GALLERY — CONNECTICUT, JULY 2008
July 19, 2008 — I travelled to Colebrook, Connecticut to visit my student Julian Dove. Currently, Julian lives in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Since last summer, Julian has visited my Dōjō a few times. So, it was time for me to visit his summer home in Connecticut. The training started with some basic tuski, keri and tenshin techniques, and it progressed into Kakie.
Later that evening, we had a Video Chat wih Onaga Kaichō from Okinawa, Japan. Julian presented Naifunachi Sho Dan and Dai Ichi Kihon Gata. And Onaga Kaichō was very happy.
Here are a few highlights:
Enpi — Elbow Strike
July 20, 2008 — We started the day with Enpi Uchi 燕飛打ち, which is an elbow strike. First, we reviewed the basic hip mechanics of Enpi from two different stances: Shiko Dachi and Naifuanchi Dachi. Next, a few hundred reps...
Building a Machiwara
Julian and I started building a Machiwara 巻藁 — A Wooden Punching Board, which is an essential training tool of the Shinjinbukan School. In this case, we decided to use Oak wood, which in Japanese it is called Kashiwa 柏.
Next, we started measuring and marking the wood, and next, we were ready to cut. Coincidently, that weekend Julian turned 18 years old. So, the Makiwara Board was kind of a birthday present from his parents.
HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY, JULIAN!!!
We run out of time that weekend, but Julian spent the next few weeks training at my Dōjō in Manhattan. And he returned to Amsterdam. Next summer, we will complete our Machiwara: including the base and the width of the top of the machiwara board, which needs to be more narrow.
