By Jokokan Honbu
This year's instructor camp was also the culmination of a long graduation process with targeted preparations since August 2006 for nine Jokokaners; 5 school head instructors and 4 school instructors.
The annual instructor camp is the culmination of the entire season's black and brown belt training, where all instructors are challenged primarily to their mental, but often also their physical limits. There is never anything secret about the purpose and techniques of such a camp. But all participants most often end up in the lonely inner battle, which, however, in the long run will bring them forward towards new horizons, self-insight and understanding. This was also the case with this camp, which all participants consider at the same time as the toughest they have experienced psychologically so far.
Despite the very good form of all instructors, everyone was pushed physically beyond all limits. Most people think that the physical test was a "Sunday excursion" compared to the I-camp.
This, in combination with the psychological pressure, had a reinforcing effect, where everyone fought to the best of their ability and survival, where everyone still had to meet all the quality requirements that graduates must for a Yakami-ryu graduation course. An instructor's camp consists of both "hard" and "soft" activities, and all must be fulfilled in order to pass.
The overview of the graduation test process
All instructor graduations take place over five stages, which are also final exams:
- Physical test - which ensures that the graduate has the necessary physical shape for the graduation process and mental process discipline according to setting seen over time.
- Syllabus test - which ensures that the graduate has the necessary skills and knowledge according to the level of requirements and responsibility in Yakami-ryu techniques, toolboxes and philosophy.
- Theoretical thesis test - which ensures that the graduate has independently formed images and opinions about the given key subject or free key subject.
- Shiai – free combat – which ensures that the graduate can use technique and psyche, and gain self-insight under extreme pressure and realism during full-contact combat with a minimum of restriction rules.
- Graduation course and teaching - which ensures that the graduate can integrate, understand, and communicate knowledge and technique with confidence and overview under all conditions to other people of all ages.
The physical test was held on June 7, 2007 in the TEAM Danmark center, Nautilus in Ballerup under stricter mutually agreed requirements and self-selection.
Location: Nautilus centre, Ballerup. Conditions: 27 degrees Celsius, humidity outside 70 %. Indoor: 90+ %
The overall average estimated minimum health score is approx. 60+.
Comments:
Weighing: Weight, age and fat percentage
Bronze circle 1: Same for all, maximum 5 minutes for all three circles
Race: Either 5, 8 or 10 km at a speed of 12.0, 13.5 or 15.0 km/h. Rise 0%
Cycling: Distance converted to watts based on weight 69 kg & 214 watts corresponds to 100 kg & 310 watts, and 73 kg & 328 watts corresponds to 100 kg & 465 watts
Circles 2: Final subsequent circles depend on the choice of speed for a given distance
It should be noted that the contents of the circles and minimum requirements can be seen on Jokokan's website: Physical requirements. Everyone passed without problems and in high spirits.
The thesis
The thesis consisted of a fixed assignment, where the graduates had to independently investigate the following with the understanding and execution of other systems;
"Based on your experiences and experiences after the essence gathering yesterday, forward to 2010 and combined with your entire training experience in martial arts, please write the essence of YOUR self-knowledge and assessment of yourself where YOU belong: martial arts vs. martial arts, illusion vs. reality, life vs. death, and what the essence and difference really are in martial arts and martial arts seen through your eyes in relation to yourself, your choices, responsibilities and life cycle"
Yakami-ryu has the mindset and philosophy that it is not maximally conducive to be closed in a "cheese bell", as this often creates judgmental, intolerant and less knowledgeable instructors, as the world out there is very big. The graduates' thesis was between 8-20 pages, depending on the degree level.
All theses were of very high quality and became a big "eye opener" for all the graduates, even though it had been a big challenge for everyone, as the thesis was "for oneself" and it is difficult to deliberately lie to oneself. All passed.
Yakami-ryu shiai – freestyle
Yakami-ryu shiai freestyle is held when the graduates are physically and mentally at the limit of their abilities. This is because all defenses are gone and only the "raw material" – the true knowledge of good and evil, stands unprotected and free. This, of course, where the graduate fights for his own survival at the limit of his own ability and inner struggle.
The purpose is not the "Macho - show-off aspect", although this is so close to a full-contact "Street fight" between top-trained elite athletes. The aim is self-insight, which can be actively used in later life. The graduate cannot lie to himself and all his "colleagues", as everyone can see the cash settlement, physical and psychological reaction.
There is only one way forward; either the graduate sees himself for better or worse and uses this self-knowledge and insight actively and constructively in life, or the graduate stops in one way or another; either by saying stop, looking into other systems with less demands, or recognizing that the peak has been reached and enrolling in Yakami-ryu level 4; Room for everyone.
The I camp is always a Yakami-ryu stage 3 camp, where there is not room for everyone and the requirements are much greater.
It should also be said that Yakami-ryu shiai is only used for instructor graduations and is therefore a small part of Yakami-ryu step 3.
Therefore, there is a CLEAR PURPOSE and a PROCESS in the design of Yakami-ryu freestyle, as the rules must support this and lead towards the goal, and in Yakami's case it MUST logically support and facilitate the transition from system 1; Yakami-ryu Gensei karate-do for system 2: Yakami-ryu Karate-do and beyond – physical, psychological and mental attitude.
- Life or death" experience, where the combatants experience their own limits, limitations, physical and psychological reactions under extreme and constant pressure, thus an inner self-realization can take place and boundaries are moved to the constructive and life-affirming future.
- The most effective and fastest way to do this is "50/50" floor combat. With the right rules, it becomes so primitive that primal instincts such as "survival", "recklessness" and "mercilessness" are awakened, and often it is the most ruthless who "wins" and not the "decent and nice".
