INTERESTED IN KATA?
"Sufficient kata study and practice impose a well-defined technical discipline upon the judoist, one that is unattainable by
only randori and contest methods. This discipline, instead of hampering the judoist, actually frees him from undue
restrictions, liberates his bodily expression in movement, and best teaches him economy of mental and physical
energy. This process can only be understood through experience, and only through kata performance can judoists
come to appreciate Judo in its fullest sense" (Otaki and Draeger, Judo Formal Techniques, p. 28). Kata is perhaps
the syllabus for dan grades. After learning all the techniques that color belts learn, we proceed to the principles behind
the art. Those are contained in Judo kata. I'm convinced that the practice of kata is the key to the mastery of the art.
For those interested in sharpening their kata skills I recommend two key books: Tadao Otaki and Donn Draeger's
Judo Formal Techniques (Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1983), which contains instructions for the Randori no
Kata, the first two kata of Judo (Nage no kata and Katame no Kata); and Mikonosuke Kawaishi's The Complete 7 Katas
of Judo (Woodstock: The Overlook Press, 1982 - reprint of the 1957 edition), which provides you with the main kata of
the Gentle Path.
For those who are more visual, I recommend Greg Fernandez video tape "The Kata of Kodokan Judo." Greg spent a lot
of time in Japan doing nothing but kata. His tape show all the 9 kata of Judo, including the physical education kata. You
can get Greg's tape at http://usja-judo.org/Supply/SuppyJA.htm.

NEW WEBSITES
The British Zen Judo Family Association (BZJFA) has a new home page. The address is www.bzjfa.fslife.co.uk.
Our thanks to Sensei Gordon Lawson for updating the Zen Judo families. Our best to the BZJFA members!

The Spanish Zen Judo family has a website too. It is not operational yet, but it will be installed soon.
That website's address is http://judozen.iespana.es/. Congratulations to the SZJ members as well!

TRAINING
The Gentle Ways Judo family (which I call "American Zen Judo West"), under the leadership of Sensei Vern
Borgen, is having its Kangeiko training on the weekend of Feb. 9-10. Sensei Vern Borgen has had a Judo practice
in Fargo, North Dakota for decades now. The Gentle Ways group includes his original dojo and all the other dojo that
have been created in the area by his students. Over the years Sensei Borgen has brought some of the best well
known Masters to teach during Kangeiko. Of course, for the editor of this newsletter (Sensei Cavalcanti) the highlight
of the training is the barefoot race around the dojo that the Judoka do on Saturday. Needless to say running in the
snow in North Dakota in February is not for the weak of heart (nor for Brazilians!)! We wish the Gentle Ways family all
the best! For those of you who may be interested in attending a Kangeiko, feel free to contact Sensei Borgen
at vern_borgen@ndsu.nodak.edu. (See attached Acrobat file 165K)

The Radcliffe Zen Judo club would like to invite members of the Zen Judo families to attend its Budo Course on
Sunday, February 17 from 11 am to 3:30 pm. The training will include the Kime no Kata, a classic Judo Kata of
twenty moves for self-defense against punches, kicks, dagger and sword, from kneeling and standing; and also
an introduction to Wudang Tui Shou drills - for sensing and redirecting the opponent's force. The course will take
place at the Dayncourt School Gym, Cropwell Road, Radcliffe on Trent, off A52 Grantham-Nottingham Road. The mat
fee is £15-00 and there is limited places so those interested should book early. For more information contact
Sensei Gordon Lawson at gordonlawson@btinternet.com or by phone 0115 933 5562. The instructors for the training
will be Sensei Gordon Lawson, Anne Parker (for Kime no Kata) and Peter Ellis (for Wudang Tui Shou).

Sensei Gordon Lawson also tells us that Sensei Stephen Grayston 9th Dan has organised two day martial arts
weekend in Florida wrapped round a two week vacation at a good price. All members of Zen Judo are invited.
Sensei Gordon will be attending.
For further information go to http://www.natsukosu.org, or check with Sensei Lawson.