British Naginata Association

In March 2013, we were delighted to welcome back Helen Nakano sensei, Kyoshi Godan from southern California, America. Nakano sensei first visited our British seminar in 2010.

Once again she was joined by our resident Japanese Godan, Hiromi sensei.

Hiromi sensei is currently studying at Cardiff University, Wales and with constraints on the availability of both sensei, we were lucky to find a mutually convenient date in 22-24th March, 2013.  So ‘everyone’ (with the exception of Hiromi sensei!) descended across and down to very cold, wet Wales (which, please note, is not England!)

Britain was still very much in the grip of winter, so many made long and arduous journeys through heavy snow and unpleasant weather.  For some that meant five to six hours driving.  For those who flew in, it took even longer to reach us. This effort was deeply appreciated by both sensei.

As this was Rachel’s former university, arrangements were slightly easier than might otherwise have been the case, but in considerable effort was still needed to keep the entire seminar running smoothly for both sensei and students. Thank you to Paul and others who did little bits to lighten the load.

Many students were delighted with the excellent sports facilities and noted the immaculate, clean and new, sprung wooden floor.  Critically a wooden floor at a cost we can afford – is something of a rarity in Britain.

We were delighted to welcome and impress visitors from Portugal, Germany and France, in addition to the foreign players who live in Britain, ie. work or study.   Everyone was warmly welcomed by the British Naginata students.

As London is the largest dojo in Britain, they had hired a mini-bus which brought the majority of attendees plus two foreign guests picked up in London. The bus also brought all the bogu for those who needed to borrow club equipment and those who needed to borrow naginata. No dignity was spared! Even Nakano sensei was “thrown” into London Dojo’s minibus!

Once again, generous donations and connections enabled us to ensure that everyone, guest or otherwise, was equipped with bogu & with naginata.  Even some clothing was available to borrow!

Nakano sensei oversaw the entire seminar, and the opening basics, commands and joge-buri. Both she and Hiromi sensei walked around and corrected everyone. This was somewhat of a shock to some students, as that meant considerable time spent doing joge-buri, with Rachel calling the commands. Thankfully Shuko (pictured right, perfectly straight and ‘in-line’ with a naginata), noticed Rachel’s voice flagging and took over shouting to keep-time (ichi-ni). Earlier, Nakano sensei had commented that she was worried she would not remember everyone’s names. Fear not (!) once again, much to everyone’s amusement, we had name stickers which every student wore on their right arm (Anne is shown here).  Extra yellow stickers were put on, identifying those who didn’t have a sensei teaching them every week. This meant both sensei would understand how and what each  student was learning and their progression in Naginata. Andreas (from Germany) pointed out that even he and Rachel (London) didn’t have more sensei senior  teaching them every week, but yet were teaching others and leading their countries -so both should have yellow stickers too!

Both Nakano and Hiromi sensei-tachi again appreciated knowing each student’s name and background. But the labels also ensured that students knew who each other were and made friends.

Like the 2012 seminar, we had a Friday evening practice of 90 minutes in bogu, for those who could wear full bogu (& one beginner without men). With long journeys just completed most, if not all of us, were pretty stiff. The bogu practice was held for people to loosen up and for Nakano sensei to see the students levels, which would help determine how much, or how little, she focused on teaching particular points during the main weekend seminar.

Rachel had to explain that with only two main dojo in Britain, London and Medway, and various ‘Northerners’ dotted around cities in the north of England – not to mention welcoming our overseas guests – this really was the only opportunity for many people to meet a lot of different bogu levels. Only London dojo puts on bogu with any regularity – and that showed! Not all students had arrived in time for bogu and a handful joined the main seminar the next two days.

It is always difficult to balance a seminar and budo which must focus it’s practice more out of bogu than in.  With so many fundamentals needing to be taught, and taken on board, both sensei agreed there was a lot to cram in and reminded everyone that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”.

