by Farkas BalintLast weekend, Kiryoku Budapest was represented by one member at the Jodo training camp held in Turčianske Teplice (Stubnyafürdő). The event was led by senseis Toru Sakaue (8th Dan Kyoshi) and Roman Watanabe (7th Dan Renshi), who traveled from Japan. Since 2019, this has been the third occasion where we could learn and practice Seitei Jodo together, thanks to the joint organization of the Slovak Kendo Federation and Shinbukan Slovakia. From Hungary, we also trained alongside three members from the Shinbukan Association and three members from the Hira-Bu dojo.
The camp started on Friday evening with a two-hour warm-up session, where almost all participants from neighboring countries were already present. Even from as far as the United Kingdom, Andy Watson sensei and several other high-ranking jodoka from various countries joined the group. During this first practice, we worked on tandoku dosa and sotai dosa, going through all 12 kihon techniques.
On Saturday, we started with sotai dosa, and throughout the day, we practiced all 12 Seitei Jodo katas. The day began with a warm-up, followed by Sakaue and Watanabe senseis demonstrating two or three katas for us. At any time, we had the opportunity to ask questions, and they illustrated the techniques clearly, explaining the details we were curious about. After the demonstrations, we moved on to paired practice. While the participants trained together, the two camp leaders walked around, correcting movements and explaining technical aspects. Then, they demonstrated new katas, which we practiced afterward.
The two senseis placed great emphasis on practicing the correct angles, executing sharp and precise cuts, and improving timing. Their clear and detailed demonstrations greatly assisted us, especially when they first showed the techniques slowly before demonstrating them in real-time.
At the end of the first full day, after dinner, all camp participants gathered for a Sayonara Party. This informal gathering provided an opportunity to socialize, discuss the day’s experiences, and engage in personal conversations.
On Sunday, we started the day by practicing the 12 Seitei katas again. This time, the instructors focused only on the most critical points and the most frequently mistaken movements. Before lunch, the six highest-ranked jodoka performed an impressive embu, demonstrating all 12 katas in a rotating sequence between jo and tachi sides.
After the lunch break, we had a valuable and unique training experience. Inspired by kakari geiko in Kendo, the eight high-ranking senseis took turns standing on the tachi side while lower-ranked jodoka faced them with jo. They practiced either four or two pre-determined katas in succession. At the end of each session, we received brief feedback and advice from the tachi, which, considering that we had the opportunity to train with eight different tachi, gave us a long list of personal points to work on.
Throughout the training, we received a lot of positive reinforcement from the camp leaders. We were also deeply honored that, after the official closing of the camp, both senseis shook hands individually with every participant.
And are we looking forward to training together again next year? Absolutely!
