(Yet another) Successful Trip to Okinawa October 2005

I arrived in Naha at about 10pm on Sunday 2nd October. I was met by Ito-san and taken straight to Taira Sensei’s bar, thereby setting the theme for the month long stay!

I trained at the Jundokan every day it was open, usually two or three times a day. The Jundokan hold group training sessions three evenings a week; all the senior Senseis run sessions which are well attended by members ranging from beginners to the most senior.

The feeling at the Jundokan is very focussed, and the emphasis is firmly upon promoting Okinawan Goju-Ryu. This is in contrast to the direction now taken by the Kyokai. There is a real family atmosphere in the Dojo, and everyone is friendly and helpful, despite the language barrier. I was impressed by the way that Kancho and all the Senseis worked together to ensure that the training at the Jundokan follows the direction of Miyazato sensei’s Goju-Ryu.

Whilst in Naha I enjoyed meeting Jundokan members from several other countries, including Richard from Canada, Brendan from New Zealand and Tony from the Norwich Dojo here in England. A couple of days before I left, Sensei Chuck Merriman and his wife Lill flew in from the USA, as did members from Italy whom I had met at the Paris seminar earlier this year.

After training finished at 10pm, almost every night was spent at Taira Sensei’s bar, and the instruction continued over a few Orion beers, albeit more informally! There was also obligatory participation in karaoke at the bar, great fun and surprisingly easy when you are 6000 miles away from anyone who knows you back home. We were joined at the bar by other Senseis, including Gima Sensei, Yogi Sensei, Ganaha Sensei and Kinjo Sensei. I was honoured that Kancho joined us at the bar on several occasions.

I was asked to grade during my stay. I was privileged to be graded Seventh Dan, and also very honoured to be awarded the rank of Kyoshi.

Unfortunately as the flights had been booked before the dates of the Memorial Celebration for Miyazato Sensei were confirmed, I had to leave Okinawa the day before the Celebration. However I was able to take part in the rehearsals for the various demonstrations to be performed at the Celebration, so felt part of the event. I was also able to bring back some of the first books and DVDs which had been produced to tie in with the Celebration; these were literally hot off the press, being delivered to the Dojo only hours before I was to leave.

I was overwhelmed by the hospitality shown me by everyone at the Jundokan, and was particularly honoured that Kancho took time out of his busy schedule to entertain me. I am already planning my next trip to the Jundokan, hopefully in 2007, and hope that some of my students and I will be able to get to one of the overseas Jundokan seminars planned for 2006.

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