By Saturday everyone had arrived for the and we were very fortunate that we had the entire hall to ourselves. However the high ceilings and football/cricket being played in adjacent halls did not help acoustics, and soon we needed to kiai louder than our neighbours. Rachel as ever, provided the booming voice of commands, and ensured students were directed to the groups, where both Nakano sensei and Hiromi sensei split their time once we had finished the fundamentals.

Again, both sensei wanted to ensure they saw every student. Ikkyu grades and below went into one group; Dan and the shodan candidates, in to another. Essentially this split the group along the lines of those who knew the Shikake-Oji forms one to five and those who knew one to eight. Later, as promised, Nakano sensei helped the three sandans, revise their knowledge and learn the Zen Nihon Kata forms one to five, with each of the sandans rotating around Nakano sensei. Rachel and Andreas especially were grateful for this as it is a critical part for the yondan examination, and neither has many opportunities to learn and  practice, unless they go to our Japanese dojo. Jana, thankfully, helped both and will continue to partner Rachel in England at northern dojo practices. Students were grateful for the opportunity to practice Zen Nihon during this seminar, but careful of it impacting on lower grade students learning time.

(Above) the dan plus shodan candidate group under the watchful eye of Nakano sensei: you had to be confident of shikake-oji one-to-eight to be in this group. (below) In the background, two out of the three the sandans are doing the Zen Nihon Kata. This made up the three separate groups, based on ability.

As in previous years, due to the level of support, BNA was able to extend the offer of friendship and invite as guests a number of foreigners who are resident in Britain and whose Naginata standard was senior and high. Their responsibility was to be there for all students, at every level; so they ‘anchored’ each practice and every student rotated around them.

Britain was blessed that, out of the six Japanese dan grade players we have scattered across England, two of them were able to join our national seminar. We were delighted to welcome former Japanese High School players and Naginata champions in their own prefectures, Shuko san from Okinawa and Masashi san from Shikoku (pictured here). Both these players had intensive more than ten years high school Naginata experience and are themselves still only in their early twenties. Masashi is at York University as an undergradate student and as a guy, is proof that Naginata isn’t “just for girls” – even in Japan.

The sensei were asked to use our guests as demonstration examples. In return we offered friendship and new opportunities to meet and make friends.  This was also an opportunity for the guests to see how different it is learning Naginata in the West, compared to learning in the Japanese education system.

Jana is also a former champion who, at sandan, was welcomed as a friend primarily to support Rachel and as someone who would help her out doing Zen Nihon kata. All three – Jana, Shuko and Masashi – were shining examples to more junior students: in terms of conduct, etiquette and their Naginata technique and hopefully made lasting friendships with British players. The sensei noted that both Japanese players were technically straight-as-dice and good examples for students to follow. However, they very much had in their blood – Japanese ‘high-school-style’ bogu Naginata and thus gigeiko (both Shuko and Masashi are picture here in bogu).

As adults learning Naginata, western players were advised to be careful not to ‘bounce and bend’ like Japanese high school players.  We have to behave and move in bogu ‘like adults’.  This observation elicited chuckles from one or two of the senior players. Shuko and Masashi’s timing was, of course, impeccable and came from firm foundations  in the fundamentals of basic Naginata technique. Something we do need to replicate.

Back to those fundamentals… the kyu group was with Hiromi sensei (seen from the back in the picture below left on the right-hand side executing the perfect hand position for furi-kaeshi….take note everyone). It was explained that furi-kaeshi, sorted the “men from the boys”.  It was ‘the critical technique’ to master for shikake-oji three-four-five.

Students please don’t forget Hiromi sensei’s lesson and the time spent with you! Hands above your head; in the middle… and finishing in the perfect furi-age-te Men position; don’t lean at any point; remember your feet – keep your chin up; and stand up straight!

The energy and blur of dan grades doing gigeiko can be seen in the picture below. During Saturday, sandans and guest dans acted as motodachi for all seminar students, taking the kakari-geiko exercise (that’s continuous hitting in ’1-2-3′ timing for lower levels).  This was topped off by ten minutes of uchi-kaeshi (that’s a set sequence) for everyone.

