There is always trepidation when inviting a sensei you have never experienced, but we were delighted that J. Ryngen sensei, Godan of Sweden accepted BNA Executive’s invitation to head our seminar. Once again the resident Japanese sensei H. Umizawa sensei, Yondan who runs a dojo in Kent supported Jakob sensei. Rachel, Sandan the London dojo sensei completed the line up.

The great divide

As a first, we also experimented by moving the seminar out of London and southern England, to the historic city of York, some 2½ hours by train from London, or four hours by car from London and Heathrow and 3½ hours south of Edinburgh, Scotland. The viking city of York was ironically the mid-point for others coming from England, north Wales and Scotland. Many had made two-to-three hour journeys to attend this seminar. The University of York’s campus provided an excellent first rate venue with an immaculate wooden sprung floor and en-suite accommodation.

The seminar set out and timed precisely to ensure smooth running, and getting as much learned for the wide spectrum of students ability attending this seminar. That meant a tremendous amount of equipment (armour) taken up primarily the London dojo and with some spare sune (shin-protectors) from the Kent dojo, along with naginata to lend to foreign visitors and students, so that every participant had bogu (armour, minus men (head protector), for beginners, and below yonkyu). This left both sensei and foreign students somewhat stunned how lucky British Naginata is, both through Japanese donation, and close relationships with Paul’s and Rachel’s sempai status with Kendo clubs, to have at their disposal a substantial amount of club equipment to lend.

Additionally all of the students in the North and young lad from Finland, are learning remotely without regular Dan sensei and thus lack opportunities to wear bogu, with an insured Dan sensei present. Northern students it was explained to sensei, were learning by Rachel teaching every three months an all day Naginata practice, and then only determined practice in those northern towns by dedicated individuals, carried these students through. Jakob and Hiromi sensei were admirable of how such northern students were learning Naginata.

Jakob sensei of Sweden making a point on Go-hon-me, shikake-oji (kata)

Jakob sensei, instructing shikake-oji, using Andrew of SNCF as shikake

We were absolutely delighted welcome Andrew of Southern California, who was on a six month ‘study exchange’ to Cambridge University, and Masashi san of Shikoku, who is studying at York University itself. Their remit was to not only be our guests and help out everyone, but especially the Ikkyu and above, but to make new Naginata friends and experience our generous warmth we extend to any visitors to Britain. The experienced senior Naginata players here, benefited hugely from Andrew and Masashi san as both were outstanding examples of Naginata players to look up to, and importantly watch carefully when Jakob sensei demonstrated with either of them.

Briefly we report, an extra all bogu session was put on the first Friday evening, for those ikkyu to sandan, so two guests Andrew and Masashi san, also attended. This practice was explained as being desperately needed for seniors who generally receive little instruction on how to improve their bogu Naginata standard

In the above photo, those san-kyu and lower, can be seen in the mirror, watching from the bench. The criteria to take part, was being comfortable and able to wear the full bogu.

Jakob sensei, giving the small senior group instruction

The main seminar started on promptly on Saturday 17th March, morning, after two cars full of equipment had been carried in, the sports hall had given us an immaculate clean wooden floor.

The entire class of 21 students were kept together for key basics, like joge-buri and commands, before being split up into 2 groups, those who knew (kata, ie. set routines/forms) shikake-oji 1-5, those who knew  shikake-oji 1 to 3. Everyone was asked to rotate around Andrew and Masashi san, so they had chance to practice with the best. Rachel sensei jumped in and out, when there was odd numbers, and when she took a northern student for whom it was only her second Naginata practice but was determined to come to this seminar.

Hiromi sensei, teaching those who knew 1 to 3 shikake-oji. Ironically in this photo, no one is from the main London dojo. It is proudly made up of students from North Wales, the Wirral, Scotland and two Kent students.

Up to lunch time, it was an intense morning of Jakob and Hiromi sensei taking apart and guiding students, to improve their technique.

Rachel had advised in her experience: after lunch and filling up on food, students’ attention span tended to dip and go awol with their blood sugar levels (!) So with that, she planned for everyone to be in bogu – much to the laughter and delight of everyone present. It was a particularly awesome sight, to see 21 students (except one due to a former injury) in bogu.

