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JKA MALTA SKA Members Training in JAPAN, January – February 2018
January 18, 2018 - February 10, 2018
On the 18th of January, 2 JKA MALTA SKA Members, Sensei Paul Falzon and Senpai Leanne Falzon, travelled to Japan for a challenging 3 week training experience at several of the most renowned dojos in the World, amongst them, the JKA Headquarters in Tokyo.
JKA MALTA SKA Members at JKA Headquarters – Tokyo, Japan – January/February 2018
The first week of their arrival in Tokyo, was a special time of the year for the JKA Honbu Dojo as it coincided with its yearly hosting of the mid-winter KANGEIKO, welcoming dedicated Karateka from all over the world – Japan, England, Canada, Norway, Indonesia, Turkey and this year our 2 members from Malta.
KANGEIKO – January 2018 – Tokyo, Japan
KANGEIKO is a traditional cold weather winter training, which usually takes place over 7 days during the coldest time of the year, in January. Its purpose is to discipline the body and mind whilst withstanding the cold weather conditions – every morning without fail – and is a vow of commitment to maintain the same attitude and spirit in training throughout the rest of the year.
KANGEIKO – January 2018 – Tokyo, Japan
Every morning, all participating Karateka and JKA Honbu Instructors started their training, together, at 7am sharp at the JKA Honbu, followed by running in the cold, snow-covered streets of Tokyo, to the loud echoing chants of ‘Wasshoi’ – a chant of encouragement for all Karatekas to be brave in their daily commitment. On Return to the JKA Honbu further training took place in the 4th floor Dojo under the watchful eyes of the many Senior JKA HQ Instructors who were present and participating in Kangeiko.
This year was unusually, also one of the coldest experienced in Tokyo, with temperatures at times reaching -1 to -3 degrees Celcius early morning because of snowfall, making it unbearably cold for many participants.
Apart from early morning Kangeiko, our two members grasped the opportunity to train 3 to 4 times daily at the JKA Honbu with several world renowned Instructors namely, Sensei Ogura Yasunori – 7th Dan JKA Managing Director, Sensei Imamura Tomio – 7th Dan, Sensei Izumiya Seizo – 7th Dan, Sensei Hanzaki Yasuo – 7th Dan, Sensei Naka Tatsuya – 7th Dan, Sensei Takahashi Satoshi – 7th Dan, Sensei Okuma Koichiro – 6th Dan, Sensei Nemoto Keisuke – 5th Dan, Sensei Chubachi Koji – 3rd Dan, Sensei Ueda Daisuke – 3rd Dan, Sensei Mae Shiina – 3rd Dan and Sensei Ogane Yutaro – 3rd Dan. All exceptional, superb Instructors with outstanding technique and charisma.
JKA MALTA SKA Members at JKA Honbu Dojo – Tokyo, Japan – January/February 2018
During the last day of Kangeiko, the early morning run took a different route for all to stop at the ‘Ushi-Tenjin Kitano Jinja’ Shrine to pray for blessing of all Karatekas present and for a successful year of training, followed by the final Kangeiko Training with Shihan Ueki Masaaki, 9th Dan JKA WF Chief Instructor.
KANGEIKO Certificate of Participation – January 2018
1st time Participants at KANGEIKO – January 2018
At the end of Kangeiko, a closing ceremony took place at the 3rd Floor Dojo, with greetings by Shihan Ueki Masaaki, Sensei Oishi Takeshi – 8th Dan JKA WF Vice Chief Instructor and Sensei Ogura Yasunori who congratulated all participants for completing Kangeiko despite weather conditions being amidst coldest in years. After being handed beautiful certificates of participation, everyone present was eagerly treated to large bottles of special Japanese beer, Sake, Shochu and delicious food freshly prepared by the Senseis for all to enjoy.
