Tag : wado-ryu
Tag : wado-ryu
Dear all
In a super-late style as always, I forgot to update here on the website the news I received late last year.
In November 2021, I was awarded my Yodan by Sensei Gary Swift while at a training course in Horsham. This is not something I expected to happen any time soon, and I feel very privileged to have received it.
Categories: Events, Gradings, Instructors, Updates
I’m rather late with this, but it shows that there is nothing new under the sun!
On October 10th 2018, Sensei Gary Swift taught a 3 hour course covering the ‘final’ kata in Wado – Suparenpei.
You can find plenty of photos of the course here:
Categories: Courses
As we approach the end of another year, I’d like to thank my students for another hard year of training. Between having new (clearly dedicated) students joining our ranks and well established, hard training students achieving their 1st Dan, I consider this a great year for the club. We remain small, and train harder for it. I hope next year brings even more opportunities for learning.
END OF YEAR AND START OF 2019
Please note the final training session of the year is (was, I’m late posting this) Friday 14th December 2018. Training starts at 18:15, and may extend beyond the one hour. I hope to see you all there, and if not, I wish you all a Merry Christmas.
We resume training on Friday 4th January 2019. Same time. Same place. Be sure to keep up your training over Christmas!
AWARDS
On Sunday 9th December 2018 at the British Wadokai Standardisation Course Part 4 (which covered I-dori, Tanto-dori and Muto-dori) Sensei Oren Teichmann 3rd Dan was awarded Shogo Tashi by Sensei Gary Swift 8th Dan Kyoshi.
Titles are often awarded in tandem with grades, however this is not always the case.
As written in the Wado Comprehensive:
SHO-GO – 称号 ‘Title’. Refers to the numerous titles that may be awarded upon high-ranking Yudansha. Shogo include Tashi (3rd Dan & 4th Dan), Renshi (5th Dan & above), Kyoshi (6th Dan & above), Hanshi (8th Dan & above), etc.
Martial Artists often use Sensei to distinguish instructors of a particular Ryu. Junior and Senior students are often organised via a senpai/kohai system. Other titles are conferred loosely and under no particular standardisation. They often follow the commonly used black belt or Dan system of ranking. The usage of these titles is quite common outside of Japan and is subject to much interpretation.
[ . . . ]Tashi ( Tashi 達士) Experienced Practitioner. Awarded to those of 3rd Dan and/or 4th Dan who show exceptional skill in their practical, technical and theoretical studies.
“I was not expecting this in any such way, I would sincerely like to thank Sensei Gary along with everyone else involved in this presentation. I feel honoured at such a gift.”
Also awarded at the course was Vita Reizupa’s 8th Kyu grade (passed with flying colours – very much impressing Sensei Gordon 7th Dan Renshi of Horsham DKW). On a personal note, since starting in August this year, Vita has shown great committment and attitude to her martial arts studies, showing up not only in local standardisation courses, but travelling as far as Grey Wolf’s Gloucestershire dojo! I can’t wait to see what she brings to the club next year.
Peter Collier 1st Dan, whom if you remember passed his Yudan shinsa in September, was awarded with the ‘Unsung Hero’ award, given for his unusual ability of ‘being here there and everywhere’ just when you need him! All jokes aside, I truly appreciate Pete putting so much time into helping with the club, covering session at the last minute without the dramatic double take I personally enjoy acting out at such a request.
Kumite or Gumite? – Confused…?
What is the difference between Kumite and Gumite, Kata and Gata, etc? Absolutely nothing, except for the pronunciation! If prefixed, some Japanese words may change their pronunciation. For example, Kata becomes Gata, such as Kumite-gata (let’s look at the Japanese Kanji for both Kata = 形 and Gata = 形). If prefixed, Kumite becomes Gumite such as Kihon-gumite (let’s look at the Japanese Kanji; for both Kumite = 組手 and Gumite = 組手 )…
Hmmm…
Looks the same to me!
So remember, only when certain words are prefixed does the ‘pronunciation’ sometimes change.
However, caution, this rule does not apply all the time, so full investigation must be made. Additionally, it’s also not ‘incorrect’ to allow many of the words/sounds to remain intact.
Can you think of any other instances of words, where the Japanese pronunciation may change, when prefixed?
