On the weekend of 11th August a group of karate-ka from all over Europe descended on the tiny island of Okinawa for a series of karate seminars given by some of the top instructors in the world today. The group in total numbered 69 people and was one of the largest groups ever to visit Okinawa for karate training. The list of instructors is very impressive.
ISAMU ARAKAKI SHORIN RYU 10TH DAN
EIKI KURASHITA GOJU RYU 10TH DAN
TRUYOSHI UECHI ISSIN RYU 8TH DAN
SOKUICHI GIBU SHORIN RYU 10TH DAN
MINORU HIGA SHORIN RYU 10TH DAN
TAKENOBU UEHARA UECHI RYU 10TH DAN
TSUTOMU NAKAHADO SHOHEI RYU 10TH DAN
MORIO HIGAONNA GOJU RYU 10TH DAN
ZEMPO SHIMABUKURO SHORIN RYU 10TH DAN
YOSHIO KUBA GOJU RYU 9TH DAN
Each day consisted of two seminars one by each instructor and the total training programme lasted five days from Monday 13th to Friday 17th. The quality of instruction was as expected outstanding with all the major styles of Okinawa represented over the five days.
As well as karate training there were sight seeing trips organised to many of the favourite tourist attractions on the island, such as Shuri Castle, Ocean world, Okinawa world etc. plus many took advantage of the scuba diving and boat trips off the island.
One of the highlights of the trip was the seanara or goodbye party on the night of 20th. Many of the sensei turned up to enjoy a superb meal and drinks at one of the top restaurants in Okinawa. Another good day was the beach barbecue which saw us enjoying a fine barbecue on one of the most beautiful beaches in Okinawa. Many took advantage of the water sports including the banana boat!
Another highlight of the trip was for some of the students to attend the small hombu dojos of the sensei. This was a real treat with these dojos steeped with history.
On the evening of the 21st the largest part of the group from Europe left for an extra few days holiday on Bali. This left the British members a few days to take in the culture or to train in the hombu dojo of Isamu Arakaki. Sensei Arakaki had not been too well so most of the training was done by his son Ryuta Arakaki and assisted by Marcelo Chavez from Argentina. All who attended these sessions had a great time and learnt much from both instructors.
As the weekend of our departure arrived so did the threat of a large typhoon, we managed to squeeze out just before it arrived phew! After a long journey home we finally arrived back into the UK on Saturday 25th. It had been a great trip with some great training and some great times. The island is superb and the people of Okinawa are some of the friendliest in the world. This was for many their first trip to Okinawa and without exception they all vowed to be back to sample its culture its people and its karate.
A few words from Sensei Derek Ridgway chief instructor KazokuKai International
Through these pages I would like to thank some of the many people who helped make this trip such a success.
Firstly I would like to thank all the students from all over Europe who attended. Everyone trained hard were a credit to karate and were a pleasure have with us on the trip.
I would like to thank all the staff and management of the station hotel in Naha where we all stayed. They made our stay very comfortable nothing was too much trouble and we will certainly be staying there again in future visits.
Thanks goes to James Pankiewicz owner of the dojo bar where a lot of us gathered of an evening. His hospitality was second to none a good time was had by all in the dojo bar.
A big thank you to Mrs. Arakaki and to Ryuta Arakaki for there help in organising some of the many events. They managed to organise discount and to obtain many things for us such as the coaches used, barbecue etc.
Special thanks goes to Marcelo Chavez who taught us at the hombu dojo. He showed loads of patience his karate is superb, and had a good knowledge of the English language. So thanks Marcelo we will see you again soon.
Thanks to Pascal Petrella my old pal from Mullheim Germany. He helped organise trips and was always there to help if needed.
A very large thank you must be given to Dave Wilkins who was the main organiser for the entire trip without Dave this trip just would not have happened. I know that at times it was a nightmare but somehow he pulled through and delivered. So many, many thanks Dave it is appreciated not just by me but by all who attended.
Lastly I would like to thank Master Isamu Arakaki who unfortunately was ill during our visit. I know he had a hand in much of the organisation of this trip before he fell ill and without his guidance and inspiration we would probably have not returned so many times to Okinawa. Towards the latter part of the final week as he started to feel a little better he would appear in the hombu dojo during training and offer advice and correct our form. On behalf of everyone I wish him a speedy return to health and a big thank you for all he has done for us in the past.
On a final but important note Master Arakaki conducted a grading at the end of the final week for his students from UK.
Congratulations goes to:
Ashley Griffiths Passed 1st Dan
Lauren Frearson Passed 5th Dan
Dave Wilkins Passed 7th Dan
Well done to them all
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |