By Jokokan Honbu
The sun shone from a clear sky and the thermometer showed 0 degrees Celsius. At first glance, this doesn't sound crazy at all, if only it hadn't been Christmas soon and the snow should have covered the landscape. But this did not prevent Jokokan's biggest rally to date from going off the rails. With 150 active participants on the floor of all ages and an equal number of grandparents, parents, siblings and friends during the day, the number reached just under 300 during the day - around 240 during the official graduation session alone. This created a wonderful atmosphere throughout the convention.
Ukemi (fall training), kihon (basics), kumite (sparring), Kata (fight series), Kenjutsu (sword) and punching pad training were both trained in the various rotating curriculum groups. There was great concentration, but as always during a Jokokan convention; a really good atmosphere and big smiles on the faces.
The convention was followed by the official graduation session, where 134 were nominated and registered. Graduation session began with a competency graduation for Kenjutsu Package 1 participants, where 85 % passed. After this, the curriculum graduation continued, for all degrees.
The fact that the students must be nominated by their head instructor ensures a higher pass rate, as the head instructor is personally the guarantor that all requirements are met to the degree set. This also means that the pass rate is relatively high, which is in line with Jokokan's value set of "creating whole and happy people who can do much more than they themselves or others tell them to". This was also completely successful during this year's final Jokokan convention.
Jokokan Scandinavia, a member of Jokokan Europe, will also take this opportunity to wish all our members, friends, sponsors and 25-30,000 monthly website readers all over the world a very Happy New Year and a BIG THANK YOU for the year 2007 that passed. We look forward to continuing together again in this new year; 2008.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!
