NANAKOROBI YAOKI (Day 3)

Today's kangeiko was completely dedicated to the five Junro kata, which I only just recently published an article on: http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2009/12/whilst-im-still-young-when-i-was-even.html. Anyway, here's a quick report on today's practice.
_______

Stripping the kata back into kihon: We began with the individual techniques and sections of the kata by thoroughly breaking them down into kihon. The points, which were strongly emphasised included: (a) Correct energy output for precise control of balance; (b) 'Moving from the tanden' and correct use of the hips depending on the technique/body shift. And (c) Snapping techniques, as opposed to forcing them. Nothing special in text, but awesome stuff in the dojo!

_______

Junro kata kumite no bunkai: The applications of all five kata were then trained as kumite. I must say that I love going through the bunkai/oyo-jutsu of the Junro series, and today was certainly no exception. So many valuable things to work on... Forever a student.

_______

Kata: To conclude this excellent third day of kangeiko, Junro-shodan, nidan, sandan, yondan and godan were all practiced many times over. Sorry, but I literally lost count. Time to rest!

________

Needless to say, the two photos featured in this article fittingly feature my late teacher, Tetsuhiko Asai Sensei counting, as I demonstrated the five Junro. The many 'problem solving' kata, which Sensei left us, truly are a permanent testament of his phenomenal ingenuity.

OSU!

© André Bertel, Japan (2009).