Thoughts for Paris and victims of political violence across the world

The events in Paris on Friday night have touched off a wave of shock, fear and grief across the world. What is clear is that repercussions of this coordinated attack will be felt for some time.

The Club has a particular connection to the City of Lights, with members Lina-May Ramony and Jeanne Séronie-Doutriaux having returned there after both having studied and trained in Toowoomba this year. Both have been reported in safe via Facebook, which we are thankful for.

On behalf of the Club I wish to declare that we stand with all who hold the values of liberté, égalité, and fraternité dear to their hearts. Our thoughts are with the victims of politically sponsored violence across the world— both direct and indirect— as these acts are an utter rejection of the promise that the French national motto provides. Only by holding true to these values can we hope to make a positive difference to the world.

Change to training sessions this week

Just to remind everyone that Michael will be unavailable late this week, so there will be no Jujutsu, Systema or Seitei Iaido training on Thursday evening, nor Jujutsu on Saturday.

For those itching to train on Thursday night, please contact Stuart Shaw to see if Dragon Wrestling will be on!

38th Australian Go Championships

On December 5 and 6, the thirty-eighth Australian Championships for Go will be held at St Leo’s College, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane. A handicap division for kyu players is available so players of all skill levels can compete.

An 8p (8th Dan professional) player from China will also be in attendance at the event, so the Championships could also be a great learning opportunity for anyone interested.

Registration for the Championships is $60. An additional $10 is required if you are not currently a registered member of the Australian Go Association.

It would be wonderful to have Bun Bu Ryo Do represented at the Championships, so if you are interested in competing please contact Jared Greenstreet at jared.greenstreet@usq.edu.au. 

Tony's last (regular) night in town

For those that have not heard yet, Tony Schirmer is about to leave the fair City of Toowoomba to pursue the bright lights and faster broadband speeds offered in Brisbane. As a consequence, his last regular night for training with the Club will be this Thursday. I speak on behalf of everyone when I say that his regular presence will be missed on the mats, except of course for Tracy's feet — they probably won't might the respite.

To celebrate and wish him a bon voyage, Thursday night we will only go through to 8 pm and then head down to the Mort Estate Hotel to share some chip and a quiet drink (so no Systema or Seitei Iaido training this Thursday).

Of course this does not mean we won't expect Tony back semi regularly for Saturday training! But regardless of how often we see you, I want to wish you the best of luck with your future professional direction, and let us know how you are going when you start training down the hill.

Kendo news: AKC Squad training and upcoming dates

I wanted to thank John Isaacs sensei and the Kenshinkai for providing the opportunity to do some intensive training on Saturday. The weather was hot and humid, but the spirit clear and strong as we trained from 8.30am–3.30pm with people from the Brisbane and Gold Coast. Good practice, too, for the December seminar and grading.

For all kendoka and seitei iaidoka at BBRD, the 12th and 13th of December is fast approaching. We will be at the Collingwood Park sports complex at Redbank. The specific schedule for both days will be advised soon, though it will include continued practice for competitors and shinpan for the AKC.

Costs will be $30 for the weekend or $20 per day. Suggested arrival time 8.00 am for bow in 8.30 am until 4.30pm both Saturday and Sunday.

It is hoped that we will be able to offer grading opportunity to Yondan in Kendo and Nidan in Iaido. Again, dependant on available sensei or suitable members, Jodo grading might be offered through to Shodan. It is hoped that these grading levels will be confirmed in the coming week.

Grading fees must be received into the QKR bank account and grading applications to be sent to the president president@qkr.asn.au or delegate delegate@qkr.asn.au by the 27th November. No late applications will be accepted.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Tom Johnson: president@qkr.asn.au.

Jujutsu: Nage waza month

As always, new month, new focus for jujutsu. November is nage-waza month, where we will be spending more focus on techniques of throws and take-downs. We will be building on the foundations in footwork that we explored during the past month. Remember the three important aspects — kuzushi, kuzushi, kuzushi!