Students and sensei were intrigued why stickers B and T were put on a minority of individual’s Doh. Everyone was gathered round in “Gogi”, and were informed – B meant Beginner, ie. it was probably only their first or second time wearing bogu, so this indicated to a partner, be even more kind and considerate to this individual. So what did the T mean ? Well that was for Nidan and above, meaning only a T marked Doh, could an individual receive Tsuki.

 

Cue – more nervous laughter. This idea worked, as one London student commented, “I was more aware the person opposite might be a northern student who didn’t know how to wear or move easily in bogu” – it changed their mindset. Another student marked with a B, expressed his relief but joy. Another northern student could not stop smiling, declaring he was “Born to wear this stuff” !!

Hiromi sensei teaching all students out of men (ie. doh, tare, sune and Nagi Kote) – this numbered 11 plus Hiromi sensei, in rotation

Rachel had carefully explained to sensei why 80 minutes of bogu practice had been put in the schedule, besides the “attention span” reason. Essentially explaining, in Britain she encourage all students when safe to practice in bogu (without the men), and do light practice to experience the entire Atarashii Naginata syllabus, because she did not want students spending 6-9 months as beginners without bogu, only to discover 9-12 months later they hated armour or could not mentally cope with the bogu aspect of being “hit” in Naginata. It was best beginners and low kyu, found out how they felt in bogu, sooner rather than later, safely of course. Not least we in Britain, were in a very fortunate position to have a generous amount of equipment to loan out.

Jakob sensei meanwhile, took seven senior students, wearing full bogu (ie. including the men). With thanks to Tobias who took one northern student aside, who was only on her second Naginata lesson. Patience was welcomed. The senior group were put through their paces, building upon Friday night’s practice. Critically, some seniors were lucky enough to practice with both Andrew and Masashi san. Again they were absolutely awesome in their standard, and accuracy of cuts they made. Those practicing in Britain, had a lot to think about, improving the bogu side of Naginata – Gigeiko (free sparring) on  Sunday was the cream on top for the seniors with Jakob sensei, Hiromi sensei, and both our guests Andrew and Masashi for senior seminar students.

Feedback from Hiromi sensei, was pure joy. “The atmosphere and energy was electric”. We had also acquired from the upper gallery spectators. For 80 minutes, everyone looked impressive. The san-kyu and below group, were kept alive by mixing up Uchi-kaeshi and learning simple sune-waza techniques.

Pawel (1.9m tall or all 6’4” of him), from Edinburgh Scotland, appears to tower above Hiromi sensei. He was one of the northern students who not only studies remotely, but passed his Go-kyu the day after.

The end of the first day, we all returned to complete the shikake-oji kata not covered before lunchtime. Students were fueled by chocolate sweet (candy) covered Birthday Cake of one of the London students who was celebrating a birthday.

Sunday, was focused entirely out of bogu and for those taking Kyu examinations with seniors, Paul, Andrew and Masashi san patiently helping out below, under Jakob sensei’s watchful eye.

Shikake-Oji Practice

Finally, Rachel had put both Jakob and Hiromi sensei “on the spot” and explained she wanted them both to demonstrate, not teach, the Zen Nihon Kata, 1 to 7. More so as inspiration, but primarily so that students in Britain, especially those mature students coming to our Naginata budo later in life, understood what lay on the horizon as they progressed. Both Jakob and Hiromi sensei rose to the challenge.

Zen Nihon

Watching Zen Nihon

Students remained transfixed during the demonstration, where they were also instructed all video must remain private and photos to be treated respectfully in tagging or identifying individuals.While Jakob and Hiromi sensei remain nervous by their impromptu demonstration, a measure of the inspiration came from a comment of one our mature students “Can I ever do what those sensei just did, one day?”

As to what made our seminar feel like a success, the list is too long. For some, it started with a hearty full English breakfast, for others the setting, facilities and local staff just first class. For others, it was the two sensei. Paul and Rachel took comfort, that Jakob sensei had been the right choice to teach in English, a level of students in Britain – that was still very much growing and improving steadily. The self-depreciating humour, the clear explanations, the easy-going approach put Hiromi sensei at ease to give nothing but her best.

