Training with Sensei Chad Merriman

On the first of this month, Hanshi Chuck Merriman brought his son, Sensei Chad Merriman, to the Arizona Budokan for a special training session. Like his father, Sensei Chad is an accomplished traditional Goju-ryu practitioner ranked directly from Okinawa. He received his sixth dan from the staunchly traditional Okinawan Jundokan in 2008.

Goju-ryu is known for its practical, explosive, close-in fighting moves--which unlike more sport-oriented fighting arts, it takes directly from traditional kata. After some classic Goju warm-ups, including sanbon kumite exercises, Sensei Chad took us through the kata Saifa while unpacking its devastating bunkai and oyo applications.

 

Saifa is a kata that is shared between the Goju-ryu and Shito-ryu syllabus, so our intermediate and advanced students were familiar with a very similar version of it. It was wonderful to get a chance to learn and practice the close-in fighting applications that the Goju stylists derive from the form.

 

Sensei Ed DiNardo accompanied Sensei Chad and Hanshi Merriman to the dojo that night, 

and was an invaluable resource in unpacking some of the alternate and more advanced 

moves for the brown and black belts.

Everyone gained useful and interesting knowledge that we'll add to our growing tool box of kata bunkai knowledge. A warm thank-you to Hanshi Merriman, Sensei Chad, and Sensei DiNardo for sharing their expertise and experience with us.

We are grateful to have such a warm relationship with our traditional Goju-ryu
cousins and looking forward to having them back soon!!

WKO World Championships

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The 7th World Karate Organization World Championships were hosted in Phoenix this year by Hanshi Chuck Merriman, one of the most senior traditional Goju-ryu practitioners in the US. Hanshi Merriman taught an exclusive bunkai clinic at the Arizona Budokan last year, and you can find more about his history and accomplishments on our blog post from that event.

 

This was the first time in recent memory that a full-fledged world championship event was held right in our backyard, and five competitors from the Arizona Budokan took advantage of this amazing opportunity. Though none of us knew what to expect from an event of this caliber, we were delighted that our students came out as strong as ever.

Little Rose stole the show by placing second in weapons and third in kumite in a tough division--even more impressive since it was her first ever competition.

We are so proud of her, and looking forward to many more 

awesome performances in the future.

 

Sarah gave a solid showing as always, beating out everyone in her 

tough kobudo division except her dojomate and sempai Matt.

 

She finished with a third place medal in kata and second in kumite 

in addition to her second place medal in weapons.

Matt took two gold medals--one in kumite and one in weapons--

in addition to a strong second place in kata.

  

We're so proud of how he's coming along and know that he'll make an excellent AZB black belt before long.

 

This was a landmark tournament for Brianna, who was competing as a black belt for the first time ever. The double step-up in competition--first to black belt division and second to international tournament--didn't seem to phase her much (not that we were that surprised).

Brianna performed an amazing Saijutsu Shodan for the gold in weapons, and showed off her recent dedication to sparring practice by taking first in kumite as well. She rounded out her three medals with a second place in kata.

 

Brianna is wearing her new black belt well and serving as an excellent example for the other kids and teenagers in the dojo as she continues to zoom ahead in her training--as hardworking and cheerful as always. Way to go, girl!

  

Another hearty congratulations to Bri, Matt, and Sarah--

the rising teenage stars of the Arizona Budokan.

 

In adult black belt competition, Sempai Dawn took first in weapons with Miyazato no kon nidan, as well as earning a second place medal in kata, and third in kumite.

Our little group of five competitors came back with no fewer than FOURTEEN medals from this high-caliber international event. Everyone did a fantastic job. You are a fine example to your juniors and outstanding representatives of one of the most exacting traditional dojos in the world. Omedeto gozaimasu!!! Thank you also to Shihan, Sensei Ed, Sempai John, and everyone who helped us train for the event. We'll see you at the food drive tournament next month!

 

Yoneda-san visits AZB!

Remember Yoneda-san? Even if you didn't know his name, you may remember the exciting real-time bokken sparring that Shihan did when he visited Ishikawa-sensei's dojo in Kyoto last year. The blog post chronicling the trip to Sensei Terakawa's dojo is here if you want to refresh your memory. The video on that post doesn't have the footage with Yoneda-san, but it's available on the full reference DVD from Kyoto (a copy is in the dojo if you want to see it). Here's a still shot and a clip featuring portions of Yoneda-san and Shihan's sparring match back then:

Yoneda-san and his dojo, led by Terakawa-sensei (one of Ishikawa-sensei's top students), were extremely gracious hosts during Shihan's visit to Japan, and we were eager to repay their hospitality when Yoneda-san and his wife Kazami decided to make a trip to Arizona. After spending a week in Sedona, they headed south to Phoenix for a few days of training with us at the Arizona Budokan.

 

 Lining up for sword training with Yoneda-san

  

Practicing Toyama-ryu exercises with bokken

After an excellent training session on Monday that included both a karate application and sword class, some of the students went out for dinner with the Yonedas at a local restaurant. As usual, the martial arts conversation didn't stop once we were off the mat, and there were plenty of things to learn and discuss over good food and drinks, lively conversation, and plenty of laughs. 

We were lucky enough to have a second training session on Wednesday, where Yoneda-san took the lead in a special two-hour sword class covering details and application of the Toyama-ryu kata. We learned about fighting in small quarters, preempting an attack, how the body actually responds to a sword cut or thrust, and tons of other practical details (some of them rather gory--I won't lie). You really haven't seen a practically focused sword style until you've met Toyama-ryu Iaido the way Yoneda-san and his instructors practice it. Now I know why we have to add a little twist after a sword thrust, why hardcore swordsmen practice with heavy logs instead of bokken, and why you shouldn't extend that poke fully forward...

