Jujutsu news

Things have been ticking along well in both Toowoomba and Gin Gin with steady numbers in all classes save Monday nights. This week is the last for our monthly focus on nage wasa though as I have mentioned in both locations, we will continue to use what we have learned this month as transition into our ne wasa focus for June. 

We appear to not have been able to generate sufficient interest for Monday nights in Toowoomba. Unfortunately, we will have to pull the pin on a longer term basis unless we are in a position to run a class either this week or next. If Brady does not get sufficient interest in either of these sessions, we will take a hiatus for classes till the first week of July, when we shall then re-evaluate the times. 

We will be doing a further review of training times based on my availability due to study commitments in early July, so your input will be critical. At present the only time I can commit to are Saturday sessions, so we will have to play things by ear once my timetable is set. 

As mentioned in Sean’s post, we will be putting together a Club Tozando order in the next week or so to time with the upcoming QKR seminar. For those of you interested in a Grapplingstore order for knee pads etc. compression shorts or other equipment/uniforms they supply, please let me know in the next fortnight as I will be putting in an order with them as well. Grapplingstore have changed their terms of service, so while we still receive a discount, they have asked that we do a minimum $100 order before they ship. 

As always will look forward to seeing you in the dojo! 

Michael B
Head Instructor

Kendo news and Tozando order

Hi Everyone.

With the QKR seminar grading fast approaching, all of us who look to challenge are steaming ahead on target. This brings into question whether or not you have all of the equipment you may need. If the answer for you is no, I have some good news! I have been pushing for a few months and now am getting enough interest to be able to put together an order from Tozando. So if you think if there is anything you may want or need please put in your request.

We have a great relationship with the Kyoto-based company and get a Club discount off their already very affordable pricing.  Have a look at their website and let me know by week’s end what you are interested in. Once all the potential orders are in, we will be able to calculate shipping cost and you can then transfer monies into the Club account. We want to ensure that the order is sent off no later than Thursday next week to try and ensure that it arrives before the seminar.Pplease try to be fast with decision making as shipping can take some time. If Tozando do not have an item in stock.

In other news every one is progressing well, Welcome to Jones Wong, and thanks for the fun practice. I also attended the first of the QKR monthly mini seminars on Saturday and had a blast. I’m looking forward to the next scheduled one in June, and it will be great to see more of the Toowoomba-based kendoka there.

Sean T. 
Kendo Coordinator

Gin Gin class on tonight

While it is Labor Day in Queensland today, I still have to head up to Bundaberg tonight to present myself for 9 am Physio classes tomorrow. Therefore, I will be making my usual stop in Gin Gin this evening to run a Jujutsu class. 

We have ticked over to a new month, and so our emphasis will be changing for the next few weeks. However, tonight we will still be doing a capstone review of our kansetsu wasa before examining more of the nage wasa.  

Hope to see folk there tonight! 

Congratulations for successful jujutsu gradings

I am very pleased to announce that both Jack Baker and Sean Thompson were successful in their jujutsu shinsa on Saturday. 

Jack has been long overdue a grading attempt, having missed a few opportunities to challenge for 6KYU. He ably demonstrated the requirements for the grade on Saturday, and will be leaving Toowoomba with the right to wear a blue belt in training. Sean was a last minute inclusion for the grade, but amply demonstrated the requirements for 8KYU.

As always, shinsa lets people know about what they need to focus on next, and is an important tool to frame your training journey, rather than see as a destination to reach. Many thanks to Brady for his role as dojo steward, and to Dylan G, back to the dojo after a break, in his role as uke. 

My intention is to hold another grading opportunity in November, and I would like to see many more accept the challenge at that time.  

Congratulations Isaacs Sensei

On the 30th of April, we received the news from Tamura Sensei that John Isaacs Sensei, chief instructor of Kenshinkai and Head coach of QLD AKC Squad, had successfully challenged for the rank of nanadan (7th Dan) Kendo, in Kyoto in Japan. I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate him on behalf of the combined Bun Bu Ryo Do and Mu Shin Itto Kendo Clubs. Please join me in congratulating Isaacs Sensei.

Isaacs Sensei’s grading Match 1

Match 2

Sean T- Kendo Coordinator

Toowoomba Jujutsu Classes for May

Hi all,

Due to the Labor Day holiday tomorrow, there will be no jujutsu training.