We end our website seminar report, with the “Usual Guilty Suspects” Line-Up against the wall. So there was no mistake which Budo this was, some students requested to keep their bogu on and some wouldn’t let go of their naginata (!)

We’d like to leave folks with generous thanks to all whom made this seminar happen. The organisation and planning that went in, easy online booking by Paul, the local folks who provided inside knowledge and help. Our two foreign guest university students, Andrew and Masashi san for being supremely patient and helpful. Ultimately massive thanks to both sensei, for Jakob sensei flying in from Stockholm, and having an exhausting weekend with us, and to Hiromi sensei from Kent, (via Tokyo originally) whom students said, “she didn’t stop smiling all weekend”.

For those students at the seminar, a final reminder of why Jakob sensei was a success heading the British annual seminar, in 2012. All students have a lot to remember, but none of us will forget the image of a Big Cheese and his funny explanation in hilarious English, how to cut cheese with a naginata.

"BigCheese!"

Seminar Information: the next seminar running the INF/ENF examination criteria, will be in Novara, Italy on 16-17th June 2012. Please contact the Italian Federation (CIK). Good Luck.

As you will see, they start part way through, but the essentials of tieing a neat and tidy knot and looking smart, are clear enough.

This will take place in York, on the weekend from Friday 16th March to Sunday 18th March 2012.  The venue is the University of York.

We are pleased to welcome, Jakob RYNGEN sensei, Godan (Sweden).  He will be supported by Hiromi UMIZAWA sensei, Yondan (Japan).  They will also form the examination panel for the grading with Rachel from the London dojo.

Information regarding the event (pdfs):

• Welcome Letter
• Schedule
• Travel and Hotel Advice
• Examination Entry Information
• Examination Criteria
• Payment and Booking Form Details

Online Booking

Please use the forms below to book individual dan and kyu/ungraded attendees or mixed grade groups.  We can accept payment by cheque, bank transfer, paypal or credit card.  (Please note the credit card payment uses Paypal, but you do not need a Paypal account).

• All DAN GRADE attendees book with this form
• All KYU GRADE and UNGRADED attendees book with this form
• GROUPS – Try this form!

NOTE ON SHODAN GRADING
Gradingis to ikkyu only.

Future ENF dates – 2012

• January 29^{th and  30th} in Paris
  Tokunaga cup + Jacques Mercier team cup +  Simone Charton Technical cup

• February 25^th 26^th  in Brussels
  Isabelle D’hose cup, Taikai and artistic kata cup

•  March 17^th and 18^th   in York, Great Britain

Seminar with Grading (led by Jakob Ryngen & Hiromi Umizawa sensei)

• For this BRITISH event only, email:  rachel ‘at’ naginata.org.uk
• PDF information & application form is automatically sent out to known British & Foreign students living in England
  

•  April 28^th – 29^th   in the Netherlands
  Seminar with Tanaka sensei (to be confirmed)

•  June 16^th and 17^th in Italy,
  Seminar with Nakano sensei

•  July 12^th to 17^th in Germany
  Seminar with Kyoshi

•  End of August in Sweden
  INF event

•  September 1^st and 2^nd  in Italy
  Budo on the beach – isshu jiai taikai

•  November 10^th -11^th in Czech Republic
  European Naginata Championship and Seminar

Last practice of 2011 – come and celebrate ! Kent and Northern Dojo welcome
Beginners who have been away at universities – come and join us, no need to worry you’ve been away a long time & forgotten.

Rediscover this Budo & have fun.
Extended 4 hours practice with teaching (obviously !) a kind of mini seminar but hugely fun and much more informal.

• From: 12pm until 4pm
• Saturday 17th December
• £10 (to help cover the extra cost of the courts hire)
• Concession: Students in full time study or unemployed, £5
• Table in the Pub booked from 4.30pm onwards
• Food from 5pm onwards (or you can just have drinks & leave when you like)

Snacking on mince-pies, Yule chocolate logs, Christmas sweets with water & toilet breaks throughout the practice !!

Yay !! Shuko and Joe are returning from Okinawa, Japan to join us (weather permitting !)
Later: Eating at The Baring Pub – just a 5 minute walk from the dojo
http://thebaringpub.co.uk/barMenu.php

Free to come and go as you please, stay for a drink and leave, or stay and have a meal with the main London Naginata players.

