Yours truly (webmaster), managed to make the trip up to Northampton from the sunny South Coast for the Kenshindoryu Summer Course, unfortunately I could only attend the Saturday session. As is usual with Jim's courses the weather was blistering, with possibly the hottest day of the year and nice high pollen counts (great for us hey fever sufferers).

The Saturday session covered a number of Martial Arts, starting with Wadokai Karate with BWKS Chief Instructor Shinohara Y Shihan 8th Dan Wadokai. This was followed by sessions by Shinkendo with UK Shibucho Byon Shepherd Shodan Renshi and his Instructors (as a novice I got to practice in the Church yard very hot). The rest of the afternoon covered Jujitsu Kempo with Kenshindoryu Chief Instructor Jim Dart 5th Dan and another Instructor (sorry can't remember your name) covering writs and arm locks and restraints.

The day was closed by Sensei Stuart Edwards who is a former BIKMA middleweight Jujitsu champion covering some newaza (groundwork) techniques.

The day was finished with a very relaxed and pleasant evening at Sensei Darts house for a barbecue and drinks. The trip bought back some very fond memories of previous Kenshindoryu Martial Arts courses at Pool in Dorset in the past and it was great to get the chance to catch up with some of the Instructors and students.

Saturday 26th June 2010 - Shihan Shinohara Y 8th Dan Wadokai Karate (sitting)

Sunday 27th June - Kenshindoryu Summer Course 2010

Sunday 27th June - Kenshindoryu Summer Course 2010

Note: I have reproduced this for information (webmaster)

 

July registration halted as VBS is remodelled

 The Home Secretary, Theresa May, has today (15th June 2010) issued a statement to the House of Commons which confirms the stated intention of the coalition Government to review the Vetting & Barring and criminal records regimes to ensure that they are scaled back to common sense levels.

The Written Ministerial Statement reads:

Tuesday, 15 June 2010
HOME OFFICE
Vetting and Barring Scheme

Secretary of State for the Home Department (Theresa May): I am announcing today that the commencement of voluntary registration with the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which was due to begin on 26 July, will be brought to a halt as of today.

The Government has made clear its intention to bring the criminal records and Vetting and Barring regimes back to common sense levels. Until this remodelling has taken place, we have decided to maintain those aspects of the new Scheme which are already in place, but not to introduce further elements.

The safety of children and vulnerable adults is of paramount importance to the new government. We will therefore maintain the current arrangements under which the Independent Safeguarding Authority is able to bar from "regulated activities" those considered unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults, and appropriate cases must be referred to them. Criminal records checks will also remain available for those eligible to receive them, and will continue to be required for certain posts where regulations are already in place.

However it is vital that we take a measured approach in these matters. Vulnerable groups must be properly protected in a way that is proportionate and sensible. The remodelling of the VBS will ensure this happens.

The terms of reference for the remodelling of the VBS and of the criminal records regime are currently being considered and a further announcement will be made in due course.

It would appear that even Japan is starting to worry about the direction Judo is taking (webmaster).

Japanese Judo: R.I.P.?

by Mark Colby Sensei

This article first appeared in the "SMAA Journal" Volume 13, Issue 2

 Yasuhiro Yamashita Sensei has been bounced from the Board of Directors of the International Judo Federation (IJF), leaving Japan devoid of a voice on the world scene. Days after Yamashita Sensei’s ouster, Japan’s great hopes in the men’s heavyweight divisions were both eliminated from the World Championships on what many here in Japan believe to be questionable judging. While Nippon did retain a considerable cachet through the illustrious Mrs. Tani’s seventh world championship, the year 2007 seems to mark the final straw, breaking the country of origin’s last remnant of moral (or political) authority over judo’s future trajectory.

 

Although largely unnoticed by the rest of the world, Japan’s judo leaders and even the general public stand aghast at recent events. From boardrooms to bar rooms, the banter is the same; the fundamental tenets of judo have morphed so far from its origins, it no longer represents Japan or its culture.

 

A prominent Japanese attorney and judo godan is heart attack serious when he says the Kodokan should sue the IJF, forcing them to stop using the name “judo” to describe the current iteration of the sport. “The current world leaders are ignoring the foundation of what judo is, turning it into something it was never intended to be. It’s all about money grubbing and power politics,” he states with puckered lip and furrowed brow. The streets of Tokyo are humming with rumors that Japanese television will stop broadcasting IJF events, hitting them where it hurts: in the wallet.