- A 100 % correctly deployed technique will work just as well on a 10.kyu as a 5.dan, a monkey as an orangutan - that being a knock-out tsuki/geri to the head or stomach, strangulation, lock or the like. The difficult part is simply getting this inserted, when no space or instruction is given for it. A 0.2 second hesitation is enough to miss the chance.
Learning goals: This physical and mental attitude must be transferred to every training and teaching – every time and in both Kihon, kumite and kata.
- Short term: Create realistic and experienced martial artists. Secondary: to brand and create respect for the Jokokan association and its practitioners, and to satisfy ego.
- Long term: Through self-realization with "life & death" experiences, to create the basis for the choice and responsibility for a transition from martial arts to martial arts practitioner.
With the above, Jokokan Shiai IS created to:
- Instructors from the degree 3.kyu to 3.dan Sr. (“OKU KYU”, Shoden and Chuden), this is necessary and realistic. using rules and restrictions, self-awareness, choice and responsibility are fostered
- Instructors from the grade 4.dan to 6.dan Sr (Joden – Okuden), this is hardly realistic and should not be!, since correct mental attitude and "mercilessness" are constant and a real fight is unlimited in nature and not limited by rules, – and a match should be decided quickly and efficiently.
- Instructors from the grade above Menkyo, this is totally unrealistic, as a match will always be decided within 1-2 seconds, maximum 5, most often 0.
The first group fights within all their skills and toolbox, pushes boundaries and learns. It IS realistic and has a purpose.
The other two groups will struggle with increasing limitation of their skills and toolbox, inhibiting boundaries and learning. It has NO purpose and IS completely unrealistic.
This year there were a total of 52 matches with very high intensity. A side effect was one full knock-out, 29 full technical knock-outs of 3-5 seconds duration, 25 technical knock-outs of 2-3 seconds duration.
Damage statement: Leg broken in two places, cast & surgery, 2 toes broken or sprained, two beautiful blue eyes
It should be noted and emphasized that Jokokan Shiai as described above is ONLY for system 3; Yakami-ryu karate-do practitioners, and not for system 4; Yakami-ryu Gensei Karate-do practitioners, where there is a full kumite/freestyle test course, which includes protective equipment, semi-contact and voluntary choices under own responsibility.
Summer camp and morality
However, this was no more serious than that all instructors, with the exception of one who was hospitalized, could be active participants and instructor team teachers at this year's summer camp for all with a smile on their face. Which, by the way, is another Jokokan characteristic, that we don't make unnecessary fuss over things and cases that are not serious or that we can't do anything about. We try very hard to live up to our mottos:
- We do as we say and say as we do
- One for all and all for one.
- You can do much more than you or others impose on yourself by limitations.
- Humility for the task and "being" more is more important than "seeming".
- Self-realization under extreme 100 % pressure without illusions for the creation of your future on all levels
Graduation result
It was a great pleasure that the following graduates passed. Jokokan Honbu-dojo wishes the following graduates a hearty congratulations:
Soren Nielsen
Chief instructor
Jokokan Amager
OMOTE Degree, silver: 3rd dan, Yakami-ryu Gensei karate-do (Honbu 4)
URA Degree, gold: CHUDEN, 2nd dan, Yakami-ryu Karate-do (Honbu 3).
Optional: 3rd dan, Gensei-ryu karate-do
Personal title: RENSHI DAI
Martin Hansen
Chief instructor
Jokokan Korsør
OMOTE Degree, silver: 3rd dan, Yakami-ryu Gensei karate-do (Honbu 4)
URA Degree, Gold: CHUDEN ho, Yakami-ryu Karate-do (Honbu 3).
Personal title: SHíSHÚ
Kjeld Nyrup
Chief instructor
Jokokan Frederiksberg
OMOTE Degree, silver: 3rd dan, Yakami-ryu Gensei karate-do (Honbu 4)
URA Degree, gold: CHUDEN, 2nd dan, Yakami-ryu Karate-do (Honbu 3).
Personal title: RENSHI DAI
Janus Friis
Instructor
Jokokan Ballerup
OMOTE Degree, silver: 2.dan SENIOR, Yakami-ryu Gensei karate-do (Honbu 4)
URA Degree, gold: CHUDEN omote, 1.dan Sr. Yakami-ryu Karate-do (Honbu 3).
Personal title: SHíSHÚ
Brian Jessen
Instructor
Jokokan Battle
OMOTE Degree, silver: 1st dan senior, Yakami-ryu Gensei karate-do (Honbu 4)
URA Degree, gold: 1.kyu, Yakami-ryu Karate-do (Honbu 3).
Personal title: SHIDOIN
Rune Larsen
Instructor
Jokokan Ballerup
OMOTE Degree, silver: 1st dan, Yakami-ryu Gensei karate-do (Honbu 4)
URA Degree, gold: 2.kyu, Yakami-ryu Karate-do (Honbu 3).
Personal title: SHIDOIN
John Christensen
Instructor
Jokokan Frederiksberg
OMOTE Degree, silver: 1st dan, Yakami-ryu Gensei karate-do (Honbu 4)
URA Degree, gold: 2.kyu, Yakami-ryu Karate-do (Honbu 3).
Optional: 1st dan, Gensei-ryu karate-do
Personal title: SHIDOIN
Søren Greve Jensen
Chief instructor
Jokokan Battle
Personal title: SHíSHÚ
Jens Iversen
Instructor Honbu dojo 4
Chief Instructor KYU
Jokokan Ballerup
Personal title: KYOSHI
Jokokan Honbu-dojos and the Jokokan Federation wish all Jokokaners, supporters, friends and readers around the world a very good autumn holiday.