• Above is an idea of prices of mains meals, suiting all budgets.
• Pay as you eat, it is not a split group bill.

You do not need to book food you can decide when you’re at the pub. Unless you want the full Christmas Dinner (that will be starter, turkey with trimmings, dessert), this must be ordered 1 week in advance, through Rachel, you cannot decide on the day to eat Christmas dinner.

Please let us know, if you intend to stay for our Dojo Christmas meal – she has provisionally booked only 8 places at the Baring Pub but can book more, 10, 12 ??

BAD WEATHER

Those individuals travelling a substantial distance, let us all keep an eye out on snowy weather predictions. Last year 2010, everyone battled in against snow drifts & ice, only for the sports centre to kick us out early with no apology, which upset a lot of us.

London Naginata takes part in the biggest Japan Matsuri (fair) by the London Eye, it was packed out!

This year’s 2011 Japan Matsuri was moved to the very open, public venue by the London Eye, and County Hall.  This meant a hugely successful event of an estimated 70,000 visitors on a warm Sunday, many more than last year.

The London Naginata Dojo and students, were also better placed this year, with a later stage time meaning we attracted a good crowd, not least having followed an earlier Kendo demo of very cute children!

Rachel had planned a demonstration of what was possible with Atarashii Naginata to fit the twenty minutes that we had allocated to us. So everyone was prepped to do their best.

Thank you to everyone for making the most of our 20 minutes demonstration - with Rachel, Paul, Steven, Erika, Murray and Claire

Paul’s loud voice helped carry the explanation (though a microphone was in desperate need by the end of the day) while Erika (of Tokyo) was shikake to Rachel’s oji, demonstrating engi (kata) numbers 1 to 8.

Thank the gods for Paul's booming voice in the open air, describing our Naginata demonstration

After, Stephen demonstrated wearing only sune & kote, the next level of progression against Murray (as motodachi) where he displayed carefully placed Uchi-kaeshi, followed by showing how to hit the major targets.

After that, Paul and Murray upped the tempo in full bogu, demonstrating uchi-komi-geiko and kakari-geiko, and then light embu style jigeiko.

Paul and Murray demonstrate jigeiko (free practice) at Japan Matsuri 2011

By this time Erika san, had also put on her bogu, and followed that up with light jigeiko too with Paul. This was important, to show girls fighting boys, and boys fighting each other. Rachel then took over Paul, to fight Erika in light jigeiko too.

Finally, Paul took a shinai, and with Rachel we concluded our twenty minute demonstration with ishuu-jiai – Kendo against Naginata. This was a crowd pleaser, not least the crowd had seen and would see again, two local Kendo clubs.

Ishuu-jiai is always popular with audiences watching both the Kendo and Naginata demonstrations

In all, we had shown the shikake-oji, the uchi-kaeshi out of bogu, uchi-komi out of bogu, and then bogu practice: with boy-boy, and girl-boy and girl-girl combinations – showing that Naginata as we practice in our dojo, was for all ages, women and guys, and all physical types could practice this martial art.

Rachel, the London sensei, was really proud of the dojo turn out and packed out pavements of an audience, and especially pleased our beginners had contributed to the day by dressing the part, continuing to shout out explanations when the seniors were in full bogu, and hand out leaflets.

That free Matsuri t-shirt and bento box was well deserved!

Additional Pictures

BNA listed in the Matsuri programme

BNA 'tear-off' Japanese and English posters at the event - lots of interest judging by the torn off contact details!

Erika and Rachel demonstrate Naginata kata known as shikake-oji

Paul and Murray demonstrate uchikomi-geiko

Copyright Andrew Hong (US) 2011

This was Great Britain’s first time to be eligible to participate in the WORLD NAGINATA CHAMPIONSHIPS (WNC) under the International Naginata Federation rules. So an enthusiastic trio supported by a lone cheerleader descended upon the historic hamlet of Himeji, Japan.

There were a total of twelve INF eligible countries who could compete in the 5th WNC hosted in Japan which happens once every four years on country rotation, so 2015 will be the 6th WNC to be held in Canada.