JKA MALTA SKA Members with Oishi Sensei
JKA MALTA SKA members with Ogura Sensei JKA WF Managing Director – JKA HQ, Tokyo, Japan – January 2018
KANGEIKO After Party – Chuubachi Sensei – January 2018
JKA MALTA SKA members with Chuubachi Sensei – JKA HQ, Tokyo, Japan – January 2018
JKA MALTA SKA members with Mai Shiina Sensei – JKA HQ, Tokyo, Japan – January 2018
JKA MALTA SKA members with Ogane Sensei – JKA HQ, Tokyo, Japan – January 2018
JKA MALTA SKA members with Hirayama Sensei – JKA HQ, Tokyo, Japan – January 2018
JKA MALTA SKA members with Tomoyuki San 5th Dan JKA- JKA HQ, Tokyo, Japan – January 2018
JKA MALTA SKA members with JKA Canada Friends – JKA HQ, Tokyo, Japan – January 2018
Kangeiko After Party – JKA HQ, Tokyo, Japan – January 2018
Our members were also deeply honoured when Sensei Oishi Takeshi and Sensei Ogura Yasunori approached them to personally express their well wishes, a special moment that both our members will treasure.
The closing party at Honbu was followed by an unexpected, exciting outing with Sensei Hirayama and several Senior JKA Members, an amusing, enjoyable and high-spirited afternoon of Karate Talk, laughter and Japanese Culture.
Out and About with Hirayama Sensei – Kagurazaoka Tokyo, Japan – January 2018
During their stay in Tokyo, our members also took the opportunity to join in training at Sensei Naka’s highly spirited Koishikawa and Akabane Dojos, whose members welcomed them with superb hospitality. Training at both dojos was led by Sensei Naka working on fundamental detail of Kihon, Kata and dynamic Kumite.
JKA MALTA SKA Members After Training with Naka Sensei – Koishikawa Taishijuku Dojo, Tokyo, Japan – January 2018
Senior Members and Instructors After Training with Naka Sensei – Koishikawa Taishijuku Dojo, Tokyo, Japan – January 2018
JKA MALTA SKA Members After Training with Naka Sensei – Akabane Taishijuku Dojo, Tokyo, Japan – February 2018
During Kangeiko week, our members also made good acquaintance with many regular JKA Honbu students, ranging from 8-9 year olds with superb speed and exceptional technique, white belts with commendable commitment and constant exertion to the best of their ability, to 70-80 year olds with outstanding determination, positivity and spirit who were an absolute inspiration to watch.
Out and About Tokyo with Tomoyuki San – KANGEIKO Week – January 2018
After Training – Out and About Tokyo with Friends – KANGEIKO Week – January 2018
After Training Sushi Lunch – KANGEIKO week – January 2018
A special view – Mount Fuji – January/February 2018
After Training – Out and About – Tokyo, Japan, January 2018
After Training – Special Dinner at Famous Tsukiji Market Sushi Restaurant – KANGEIKO week – January 2018
On the 5th of February 2018, our members were further joined by another 3 SKA Members – Senpai Yanes Nocilla, Senpai Yuki Fujita, Senpai Ezio Buffa – as they travelled to the Miyagi district for their final training experience in Wakuya.
JKA MALTA SKA Members – Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Japan – February 2018
JKA MALTA SKA Members – At ‘Tori i’ Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Japan – February 2018
Training was led by Sensei Atsuo Yamazaki and Sensei Tetsuya Kurosawa who led a dynamic and physically challenging Kumite session for all his fiery, enthusiastic and technically sharp students who were thrilled by our member’s presence and participation. A highly energetic and spirited atmosphere despite the painfully cold temperatures.
JKA MALTA SKA Members at Wakuya Dojo, Wakuya – February 2018
JKA MALTA SKA Members After Training at Wakuya Dojo, Wakuya – February 2018
JKA MALTA SKA Members after Training at Wakuya Dojo, Wakuya – February 2018
Dinner with Sensei Yamazaki and Sensei Kurosawa after Training at Wakuya Dojo, Wakuya – February 2018
JKA MALTA SKA would like to thank all JKA Honbu, Koishikawa , Akabane and Wakuya Dojo Instructors and Members for this great training opportunity for our members, JKA Honbu Member Tomoyuki San for his constant kindness, impeccable help and warm hospitality during our stay in Tokyo, and all our friends from Japan, JKA England, Canada, Norway and Turkey who have made our members’ stay in Japan one of the most exciting and memorable training experiences to date.
JKA HQ – 4th Floor Dojo – Tokyo, Japan
JKQ HQ – 3rd Floor Dojo – Tokyo, Japan
JKA HQ – 2nd Floor – Tokyo, Japan
