Morio Higaonna Sensei instructing in Hong Kong

Footage of Morio Higaonna Sensei giving a seminar in Hong Kong, with subtitles for ease of understanding. The topics include sanchin kata and how to train with the kongoken, chiishi, ishi sashi, and ga-me. He also mentions in passing that many of these tools originally came from China. 

Kanto Seminar

Iwakawa-Sensei teaches the higher Dan grades

The third and final "2015 All Japan Karatedo Goju-Kai Association Kanto Regional Kata Seminar" took place on November 22 at the Minami Nagasaki Sports Center in Tokyo. Senior instructors of Goju-Kai were on hand to offer their advice and guidance. 

The primary purpose of the seminar is to prepare participants for the upcoming black-belt grading examinations to be held in the area on December 6.

As many practitioners train without the benefit of highly experienced and/or knowledgeable instructors, and as the officially recognized guidelines for the "correct" performance of kata are continually refined, the seminars represent an excellent opportunity for all attending to confirm, update and further their understanding of karate.

New Renshukai Schedule for November

Members of Gojuryu Karatedo Yoyogi Ryushinkan continue to train together as "Renshukai," with supervised day-time sessions at Shibuya Sports Center and evening sessions at Shinjuku Sports Center. As the Shinjuku Sports Center will close from November for renovations,  the evening sessions will be held at Heiwadai Municipal Gym on Mondays and and Kami-Itabashi Municipal Gym, on Wednesdays. 

Documentary | Tee - The Spirit of Okinawan Karate

More Tee  - NHK documentary on the history of Okinawan Gojuryu. Interesting stuff.

Tenchi no Kamae / Ninoji no Kamae

These two hand positions are known as Tenchi-no-Kamae and Ninoji-no-Kamae. Tenchi-no-Kamae (above right) is found in the kata Seipai and translates as "heaven and earth," as the palms of the hands face both upward and downward. Ninoji-no-Kamae (above left) is found in the kata Kururunfa and refers to the Chinese character for 2 ("Ni" in Japanese), which the shape and positioning of the hands resemble. In Japanese, these are written respectively 天地の構え and 二の字の構え. "Kamae" means "guard" or, more broadly, "state of readiness."

Change of Venue for "Renshukai"

Members of Gojuryu Karatedo Yoyogi Ryushinkan have continued to train together as "Renshukai," with supervised day-time sessions at Shibuya Sports Center and evening sessions at Shinjuku Sports Center. However, Shinjuku Sports Center will close from November for renovations, so new venues for the evening sessions are being sought. The new venues are Heiwadai Municipal Gym and Kami-Itabashi Municipal Gym, both within the 23 wards of Tokyo.

Heiwadai Taiikukan

Kami-itabashi Taiikukan