1. Australia
2. Belgium
3. Brazil
4. Canada (their second WNC)
5. Czech Republic
6. Germany (their second WNC)
7. Great Britain (our first WNC attendance)
8. Netherlands
9. New Zealand
10. Sweden 
11. United States of America
12. Japan (the hosts)

Meanwhile, sadly due to the March tragedy that struck North East Japan, the earthquake & tsunami – two countries, France (that has the largest number of Naginata players outside Japan – they also have the current European Women’s Champion, and European Engi Champions in their midst), and Italy (which also would have been their first WNC) did not attend this WNC. But 12 nations out of 14 eligible, is still a very good turnout.

Nevertheless, we Great Britain were lucky to have three British folk already in Japan, Adrian Bennett (below, on the left) Mireille Watanabe (our current BNA Chairman, centre of photo) – both of the London Dojo, and Tom Laverick (a long time resident of Kawasaki, near Tokyo, standing on the right).

Also our lone champion supporter generating lots of cheerleading noise, Kevin Cockayne, 2nd kyu from York. We’re proud of Kevin having the dedication to go all that way for not only his FIRST ever trip to Japan, but also for Naginata. Kevin observed as the only member of the audience from Britain it was noticeable how few Westerners made it to Japan for the taikai, perhaps due to reasons mentioned previously.

During the opening ceremony, Britain’s Adrian Bennett made his presence felt quite dramatically by collapsing (primarily due to the heat indoors…and perhaps excitement) in front of a sizeable audience while translations between Japanese & English were taking place – such a dramatic feat is always worthy of applause! Fear not, he did recover after about an hour recuperating in the first aid room, that was the good news, bad news was he missed the other two, Mireille & Tom doing their Engi match.

Copyright Andrew Hong (US) 2011

The opening ceremony was accompanied by Bill Conti’s ‘Gonna Fly Now’ (infamously known as the Rocky theme tune) which lent a light hearted but appropriate atmosphere to the proceedings and once the shiai (matches) were underway it was clear that a great deal of training and determination had gone into each individual participants preparation and was demonstrated in their fighting spirit.

British Participants Efforts

British Men’s team Vs Japan

Friends, Romans, Countrymen: three man team event with only two British players (Tom, 3rd dan and Adrian, 1st kyu), against the Number One country and host nation. That alone would mean all eyes on their matches, some pressure you could say, but dignity for sure, most certainly retained by our British heroes. As always with these things, meeting so early on the Number One country for Naginata and hosts in their half of the draw, Japan would be favourites to win at any stage of the draw. Great Britain’s Men’s team in their first WNC, met the best head on, who would go on to retain their World Champion status.

Mind you it did take until the second minute of Adrian’s match for his Japanese opponent Watanabe (no relation to our Mireille!) to score a sune, so that was an admirable first minute on Adrian’s part.

British Women’s individual Vs America

Our own Chairman, Mireille, (1st dan), against Andrea Vyas (3rd dan) who scored with a single ippon Sune strike. Mireille’s first WNC, fighting with admirable spirit against a veteran shiai opponent who later went through the rounds to the semi-finals as the only non-Japanese in a semi-finals, and later won Team Silver as part of the USA women’s team, so that is perhaps a measure of how experienced Mireille’s opponent was.

British Men’s individual Vs America

Adrian (1st kyu) was lucky enough to have a bye for his match Vs Brazil R.Miyamoto (no-show), effectively putting him “through” the first round. Adrian then went on to his individual match vs America’s Kevin Saxton (a very experienced 4th dan). Saxton’s matches notably were won with two points. So this generated a great audience interest to Saxton’s match against Adrian. Saxton at one point during the match went on to over reach on a strike attempt, falling over in a forward roll, and rising in the up-right ‘fighting’ position – to the amusement of the crowd.

Despite Adrian’s loss, Adrian made Saxton work very hard to score those two winning points (see pics below) and this made the match one of the most exciting and memorable of the whole event. Overall then, Saxton won with two nuke-men strikes.

To put into context the two American players that our London dojo members met in their Individual matches. Kevin Saxton is the current reigning US Open Men’s Individual Champion, while Andrea Vyas is the current US Women’s Individual Silver medallist. Both players hail from Southern California Naginata Federation (SCNF) under the tutelage of Helen Nakano sensei.

