By Jokokan Honbu
This year's winter camp was Jokokan's 16th winter camp in a row. With over 100 registered participants of all ages and an enthusiastic cheering chorus of parents, grandparents, siblings, uncles and aunts on the sidelines, the camp became an intensive curriculum training camp but in a cheerful and friendly atmosphere that we at Jokokan are known for. At Jokokan, we have a set of values where we recognize the skills and efforts of others in a mutual respect and acceptance of each other, regardless of gender, race, age and political beliefs. In Jokokan there is room and respect for everyone.
Kimu Sensei had planned this winter camp in such a way that the curriculum within the grades of the divided groups was trained in a targeted and intensive manner. But so that there was also the opportunity to train with lower and higher belt degrees than yourself during the camp. After the joint warm-up, there was joint training under Kimu Sensei's leadership in the initial steps for a better Mai-ai understanding (distance/movement/time) during some partnership exercises. This was one of the main focus points for the lightly practiced group with more than 2 years of training behind them. The main focus points for all were correct postures and movement in these.
After the joint training, the teaching took place in two halls with a group division according to grades into five groups, each with their own instructor team. This is so that each group can be purposefully challenged and trained in their specific Yakami-ryu Gensei Karate-do curriculum. This also meant that this winter camp Kimu Sensei had opted out of Ukemi (falling technique) training in order to focus concentratedly on the chosen main points.
All Jokokan Honbu-dojo camps usually always culminate in a graduation session. This time there were 68 nominated for graduation by their respective local school's head instructor. Two more were set during the camp by Kimu Sensei. After the graduation session, voting and roll call for passed or set for summer graduation, the camp committee's Karina had again this year baked 150 tasty Mardi Gras buns, which were eagerly eaten and washed down with our sponsor coffee from BKI.
This year's 2006 winter camp again followed the script prepared for each Jokokan camp, and 150 happy and satisfied participants could spend a well-deserved weekend with a smile on their faces after a brilliant event.
However, two could not take time off yet; this was JDK Operations (Kimu Sensei and Jens Shihan), who subsequently held a Jokokan workday which only ended late on Saturday evening. However, JDK Operations agreed that this was another well-run and fantastic Jokokan training camp, which is living proof that Jokokan's set of values and guiding principles are working well and in harmony.
