Sensei Brian Toomey, 6th Dan and Sensei Milena Galabova, 3rd dan demonstrate for the class under Sensei's watchful eye. Tuam Karate Club was honoured last weekend to host Shihan Sadashige Kato, 9th dan and IJKA world chief instructor, for the sixth year in a row for the IJKA Ireland Autumn seminar. After the free classes of normal Friday night training in the dojo which were attended by Karateka from several different clubs, the course with Kato Sensei began on Saturday morning in the spacious Milltown community centre. In his usual form, Sensei spent the first class putting all those attending through their paces with some tough kihon drills which challenged everyone technically and physically.
Saturday afternoon involved lots of partner work, especially for the senior grades as Kato Sensei delved into many fundamental Karate concepts such as “ma-ai” (distancing), tai sabaki (body evasion), “zanshin” (awareness/“remaining spirit”), timing, and feigning an opening in one’s guard to lure an enemy in before a counter attack. Just as Sun Tzu said in The art of War over 2,500 years ago – all warfare is based on deception! Kato Sensei's assistant Sensei Milena Galabova, 3rd Dan IJKA Bulgaria and IJKA Kenshusei (trainee instructor) then took some of the juniors for a separate session while the black and brown belts were trained hard as ever by Shihan.
The Sunday morning instructors’ class had the black and brown belts partnered off in groups of three to perform various speed drills involving evasion, defence, and counter attacks as well as dissecting the Asai-Ryu Ha kata, Kakuyoku Shodan with Sensei offering several very important technical details about the Asai style Bujutsu Karate the IJKA promotes. He was also anxious to point out the responsibility that comes with being a senior grade and how important it is that senior grade Karateka not be “too soft” on themselves but rather continue to push themselves hard to attain high levels of ability and understanding. Wise words indeed!
In the all grades class that followed, Kato Sensei had the junior grades partnered off with the black and brown belts for some more partner work and instruction from a senior grade, this time working on defending and countering against various common attacks. Shihan Kato also made some interesting points about the proper mental attitude of a Karateka and how to do the often unexamined ready stance, yoi, correctly. As ever, Sensei kept the pressure on and made sure everyone was giving everything their best throughout another rewarding and educational lesson. The second half of the session dealt with the first two heian katas and took groups of three Karateka at a time out in front of the class to offer corrections and advice on their kata, giving many students a great opportunity to have their katas assessed by a 9th dan master.
As always with Kato Sensei, a similar level of attention was given throughout the weekend and Sensei was quick to offer all participants corrections where needed. Often heard were instructions to “Ree-lax”, move with “more speed” etc. etc. A great weekend of world class tuition from a world renowned master. Tuam Karate Club is really honoured to host such an event and plans are already afoot for next year’s seminar as well as attending the Spring seminar in the IJKA Ireland Hombu (HQ) dojo in Fermoy. Sincere thanks to everyone who attended and who helped organise and run the course. Well done to those who underwent gradings during the course as well. We look forward to training together again soon! OSU!!!
Ben.
Some of the many highlights from the weekend. More photos will be added to the photo gallery page as soon as possible. Lots have already been added to our facebook account.
