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1st. International Taikiken Gashuku held at Sensei Kallenbach´s
new Dojo in Amsterdam. July 2005 . Kenpoka from Holland, France
and Sweden.
With a kind invitation from Kyoshi Jan Kallenbach I attended the
1st International Taikiken Gashuku to be held at Shinbuken´s
new dojo in Amsterdam on 2nd July 2005.
This impressive dojo is situated in the new sports academy just
recently built not far from the previous academy. The whole Sport
Academy complex is a statement of the art , and should encourage
and inspire many future physical education teachers.
The dojo gives a particularly good feeling when entering, as it
has successfully combined the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese
Budo dojo with a European flavour in very interesting, practical
architecture and planning.
The built in lighting is excellent as is the height to the roof,
tatamis in the classic green with red border, wooden panels half
way on the walls, and around the mats, special "parking for
the shoes ", a tasteful Shinden ( I have an identical one at
Yoshinken´s Honbu dojo in Rävlanda - strengthening even
more the special bond between Shinbuken and Yoshinken ).
Photographs
of the special Japanese sensei - Sawai Kenichi Sensei Taikiken –
Kano Jigaro Sensei Judo – Ueshiba Morihei Sensei Aikido observe
all keiko in the dojo. Kick/Punch bags movable on rails mounted
on the ceiling, Rack for boken and shinai. All activities can be
video filmed and viewed.
A particularly nice touch is a Japanese stone garden with bamboo
( to be planted )which is seen through the glass windows and doors,
on the opposite wall to the entrance into the dojo, this garden
is protected with a special roof allowing Ritsu zen to be trained
outside in all weather.
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As can
be understood with this wonderful surrounding a better start would
be most
difficult to beat.
Around 40 kenpoka from Shinbuken and from Sensei Jacques Legree´s
dojo in France attended. Some well known faces were there including
Sensei Wiert Postema, & Julien Porterie. The proceedings began
with a dedication from Jacques sensei and myself, these being placed
at the side of the kamiza. I presented Sensei Jan with a gift (
Crystal glass engraving of 2 bears in Tui Shou by Swedish Master
craftsman Mats Jonsson ) from Yoshinken Sweden.
The days programme was divided up under three sensei - Jan Kallenbach
- Hans Bakker - and myself, the theme being " San Shou "
= Kumite. We started with Sensei Jan and Ritsu Zen-Yuri-Hai and
partner training but with a difference - done blindfolded !! Hans
Sensei and myself continued afterwards with interpretations of the
theme for the day.
At the end of the keiko for the gashuku a special announcement was
made with the award of Gomokoroku menkyo to Sensei Jacques Legree,
for his longtime dedication to Taikiken in France - a well deserved
recognition to a popular and budo sensei.
A very important part of such meetings is of course FOOD and this
was carefully arranged :
We had an excellent buffet lunch at the academy, and in the evening
Sensei Hans Bakker and his wife Daphne kindly invited US ALL ! to
their home for a fabulous meal consisting of many exotic dishes.
All showed extremely good vigour but I believe some food still remained
unchallenged at the end !
Domo Arigato Kyoshi Jan Kallenbach & Shinbuken for a most memorable
day, and congratulations on a fantastic dojo.
Marshall McDonagh
Yoshinken
Sweden
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