For seniors though, it was drummed in that only mastery of fundamentals and of shikake-oji would lead to correct cutting and scoring in bogu. Timing and distance and thus speed could best be mastered out of bogu. This still runs contrary to the instincts of our kendo players!

For dan grades, receiving instruction in shikake-oji 6-7-8 is a privilege, as so much of our time in Britain is spent bringing in new students and raising their level to master the core shikake-oji 1-5. The practice of difficult movements – and Nakano sensei spending a lot of time on 6-7-8 – was not only really needed but deeply appreciated for moving the senior students forward and upward.

We were pleased the weekend wasn’t only about Naginata.  We had fun too. People glowed, lost energy, regained energy and helped each other out!

Nakano sensei couldn’t remember if this was her second or third “Fish ‘n’ Chips” supper (below, centre).  Friendships were made (below, right) and continue on Facebook. Nakano sensei was entertained on her brief leisure day, before the seminar, with visits to Windsor town and castle (the Queen’s main residence outside London), that bastion of British-ness.  She saw a different type of “Changing the Guard” from the well known version in London in this tiny, historic town (below left).

Battling like the soldiers we thought we were: endless fish ‘n’ chips: Drinking beer & hugging like bruised and battered Rugby players.

Thoughts from others

Bruno, an Italian currently studying in the London Dojo:
“Quick message to say that I have enjoyed the seminar very much, both the practice and the social aspects. The organisation was perfect. Thanks for everything….”

Sandrine from Paris:
“I would like to thank everybody for your kindness during this seminar. I had a great time and felt like I was part of your group. To Shuko and Anne with whom I shared the room, thanks for the big bed. To Paul, Claire and Adrian, thank you for the songs ! I had a really great time wit you guys last night ! To everyone in the minibus, thank you for making sure I would catch my Eurostar train. Especially to Stephen and Francis who walked me until the Eurostar gate. Thanks again to everyone…”

Francis: a British student from the London dojo, the only mu-kyu who successfully tested for fifth kyu:
“I really enjoyed the seminar, especially as I felt that the other students were encouraging me to rise to their level. And it did my confidence a world of good for the grading to have Hiromi sensei personally run me through shikake-oji 1 and 2…I have a nice warm glow inside me”.

Colin, a British from Medway dojo, Kent:
“I really enjoyed it this time (not so nervous as before !) – a personal thank you…”

Anne, a student from Sweden, living in northern England:
“Thank you so much…. I had an absolutely lovely time and really enjoyed the training!”

Jana, one of our guest helpers:
“I want to thank you for a really good seminar in Cardiff”

The ‘obligatory’ group shot!  Nakano sensei seated right, Hiromi sensei seated left.

Great Britain is delighted to announce details of our 2013 annual seminar.

This will take place in Cardiff (Wales), on the weekend from Friday 22nd March to Sunday 24th March 2013.  The venue is the University of Cardiff.

Helen Nakano sensei will lead the British naginata seminar in March 2013

We are pleased to welcome, Helen NAKANO sensei, Kyoshi (USA).  She will be supported by Hiromi UMIZAWA sensei, Godan (Japan).  They will also form the examination panel for the grading with Rachel from the London dojo.

Information regarding the event (pdfs):

1. Welcome Letter
2. Schedule
3. Travel Advice
4. Examination Information
5. International Examinees Permission Form
6. ENF Examination Criteria
7. Accommodation Overview
8. Accommodation – Indicative Preferences Form

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

NOTE ON GRADING
Grading is to shodan only.

The BNA has been invited to perform a demonstration at the Japan Matsuri 2012 – a festival of Japanese culture taking place in Trafalgar Square in London on Saturday 6th October 2012. See http://japanmatsuri.com for information on the festival.

London Naginata Dojo will demonstrate Naginata in the two time slots, at  12.30 – 1.00pm and 2pm – 2.30 pm western side of the pedestrian area in front of National Gallery.