Let me start you off:
Harai (sweep) becomes Barai. Kamae (posture) becomes Gamae. Dachi (standing) becomes Tachi. Kiri (cut) becomes Giri. Koshi (hip) becomes Goshi. Keri (kick) becomes Geri, etc.
from the Wado Comprehensive, by Sensei Gary Swift 8th Dan Kyoshi
So with a heavy heart, we get ready to close 2018. Think of what’s to come next year (or in fact, what special big event happens in 2020 that heavily involves karate on a worldwide stage…?) and prepare yourself.
I hope everyone gets to enjoy their time off, whatever your plans may entail, and I look forward to seeing you all in the new year.
Categories: Courses, Events, Instructors, Updates
Yesterday I was lucky enough to be graded to 3rd Dan under Sensei Gary Swift 8th Dan Kyoshi. It was a tough grading but I made it 🙂 a big thank you to Leslie Forester for his assistance with both driving us there and back and as a partner in my Kata Kaisetsu and Kihon Gumite.
Also congratulations to Carolyn Watson and Mike Diggle of Plymouth University Wado Ryu Karate Club for their 1st and 2nd Dan success, respectively.
All the best
Sensei Oren … Sandan 🙂
I hope everyone had a lovely Easter. We’re back to normal this week. Wednesday training in Horsham. Friday is now a DOUBLE session again! 6:15pm-7:15pm beginners, 7:15pm to 8:15pm intermediates.
Finally: NEW EVENING CLASSES STARTING 5TH APRIL
At the Redwood Centre in Haywards Heath, we will be starting a new Tuesday evening class, 7pm to 8pm. Barring any last minute issues, this is going ahead!
See the training page for more details
See you all soon!
Sensei Oren
Categories: Updates
Let’s hope this summer holds! We as a club want to get out into the community, and what better way to start than with a couple of fetes? Join us for these upcoming events:
Burgess Hill Town Fayre – 12th June 2016 – 11am to 4pm
Our first time trying to pitch a tent up at Burgess Hill Town Fayre, let’s show the locals a little of what our club has been training for.
Stall set up will be at 09:15. We will have a public performance starting at 12:20 for twenty minutes. Please wear your training Gi and white shoes / socks (ideally thin trainers as opposed to bulky ones). Hopefully the sun holds out!
Cowfold Fete – 2nd July 2016 – 10am onwards
After a dreary event in 2014, we’re hoping this year the 2nd of July will have sunshine! We will be setting up a gazebo and table, and hopefully squeeze in a demo or two.
Horsham Sparks in the Park – 10th July 2016 – 12pm onwards
The 2014 event was extremely well attended, and very very sunny, so bring sun-cream! As with Cowfold we hope to have a large demo area and demo slot, so be sure to practice your kata and come and show it off.
More to come as they are arranged…
Categories: Updates
A big, belated congratulations to Holly Brightey for passing her 9th Kyu grading under Sensei Gordon Hoare 5th Dan a few weeks back. She put a lot of effort into learning the basics of Wado karate and displayed them with plenty of confidence.
9th kyu, a red belt, is just the first step for what will hopefully be her very long martial arts journey. She joins her older brother and father, Daniel and Mark Brightey, who have been training in the Dojo since 2010.
Hello all!
2nd week back and I’m sure you’re all exhausted already!
I, as have others, noticed a small slip in some of our Dojo etiquette.
1) No shoes should be worn in the Dojo.
2) Remember to bow to your instructor when addressed, bow when partnering up, and acknowledge commands with an ‘hai’.
3) Unless a Shodan or Nidan is teaching these ranks are officially referred to as Senpai (Sempai) by the lower ranks. Shodan & Nidan, whom are teaching, should be referred to as Sensei. Referring to a higher graded Black-Belt, and/or a Sensei, by name in the Dojo demonstrates disrespect.
Let’s not let this slip.
See you next week!
Categories: Updates
Hello all!
A belated happy new year to you. We have much planned for the year (starting with more frequent online updates, we hope), starting with our first Friday training session on the 8th January at 6:15.
We hope to see you all there
Best wishes for a better year
2nd Dan
Categories: Updates
LATEST NEWS: On the 29th March 2014, Sensei Oren passed his 2nd Dan exam – both theory and practical.
A special thanks to Martin Marriott 3rd Kyu for assisting with partnering Oren.
He joins Sensei Robbie 2nd Dan and Sensei Kieran 2nd Dan as the clubs most senior grades.
Categories: Gradings, Instructors