Ryukyu Martial Arts Friendship Gasshuku

[Wastelander]

This weekend was our Ryukyu Martial Arts Friendship Gasshuku, which was an event I put together with the intent of getting martial artists together to learn and train in a variety of martial arts from the Ryukyu islands. I have never put anything like this together, before, but I think it went pretty well! Everyone said they enjoyed it, and found value in the material presented, and are looking forward to the next one.

We started on Friday night, when I taught a three hour session on KishimotoDi, which is a small, rare style of Shuri-te that is in danger of dying out if it isn't spread. Here are some photos from that session--the link goes to Facebook, but you shouldn't need an account to see them.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1014485815263485.1073741844.121994281179314&type=1&l=cd6e1fd233

On Saturday, we got started with a session on Pinan Godan bunkai with Ryan Parker Sensei, who has been working hard to spread old Okinawan karate through various internet mediums for years, now. After that, we had a session with Chuck Merriman Sensei, who is a Judan (10th-dan) in Goju-Ryu, and he gave a lecture on the principles and history of Goju-Ryu, followed by some partner drills and kakie. Finally, we had an open exchange session, where people were free to train together in any fashion they wanted, and we also took turns teaching techniques to the group. After training, several of us went out to Hiro Sushi, which is a local restaurant run by an Okinawan family who love karateka and serve excellent food. Here are photos from that day:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1014845155227551.1073741845.121994281179314&type=1&l=4bb7bdab55

My favorite picture from Saturday is probably this one, taken at Hiro Sushi. Left to right: me, Don Bratton, Ryan Parker, Richard Poage, Matt Sheridan, Ed Dinardo, and Chuck Merriman.

http://s3.postimg.org/x19lbbnab/hiro_sushi.jpg

On Sunday, we kicked the morning off with Raphael Gutierrez Sensei teaching Yamane-Ryu kobudo--specifically, he taught Shuji no Kon, and some associated drills. After that, Ed Sumner Sensei taught Goju-Ryu kata bunkai for Sanchin and Seiyunchin, and then went into some footwork and kumite drills. Finally, my Sensei--Richard Poage--taught a session that started off with some hand-speed drills based on kata movements, and then continued on into a variety of kata applications. Here are photos from that day:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1015198211858912.1073741846.121994281179314&type=1&l=51ad858ff3

I know I had a great time, and I am sore all over! Hopefully next year the event is even better!

Edited October 20, 2015 by Wastelander

[sensei8]

I sure do appreciate you taking the time to post the information, as well as the FB links filled with some great photos. Thank you, Noah!!

On a side bar...I'm deeply sorry that I wasn't able to fulfill my desires to join this wonderful event both as a student, and as one of the instructors over one of the seminars. Please pass my deepest apologize to those who sponsored this event, as well as to the other instructors, and last, but not least, to the students who attended this special event, for not being able to honor my commitment. It was certainly my loss for not having attended.

SORRY, for my absence!!

[Wastelander]

I sure do appreciate you taking the time to post the information, as well as the FB links filled with some great photos. Thank you, Noah!!

On a side bar...I'm deeply sorry that I wasn't able to fulfill my desires to join this wonderful event both as a student, and as one of the instructors over one of the seminars. Please pass my deepest apologize to those who sponsored this event, as well as to the other instructors, and last, but not least, to the students who attended this special event, for not being able to honor my commitment. It was certainly my loss for not having attended.

SORRY, for my absence!!

I'm happy to share! It would have been great if you could come, but you have nothing to apologize for--things happen. Hopefully you can make it next time!

[sensei8]

I sure do appreciate you taking the time to post the information, as well as the FB links filled with some great photos. Thank you, Noah!!

On a side bar...I'm deeply sorry that I wasn't able to fulfill my desires to join this wonderful event both as a student, and as one of the instructors over one of the seminars. Please pass my deepest apologize to those who sponsored this event, as well as to the other instructors, and last, but not least, to the students who attended this special event, for not being able to honor my commitment. It was certainly my loss for not having attended.

SORRY, for my absence!!

I'm happy to share! It would have been great if you could come, but you have nothing to apologize for--things happen. Hopefully you can make it next time!

Thank you, Noah...THANK YOU!! Hopefully, my sister's health will improve before the next time of the gathering.

[JR 137]

I'd love it if someone did something like that in my neck of the woods. Too many egos in a relatively small area. The Albany-Schenectady-Troy area has a little under 900,000 people (number seems a bit high to me), with MA schools everywhere, and just about every CI does everything right and the rest do everything wrong.

My old sensei does this type of thing, but the presenters are pulled from further away for the most part, and he doesn't advertise it; it's open to his and the other presenters' students. I think he hosts one a year, and it's usually a 1 day thing.

[sensei8]

Noah,

Others here might not be aware of where this event took place! Could you please tell KF members where this was held! Thanks!!

[JR 137]

Noah,

Others here might not be aware of where this event took place! Could you please tell KF members where this was held! Thanks!!

I figured it was at his dojo in Phoenix or the surrounding area. To add to Sensei's post, where were the presenters from? How many presenters? How many non-presenting students? Cost?

[Montana]

Another bummer here from me that I would have loved to participate in something like this also. I think it's rare that Okinawan stylists get together like this to share their knowledge.

[Wastelander]

Noah,

Others here might not be aware of where this event took place! Could you please tell KF members where this was held! Thanks!!

I figured it was at his dojo in Phoenix or the surrounding area. To add to Sensei's post, where were the presenters from? How many presenters? How many non-presenting students? Cost?

Yes, we held it at our dojo in Scottsdale, AZ. We had presenters from Minnesota, California, and Arizona, with a total of 6 instructors. The number of students fluctuated from day to day, as not everyone could attend the entire event. We had some people have to cancel at the last minute, which was unfortunate, but I think next year will be bigger.

Another bummer here from me that I would have loved to participate in something like this also. I think it's rare that Okinawan stylists get together like this to share their knowledge.

Well, plan ahead for next year! I think we'll do it in November or December instead of October, though, to avoid some of the other martial arts events going on at that time. It would be great to meet up with you in person!

[Montana]

Thanks, but I've been "retired" for 10 years now due to arthriis in both knees and a bad back. I run thru my kata now and then and basics, but anything to intense and there's an audible "snap" in my back, my legs go weak and I'm literally out of commission for days/weeks.

10 years ago I had to make a decision as whether to keep teaching, or possible some day that "snap" would do somnething permanent and I wouldn't be able to work. At 52 years of age at the time, work had precedence.

No, my martial arts days are gone, but not forgotten!!! lol Most of my friends came to me via the arts as students, and I think of the art daily. I'm considering judging and referreeing again at local tournaments in the Spring...we'll see.