NEWS
July 9 and 10,
2011
2011 WTKO
Summer Camp
On July 8th Sensei Middleton travelled to New York City to attend the 2011
WTKO Summer Camp. This training camp is one of the premier events for the WTKO,
with instructors and members attending from across the United States. Classes
were conducted at the WTKO Honbu Dojo located on 63rd Street and 3rd
Avenue. This Midtown Manhattan location is truly the heart of New York
City, being only moments away from scenic Central Park. Although this is
Sensei Middleton's eighth visit to New York City for training the sights,
knowledge, and friendship gained are always special.
July 9th, 2011: Day #1 Report
9:30 to 10:30 - Class was conducted by Sensei Eiji Maeda, 6th Dan. Maeda
Sensei is a graduate of the JKA Instructor Course under Asai, Abe, and
Yahara Sensei's. Class centered around the idea of using the Seika no Itten or
the "one point below the navel". Sensei used Aikido like movements
throughout the class to educate the students.
10:30 to 11:30 - Class was conducted by Sensei Mazhari, 6th
Dan from Virginia. Mazhari Sensei has 45 years of Karate experience, and
was long time student of Enoeda and Mori Sensei's. Concentration was placed on
pure Shotokan basics with a strong mental focus.
11:30 to 1:00 - Class was conducted by the WTKO Chief Instructor Sensei
Richard Amos, 6th Dan. Amos Sensei is a graduate of the JKA Instructor Course
under Asai, Abe, and Yahara Sensei's. Sensei encouraged those in
attendance to advance their Karate to the highest level, and not only create
outside shapes. Further more Sensei stressed the limbs of our body should be
free and subordinate to the bodies center. Sensei also educated the students on
the importance of Tachiba. This is the philosophy and relationship of the
Sempai and Kohai. Accepting Tachiba the student will react intuitivly, be more
aware of situations, and free oneself of ego. The contents of the class
solidified for myself that Amos Sensei's Karate is truly unique and deeply
profound.
July 10th,
2011: Day #2 Report
9:30 to 10:30 - Class was conducted by Sensei Fred Serricchio, 7th Dan.
Sensei began Shotokan Karate training in 1958, and is a long time student of
Sensei Mori of New York City. With over 53 years of Karate experience
Serricchio Sensei offered the students a wealth of knowledge. Sensei's classes
are always unique and are highly anticipated by the students. Drawing from his
Iaido and Aikido experience Sensei concentrated on Irimi (Entering), and the
timing of attacks, defense, and grabs. Throughout Sensei's classe he
educated the students on proper Budo mentality and spirit.
10:30 to 11:30 - Class was conducted by Sensei Richard Amos, 6th Dan.
The theme of Sensei's class was the Kata Hachimon. Sensei mentioned that
Hachimon was taught to him personaly by the late Sensei Asai, and that he
considers this a special gift. In my opinion the "special gift" was
now given to the participants of the class. As the name Hachimon (Eight Gates)
implies there is stepping, spinning, and sliding movements to eight directions.
Sensei assisted the students in refining the following aspects of the
Kata: Morote-uke, Yama-zuki, turning forwards, and backwards.
11:30 to 12:30 - Class was conducted by Sensei John Mullin, 7th Dan.
Sensei is the Executive Chairman of the WTKO, and is an excellent example of
the consummate Martial Artist. After nearly four hours of training on Saturday
in the hot and humid New York weather, Sensei hurried to leave the Dojo. I
asked Sensei where he was going, and he replied simply "To Iaido".
Sensei walked out of the Dojo, and into two more hours of Iaido training.
Sensei's theme for the class was the perfection of the fundamentals. Rotation,
stepping, breathing, timing, Heian Shodan, and Gohon Kumite were all covered by
Sensei.
Courtesy of Scott Middleton Sensei's News Brief
