Courtesy of some modeling done by a visiting Japanese guest at the London dojo, and camera work by Rachel in the ladies changing room(!), we have uploaded two short videos on how to tie you hakama, here.
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.
Great Britain is delighted to announce that it is holding the next British annual seminar.
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):
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).
NOTE ON SHODAN GRADING
Gradingis to ikkyu only.
A small (belated from early Autumn) grading was held in the London Naginata Club on Saturday, 10th December 2011. The five participants passed, so congratulations to:
A quick update on events planned across the European Naginata Federation’s member countries in 2012. British members are encouraged to attend international events – if anyone wants further information on any of the events, just email the Secretary at “secretary ‘at’ naginata.org.uk”
Seminar with Grading (led by Jakob Ryngen & Hiromi Umizawa sensei)
Yes, that time of year to plan your train tickets and busy Christmas social diary
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.
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.
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.
BNA members from London dojo gave a Naginata demonstration at the Japan Matsuri (festival) which took place in London on Sunday, 18th September 2011. Information on the event can be found here. (Click on pictures below to see full size)
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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):
Men’s Team (all 12 countries):
Women (22 players):
Mens (31 players):
Engi (Kata forms) (where countries could pitch in a maximum 2 pairs (20 pairs, with GB & Germany pitching only 1 pair))
Copyright Andrew Hong (US) 2011
Tenshin Shoden Katori Shintou Ryu – slightly enhanced….
We have received the following communication regarding the Naginata World Championships due to take place in Japan in the Summer.
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
Rachel, the sensei, was extremely proud of the fighting (Dunkirk) spirit, for almost a full house of students from far & wide made it to the last naginata practice of 2010 in London, held just before Christmas.
White out - snow falls at the Britannia Leisure Centre
Folks had battled in adverse snowy weather conditions, from York, Surrey, Essex, Middlesex and Japan…while Paul walked and stumbled in from around the corner. We were absolutely delighted to see the return of two popular students now living in Okinawa, Japan and who had luckily just returned the day before, before Heathrow airport chaos shut the airport down.
Despite the warmth of the hall, and late arrivals due to the adverse snow weather, everyone got stuck in for what should have been a 4½ hour extended practice. The group was a huge range of ability, new students on their second or third time mixed with experienced dan grades.
In the dojo, nice and warm...
Unfortunately the locally living staff at the sports hall were less robust in their spirit, and kicked out everyone in the sports centre early “due to the adverse weather”, so our last extended Christmas Bash of the year, was cut short by two whole hours, much to the disappointment of students who had bravely fought late trains, and snow covered roads.
This made not only covering the fundamentals of shikake-oji (kata) and bogu practice rushed, but teaching of technical points over four hours, obviously didn’t happen as Rachel had planned in her mind.
With heavy heart we all left early, into the snow, and an impromptu snow fight between two students showed spirits were still high, despite everyones’ disappointment at the Christmas session having ended early.
Preparing for snow-geiko
We all departed for the local pub, and waited patiently for food (as their Chef had got stuck in snow…) and the usual banter and good nature of Naginata players won the day.
We all look forward to 2011 with the current students, visitors,”Japanese learning English for a year”, and Welcoming new potential Naginata students.
The girls
The guys
