Guildford Summer Course – 27th – 29th August

28th to 30th August 2009

It was an honour to have JKA Honbu instructors, Sensei Ueki (8th Dan), Sensei Kawawada (7th Dan) and Sensei Imamura (7th Dan) instruct at this year’ Guildford course with JKA-England’ own Sensei Ohta (7th Dan) for a hugely popular summer course.

(Click here to download grade passes)

Day 1 - Friday 27th – The day started with a call to line up by Ohta Sensei 7th Dan, Chief Instructor of JKA England. Everyone keenly shuffled into place, excited to see Sensei again. Adel Ismail 5th Dan, JKA England’s Technical Director took everyone through a thorough warm up and then we were ready to begin.

Dividing the group of several hundred down the middle, Imamura Sensei 7th Dan from JKA Headquarters commanded everyone’s attention and focused on stances, posture and core tension. All the while Kawawada Sensei 7th Dan and Ueki Sensei 8th Dan roamed amongst the karate-ka correcting mistakes and offering encouragement.

With the day now well under way, attention turned to punching and blocking with Imamura Sensei expecting only the best from us and asking for both speed and precision.

After a short rehydration break, the now eager crowd was separated into smaller groups. Ohta Sensei emphasized weight distribution and how it applied to our kata. Leading by example, Ohta Sensei demonstrated the techniques he wanted us to attempt, pushing us to try harder yet at the same time helping our confidence grow.

Finally, after another quick break we got to see first-hand The Chief Instructor of JKA, Ueki Sensei. Combining what we had learned in the other classes, he took us through the Heian Kata, making sure we understood both the moves and the reasons behind them.

I left the Guildford Spectrum tired, slight stiff but happy and really looking forward to the next day of training.

By Jim Gartlan 9th kyu

Day 2 – Saturday 28th - After a warm up by Roy Tomlin (5th Dan), Sensei Kawawda took the basics focusing on timing of kicking techniques and the importance of the hip and weight movement to the supporting leg when executing the movements.

After a short break this was followed by Sensei Imamura demonstrating Kanku Dai. An excellent lesson and intuitive lesson by highlighting the correct 42nd movement - migi ura zuki) and other notable points.

Sensei Kawawada then went through Sochin, noting that this kata is placing great emphasis on stance. Once useful point was the tricky sequence (25-30th moves) from migi jodan yoko nukite through to migi gedan uke. He noted that first practice the hand movements, then together with feet, and finally, add the stance (sochin). Sensei also reiterated the transfer of power to the supporting leg is key in effective techniques. Sensei Ueki also took the 1st and 2nd Dan grades at the same time, who also practiced Sochin. As Sensei Kawawada’s class finished slightly early, the senior grades watched impressively as some of the students demonstrated their kata.

Finally, those Instructors who had recently passed their JKA international licences also had to perform their Kata in front of class.

Day 3 – Sunday 29th – The warm up (taken by Gary Stewart 5th Dan) was followed by Sensei Ueki taking what was a fantastic lesson in kumite. Slowly building up techniques and combinations until the lesson culminated in the whole class adapting kumite to their own needs. It was a great sight to watch as people tried different techniques and combinations.

This was followed by Sensei Kawawada showing the dan grades the finer points of Jion. This was a very well constructed class, taking each point in turn and slowly and carefully explain each important point in turn. One memorable point was the turning moves, placing emphasis on turning on the heel and allowing students to turn on the ball of the foot and make a comparison of the results.

Sensei Ueki took the senior grades through Gojushiho Sho and took each point in turn, especially migi shihon nukite and related timing of subsequent movements. Sensei’s skill in this kata was impressive and demonstrated to an awe struck class on a number of occasions. A thoroughly enjoyable class.

After the lesson had finished, those students who had previous passed their Dan gradings were presented with their certificates from Sensei Ueki personally.

Click here to download grade passes

Click here for Images

Course Photos Additional course photos can be found at our online photo album (Photobucket) Images

JKA W/F FederationIt wouldn’t be a JKA course without the close friendships of our JKA Worldwide Federation member countries. We’d like to say a huge thanks to all those member countries who could attend this summer course. As always, you are our welcomed guests and that you enjoyed both the training and the friendships that the course brings together. We like to specifically thank the associations from, JKA Norway, JKA Karate Do (Scotland), JKA Ireland, JKA Germany, JKA France, JKA Spain, JKA Malta, JKA Brazil

By John Harvie – JKA England