

Doujou Street Location Presbyterian Church (rear hall) 28 Macgregor Street, Wilston, Brisbane

CONTACT US Email: suigetsuryukaratejutsu@hotmail.com Internet: www.suigesturyu.com © Suigetsyu Ryu Karate Jutsu 2016 All rights reserved.