 

Those in North America and Europe look at these kinds of confounding statements and wonder what all the fuss is about. Thanks to the globalization of judo, it is practiced in nearly 200 countries and by millions of people. The international leadership has succeeded in recasting judo, allowing it to resonate to nearly all cultures. It has also brought the business savvy necessary for ongoing financing and promotion. Some feel Japan should be overjoyed that its national sport has achieved such success and is not relegated to the fringes like certain martial arts.

 

While it is not this author’s place to pass judgment on such poignant matters, as someone who lives in Japan (with grounding in the West), allow me to attempt to shed some light on Japanese judoka’s thinking. I do this with the caveat that this line of reasoning is exceedingly difficult to articulate, even between die-hard Japanese budoka.

 

First and foremost, there is a profound sadness in Japan relating to what is seen as ignoring judo’s spiritual roots. The two Chinese characters “ju” and “do” have deep meaning resonating into how people should lead their lives and interact with society. (The word judo means the “gentle way” or the “way of pliability.”)

 

This is supported by thousands of years of Shinto philosophy based on simplicity, humility, and honor. Spiritually, the current manifestation of judo appears relegated to garden variety sportsmanship. “Ju-do” cannot be compared to “box-ing” or “base-ball.”

 

To Japanese sensibilities, this spiritual failure has morphed much of modern judo in ways that will ultimately damage the sport’s appeal. Defensive posturing may be an effective sports strategy, but it is cowardly. Traditional ideology would argue that it would be better to lose with honor. Grip fighting, now the hallmark of competitive judo, is seen as the sport’s bane, creating a jerky cat-fight out of what was designed to be a highly fluid test of wills. Playing out the clock and winning on points contradicts the very essence of judo, which in the beginning had only a single point in each bout for a reason: your opponent can only die once. Winning by a quarter point can’t count for anything but failure to have achieved victory. Ignoring these premises, the Japanese claim, has made judo less interesting to do and tedious to watch.

 

Given these issues, it is fair to ask what would happen if everyone magically started practicing the kind of judo Japan seems to be yearning for—where all out competition is modulated by what Westerners might call a kind of “chivalry.” The next question, which will no doubt cause considerable pause among traditionalists, could this still be called a sport?

 

If you haven’t hardwired your views on these lofty issues, it may be helpful to remember what attracted you to judo (or other budo) over other sporting pursuits. How much of your decision was based on an attempt to find what the Japanese feel they are now loosing? Most importantly for the future of judo, if the IJF is successful at casting off what they see as unwanted cultural baggage, how will this affect the choices of coming generations?

About the Author: Colby Sensei teaches and practices traditional Kodokan judo in the USA and Japan. He has practiced at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo for over 20 years.

 

Congratulations to the following students who have gained promotion at the ZJF Gradings held at Petersfield Dojo on 9th May 2010.

Front row - Some of the successful students and Back row Grading Panel

 

Dave Bennington being awarded his 2nd Dan by Shihan Phil Watts 6th Dan

Alex Barnes has been awarded his 1st Dan ZJF Black Belt

New Grades Awarded:-

David Bennington - 2nd Dan Black Belt (Bognor  Regis / Portsmouth)

Alex Barnes - 1st Dan Black Belt (Bognor Regis)

Helen Richards - Brown Belt (Petersfield)

Hannah Barnes - Blue Belt (Bognor Regis)

Amy Taylor - Green Belt (Bognor Regis)

Harry Snelgrove - Green Belt (Petersfield)

 

Bognor Regis Zen Judo Club hosted the 7th Zen Judo Spring Martial Arts Course over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
This was once again run over two consecutive days with the now traditional Saturday evening social gathering at
a local Chinese Restaurant.

Saturday photo call.

The numbers attending this years event were slightly down on previous years, but it still attracted around
24 Black Belts and Kyu grades from around the country. This included Sensei John Goldman 7th Dan (President of the UBA) and
Shihan Gordon Lawson 6th Dan (President of the British Zen Judo Family Association).

Black belts representing eight different clubs and five different organisations made the trip this year, which
given the costs of travelling at present is remarkable.

NB: Keep an eye on the website for news on up and coming course (webmaster)