Furthermore, due to low attendance, Monday night training will be held only when there are three people who have gotten onto Brady to express their availability to train on a Monday night. Since numbers have been low on Mondays, this has become a necessary step to keep the night of training viable for the club.

So, if you want to and are available to train on Mondays, message Brady no later than 4:30pm on Monday to let him know so that a decision can be made around training for the night. Remember there needs to be a minimum of three people for training.

I look forward to seeing everyone on the mats shortly and congratulations to those who successfully challenged a grade over the weekend.

B

News from the North

It has been a fairly intense week up north, with me away in Rockhampton attending a residential school for the exercise science course I am currently undertaking. Despite the best intentions, there was little chance to carve out time to even get a little bit of suburi practice over the weekend, so I am looking forward to starting off the training week right by heading to Gin Gin for Jujutsu tonight. Remember, 6 pm for a 6.30 pm start!

It has been great to see steady numbers at the Gin Gin dojo across Jujutsu, Kendo and Iaido, and we are hoping that with some local advertising we might encourage a few more of the locals to come along to class.  

I will not be back in Toowoomba till late Friday evening, as I have a oral presentation to make a little after Friday lunchtime for my Physiotherapy course. I will look forward to catching up with everyone on the weekend, and will leave training in the able hands of Brady, Kateena, Sean, Sian and Tracy to direct the weekday practices till I return. 

Can I also remind folk that are contemplating challenging for a jujutsu grade on Saturday that you must contact me ASAP with your intentions. I need some time to ensure that all the paperwork is in order for the day. If you are unsure of which grade you may be eligible to challenge for, we can have a quick chat. 

Have a marvellous week everyone, and whatever you are up to — gambatte! 

Regular practice to resume this week + Kendo Related news

With Easter break and Anzac Day public holidays and Sensei away studying, we’ve had a pretty disrupted practice schedule. With all that out of the way we can resume regular practice and with roughly 12 weeks practice the majority of us need to get cracking to have the best possible shot at making the grade. Remember Grading forms are Downloadable from the AKR Website

In other news a few weekends ago held two big events on the Kendo calendar. First the lesser of the two but by no means small was the Australian Kendo Championships (AKC). Held in Perth WA, our best Kenshi performed on the national stage. Our team showed great spirit and fought hard, but the competition was just to much. Our Women’s Dan team managed to near the summit achieving Bronze in the Women’s Dan Team Division. The second significant event from the Kendo calendar was the All Japan 8th Dan Championships. The two day invitational Tournament brought the best 8th Dan masters from all over Japan. Many former All Japan and World champions competed displaying some of the most beautiful Kendo. In the end it was Naoki Eiga sensei on his first time entering the AJ8DC won outright with some amazing displays. This is a video of the Finals for interest.

Sean T

Kendo Coordinator

Jujutsu this week: Monday 29 April 2019

Morning all,

This week in jujutsu will be focused around preparation for the upcoming grading opportunity. Can I please as that you let myself know if you will be attending training this week so that suitable arrangements can be made for class content. Michael will not be at back in Toowoomba until the end of the week, so I will be taking both classes.

For tonight’s class, can I ask that you let me know directly if you will be attending.

For Thursday, things will need run slightly differently. I will be at parent teacher interviews until just after 6pm and will be heading directly to the dojo for jujutsu. But since I may be a touch late, Jack, as a more senior student, has agreed to oversee the set up and beginning of the warm up in my absence. As soon as I arrive I will be on the mat and we will continue with class as normal.

Can I please ask that if you will not make an evening this week that you let me know as soon as convenient.

Best of luck in the upcoming grading!

BBRD Jujutsu grading opportunity Saturday 4 May

There will be an available grading opportunity for Jujutsu on Saturday 4 May. We shall be starting at 10.30 am at the MEAC. 

Those interested in challenging for a grade must notify me of their intention, and deposit the $30 grading fee into the Club’s account no later than Friday 3 May. 

Make sure that you have a look at the required grading sheet to assess the criteria against which you will be assessed. If you do not have access to one for the grade you are attempting, please contact me urgently so I can send a copy through to you. 

The lead up to this grading is less than ideal due to a number of factors, including my being away till the day of the grading and other dates in May being unavailable. I would strongly urge that you work closely with Brady in class so sharpen up your skills and/or clarify with him any issues regarding the syllabus. 

Gambatte!