'Gasshuku Poster'

1st UK/Japan International Student Exchange Gasshuku Fukuoka 2007

This July saw the start of the 1st UK/Japan Student International Kendo Gasshuku, an event that allowed a delegation of British University students to participate in 3 weeks of kendo training and cultural exchange at Fukuoka University of Education in Kyushu, southern Japan. Supported by grants from both the Sasakawa Foundation and the Daiwa Foundation, as well as generous contributions from Sumi Masatake Sensei and Honda Sotaro Sensei.

The event saw the British delegation enjoying regular keiko with the Japanese university students, specialist training sessions with Sumi Masatake Sensei Hachidan Hanshi, and Honda Sotaro Sensei Rokudan Renshi, and attendance at the Gyokuryuki Kendo Tournament (a High school competition that has 1000 teams fighting simultaneously on 10 arenas, over a period of 3 days).

'Group photo at Fukuoka Uni of Education'
copyright George McCall, http://www.eikenkai.net

Keiko was broken down into regular sessions with the University club members during their normal keiko and separate specialist sessions for the UK delegation. These specialist sessions were often led by either Honda Sensei or Sumi Sensei and covered various topics such as kihon-geiko, waza-geiko, Kendo no Kata, and Shinpan sessions, all of which aided the development of the students understanding of Kendo. These sessions often included brief lectures or seminars where students had a chance to contribute to discussion or ask questions to Sensei.

Considerable time was spent focussing on the specific techniques that Sumi Sensei uses at the Dojo, including the two steps, one cut method and a variant of kirikaeshi. Sumi Sensei always teaches his university students to cut from a far distance, taking a smooth sharp step into Issoku Itto no maai from Toma then cutting on the second step from Issoku. This is reflected in the students Uchi komi geiko and Kirikaeshi, even in Uchi komi kakarite always cuts from Toma rather than turning quickly and cutting from Issoku or Chika maai. The same applies in kirikaeshi; the first cut is always taken from Toma no maai as well as the final cut.

'Sumi Sensei during ji-geiko'

One particularly interesting feature of keiko at the University Dojo (Shubukan) is their method of kirikaeshi. Instead of the normal two sets of yokomen they practice three sets of yokomen cuts. Kakarite cuts shomen from toma no maai, and then performs the first set of yokomen as normal; however after the last yokomen cut going backwards motodachi makes sure that kakarite stays in Issoku Ito no maai distance. Kakarite then cuts shomen with one step and continues the second yokomen set; again motodachi maintains the Issoku Ito distance allowing Kakarite to cut shomen with one step. Kakarite then finishes with the third and last set of yokomen, this time motodachi makes toma no maai distance forcing kakarite to use the two steps one cut method. After kakarite’s final shomen motodachi instead of stepping to one side and letting kakarite move past, steps backwards quickly and keeps in the centre.

Kakarite then steps away and moves around the back of motodachi, this allows motodachi to be ready immediately for the next partner whilst remaining facing forward the whole time. After receiving a few sets motodachi then takes the role of kakarite with the current partner and performs kirikaeshi. The partner then becomes the new motodachi and the chain continues.

This method of stepping backwards with kakarite by motodachi is used in many other kihon drills. Especially kihon geiko where both partners take turns simultaneously cutting men uchi or kote uchi for example. By stepping backwards quickly with kakarite and staying on the centre both partners and can maintain the centre line and keep their kihon geiko controlled and in one space. This is especially useful when in a very crowded area or a small dojo where space is an issue.

'Sensei receives a Wedgewood bowl as a gift from the UK delegates'

The Gasshuku also gave the UK students great deal of practical Shiai experience, fighting on many occasions against the highest level opponents from Fukuoka University of Educations A team’s (male and female). During the shiai geiko everyone fought extremely well and scored some great ippon, they truly rose to the occasion and showed tremendous fighting spirit. These shiai geiko sessions were held regularly under the supervision of Honda Sensei and the Dojo Sempai.

'The Gyokuryuki'

The delegation also attracted a great deal of press attention, acting as Ambassadors for British Kendo. They were interviewed on Japanese Radio stations, the Nishi Nippon Newspaper (a national Japanese paper for Western Japan), and even interviewed on TV at the Gyokuryuki Taikai. Alan Thompson’s interview can be seen on the internet at the following site http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nsp/kendo/gyoku2007/.

Most importantly however everyone became close friends and formed a real lasting bond. All of the Gasshuku members shared a similar passion, dedication, and commitment to Kendo, and all worked well together as a cohesive unit, showing great teamwork and maturity throughout. There was also plenty of opportunity for social activities, from sight seeing in Fukuoka city and rural areas like Karatsu, to group meals at restaurants and Sumi Sensei’s house, to drinks at local bars and clubs (a few brave souls even dared the challenge of Karaoke!). These new bonds of friendship are surely something that they will bring back home to the UK that will help the growth of British Kendo in the University circuit.

University Kendo is an untapped source that has real potential and I believe that we should focus on this as a way of recruiting and promoting young men and women in the UK to our art. New clubs are opening all the time and the University Taikai grows from strength to strength each year.

The UK/Japan Student Gasshuku provided an amazing opportunity for all involved, and I heartily believe that from here on we can make real leaps forward in the development and cultivation of Budo in the youth of the UK with similar ongoing schemes in the future.

Jon Fitzgerald, Rami Kallala

Our Newspaper article in the Nishi Nippon Shinbun can be see online here at the Nishi Nippon website

http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nsp/kendo/20070725/20070725_001.shtml