The majority of the shiai was fierce and consisted of long ‘duels’ where only a single ippon was awarded, and often, no points at all: causing some matches to go into encho (extra time) where at the end of the encho, often still no point had been won and the winner was therefore determined by Hantei ie, the three shimpan, (referees) decide by instant flag raising (no conferring) the fighters performance and ultimately fighting spirit.

Comments from other western spectators felt ‘too many’ shiai were decided by Hantei, especially at this world championship level.

The Engi (kata forms) British pair (Mireille Watanabe & Tom Laverick) Vs Netherlands. The pairing that Mireille and Tom competed against, were the brother & sister polished duo Axel & Faye Noorman from the Netherlands, who ironically Paul Gray and Rachel HM, also lost to, at their first European Championships (last November 2010) in the Engi part of the championships. “Point being though that this was the first time Great Britain has competed at this level and although we were knocked out quickly we did put on a good display. I think we did well and deserve to be proud of ourselves” – Tom Laverick.

(l-r) Adrian, Mireille, Tom

We’d like to echo Tom’s sentiments here in Britain: the results below, betray with the exception of one player, ALL players below for the bogu shiai were nothing less than 3 dans approaching their 4dan, or currently 4dan level.

“It was great to see Naginata participants from Great Britain in the opening ceremony and proceedings of the Championship, not only as a symbolic and sporting gesture for all of us from Great Britain, the rest of the international Naginata community, but also because it was clearly a rewarding experience for those who took part” – Kevin Cockayne.

Mireille in particular felt the British sportsman like approach to Budo was to participate as much as we could to the best of their ability, in our first WNC, held in Japan, home of Naginata.

Sadly we didn’t have a women’s team, just 7 countries out of the 12 who attended the WNC, pitched in a women’s team.

Amazingly, Canada won Bronze, despite only having 2 out of 3 players (after their chuken (2nd player) was disqualified to compete). For a budo that in Japan is known as being “for girls”, this gives you an indication that Atarashii Naginata is still very much a man’s budo (martial art) outside Japan.

Copyright Andrew Hong (US) 2011

For those interested, the overall results here, Japan unsurprisingly taking first place in every category.

Women’s Team (7 countries):

• Gold: Japan
• Silver: USA
• Bronze: Canada

Men’s Team (all 12 countries):

• Gold: Japan
• Silver: Netherlands
• Bronze: Belgium

Women (22 players):

• Gold: Ikemi (Jpn)
• Silver: Ajiki (Jpn)
• Bronze: Sato (Jpn) with Andrea Vyas (USA) placing 4th

Mens (31 players):

• Gold: Tanaka (Jpn)
• Silver: Alex Bennett (New Zealand)
• Bronze: Itagaki (Jpn)* with François Dermine (Belgium, current European Men’s Champion) placing 4th

Engi (Kata forms) (where countries could pitch in a maximum 2 pairs (20 pairs, with GB & Germany pitching only 1 pair))

• Gold: Kijima / Kiyomizu (Jpn)
• Silver: Itai / Sato (Jpn)
• Bronze: Fromentin / Bucsis (Canada)

Copyright Andrew Hong (US) 2011

Dear members,

The Tohoku Kanto Earthquake that struck Japan on March 11 has been devastating, and we appreciate all of the kind messages of support that we have received from you. We all hope for a quick recovery.

With regards to the 5th World Naginata Championships scheduled for July in Himeji, we have received many opinions from concerned parties about what measures we should take. There seems to be quite a range of outlooks portrayed in the domestic and international media concerning the damage from the earthquake and tsunami, and considerable worry for state of the nuclear reactors in Fukushima. The news is getting better, and we are taking particular note of what the IAEA is reporting.. Taking all views into consideration, the AJNF and the INF deliberated on the situation and have resolved to go ahead with the WNC as planned. However, we have decided to extend the DEADLINE for REGISTRATION from the end of March to APRIL 20.

We will continue preparations for the WNC in July according to our original schedule, and very much look forward to seeing you in Japan then. Thank you for your continued support.

Kindest regards,

Hashimoto Kumiko
INF President

Miyagawa Shoko
AJNF President