Yoneda-san explaining how to perform an effective kamae in close quarters and keep the length of your sword hidden from an attacker.

Focusing on important details of form in Toyama-ryu kata

We were so excited to see so many of the AZB students come out to support Yoneda-san, and incredibly grateful to receive the extensive and detailed sword knowledge he shared with us directly from our sister school in Kyoto.

Yoneda-san closed his visit with the exciting announcement that the Arizona Budokan is soon to become the official US branch of the All-Japan Toyama-ryu Iaido Federation, headed by Sensei Ishikawa in Kyoto. He stressed that this link would give us direct access to the best teachings that Ishikawa-sensei and his top students have to offer--including an easy avenue for our students to visit Japan and train at our sister dojo in one of the country's most beautiful cities firsthand.

  

Sensei Ishikawa, head of the All-Japan Toyama-ryu Iaido Federation 

and teacher of Yoneda-san's primary instructor, Sensei Terakawa

Sensei Ishikawa, Sensei Terakawa, Shihan, Yoneda-san, and the students of our Kyoto sister dojo

Combined with our strong ties to Hayashi-line Shito-ryu karate and Okinawan kobudo in nearby Osaka, this relationship now makes it easier than ever for us to facilitate study trips where our students can take advantage of some of the best martial arts instruction in Japan today, complete with translation services and world-famous Japanese hospitality. We're lucky to be associated with such an amazing group and are looking forward to our relationships and skills developing in the future. Thank you so much, Yoneda-san!! We can't wait to see you in Japan or stateside again soon!

Shihan goes to Rio!

Earlier this month, Shihan traveled to Brazil to teach Shito-ryu karate, Okinawan weapons, and Toyama-ryu sword to an ecclectic group of martial artists in Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro. The trip was sponsored by Kyoshi Dida Ferreira, a long-time Shito-ryu, kobudo, and sword practitioner in the area.

Shihan and Kyoshi Ferreira at his dojo in Rio de Janeiro

Rio is known around the world for its gorgeous beaches, enchanting music, colorful Carnival celebrations, and the iconic statue of Cristo Redentor that towers majestically over the city. Of course, with a full schedule of martial arts training, there wasn't much time for sightseeing in this complex and up-and-coming urban center.

 

 View of Rio from Christ the Redeemer

 

On the ground, the people are warm, loving, generous, and passionate about their families and friends. And the martial artists, as you might expect, are passionate about training and their dojos. One of the best things about teaching in Brazil was the dedication and respect shown by everyone from elementary-school yellow belts to seasoned eighth-dan masters.

 

Shihan smiling and laughing with some of Brazil's next-generation karateka

Before Shihan could do any martial arts, however, his hosts took him to meet Mauro Vasconcelos, the favorite to win a local mayoral election. The candidate called a TV interview to commemorate Shihan's trip to his district and to publicly show his support for the popularization of martial arts in the community. It was an unexpected treat to be broadcast all over Brazil, and we hope that the exposure gives a boost to Kyoshi Ferreira's dojo while inspiring more people to better their lives through traditional martial arts training.

 

 

TV interview with the future mayor

 Go Mauro!

Following Shihan's South American television debut, the teaching schedule began with an impromptu Thursday night class consisting of kids and adults mostly trained in Shito-ryu and Shotokan. Shihan spent a good portion of the session teaching the kata Ananko to stress the universal concepts of hip rotation, pivoting, and handling multiple attackers. The kids worked on the hiji-ate goho elbow series with bunkai application.

Learning Ananko

 

Following the seminar, Shihan took some time to discuss budo philosophy with the senior black belts, covering topics like etiquette, titles, hierarchy, respect for tradition and teachings, and more.

 

Discussing budo philosophy after training

On Friday, Shihan was invited as the guest of honor at a local tournament, where he demonstrated Paiho and the Kenshin-ryu bo kata Kubo, spoke with local martial arts movers and shakers, and presented the grand prize trophy to the school that came away with the most awards. Sempai Dawn also demonstrated Nijushiho and Sensei Demura's Kihon Kama kata.

The winning dojo celebrates as Shihan presents the grand prize trophy

 

 

Shihan demonstrating Paiho

 

Nijushiho

In the Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday seminars, Shihan taught the entire tenshin-happo series with bunkai and some oyo applications, reviewed Ananko and taught Shinpa, and spent many hours teaching basic Toyama-ryu sword kata to a mixed group consisting of Shito-ryu practitioners of all ages and rank, long-time Shotokan practitioners and sensei, and a seasoned group of Aikido instructors. There were even participants from Tae Kwon Do and boxing who stopped by to absorb hints and ideas for their own practice. The mood was warm, focused, and respectful, as martial artists of all stripes gathered to learn from the visiting American sensei with a direct lineage to their Japanese and Okinawan martial arts roots.

 

Discussing pressure points during tenshin-happo oyo instruction

 The karate group after studying tenshin-happo and application

 

Toyama-ryu basic kata #2

 

Shinkendo bokken sparring exercises

Scenes from Toyama-ryu sword class 

 

We would like to send out warm wishes and a big thank you to the people of Brazil, who welcomed Shihan with open arms, trained hard, and went out of their way to show him respect and the full measure of their overwhelming Brazilian hospitality during his stay. We are hopeful for the future of martial arts in Brazil, and believe that this is the start of an exciting road towards bigger events as the city gears up for the Summer Olympic Games in 2016. Ganbatte, Brasil! See you again soon!