Please note that there will not beany Saturday jujutsu training this week, as Michael will be down in Brisbane at the Kenshinkai for kendo training.

Reminder: Training this Saturday at Kenshinkai.

Just a reminder that this Saturday, Kenshinkai is hosting a special day-long training session in Brisbane in preparation for the Australian Kendo Championships that will be held on the Gold Coast during the Easter Long Weekend next year.

If you are intending to participate at the AKC, you will need to attend. There will also be shimpan and officiating practice this Saturday, so it would be wise to come along even if your are not competing next year. And finally, if you are intending to grade at the December seminar, (12 and 13 December at Collingwood Park), then it is strongly recommended that you also participate, as there will be attendees from all over South East Queensland who will help you to refine your skill. Remember the adage: Hyakusen Renma (polished by 100 battles). 

So far we have two people definitely going down (Michael and Maaike), so we still have room for three more to get a lift in the "Tractor". We will be leaving at 6 am and stopping off for some breakfast at Plainlands on the way down. Training is scheduled from 8.30am - 4 pm, so we should be back by 6 pm. Please let Michael know ASAP if you want to score a lift down.

Seitei Iaido news

I would just like to express my gratitude for the generosity and guidance provided this weekend by visiting instructors, Stui Owens and Klara Lantray-Owens. It was wonderful to gain their insight and perspective on Kyudo, Iaido and Jodo. For me personally, it was inspirational to receive some advice regarding training post knee-reconstruction surgery. In addition, both Tracy and Maaike displayed their innate aptitude for Kyudo, which was awesome to witness. Well done the both of you!

There are a few things coming up for the Kohokai over this next month (and a bit). First, from 7th November 2015 till the end of the year, the venue and times for Saturday training for Kohokai will change. Training will now be from 10.00AM until 12.PM, at Mt Crosby St Michaels’ Anglican Church, 3407 Moggill Road, Moggill. For Toowoomba based folk you have two options to get there — via Mt Crosby or head into Brisbane and take the Moggill ferry.

There are also two date claimer.  First, Russell Lawrence-sensei, Go-dan Seitei Iaido and Jodo, has confirmed that he will be visiting Brisbane on 28 & 29 November for a personal visit and training with Tom Johnson and Kohokai, focussing on Iaido and Jodo. Training will be for both days. We will post more information as details firm up, but we are expecting a similar format to this weekend past with Iaido and Jodo on the Saturday, then Kyudo, Iaido and Jodo on the Sunday.

The second is a reminder to lock in the Qld Kendo Renmei Seminaron 12th and 13th December, at the Redbank Plains /Collingwood Park Sports Centre. More details on that will also be posted in the Kendo news.

Seitei Iaido: Date claimer

James Archer has advised that Klara Lantay-Owens and Stui Owens (both highly experienced iaidokas) will be coming to Brisbane for a full day training session on Sunday 1 November. Venue, times and further details TBA.

They will also be attending regular training at Monday night at Redbank Plains.

As soon as I know anything more, I will pass it on.

Prep for the Australian Kendo Championships

Next year's Australian Kendo Championships will be hosted by the Queensland Kendo Renmei and held on the Gold Coast over the Easter long-weekend. Time is quickly approaching to sharpen up skills to participate in, and help support, the event. I strongly encourage all kendoka in the Toowoomba district (and beyond) to actively support this event.

Ken Shin Kai, Brisbane will be hosting a training day on Saturday 7 November. John Isaacs, sensei has strongly urged everyone to come along for the day (8:30 am until 4:00 pm).

Please let Michael know ASAP if you are able to come so that we can arrange transport.

In addition, if there are some of you out there who have not renewed your QKR membership this year, you will need to do so before 14 November, so that there is sufficient time to process those memberships with the AKR in order to make you eligible to compete a the AKC.

I look forward to seeing everyone at training this week!