.

Sensei makes his point

Bo basics are always the first order of the day at any Tesshinkan camp and this year was no exception. Here we see Sensei Tamayose using his bo to illustrate a visual point aimed at helping the students to understand the proper width of the stance known as sheiko dachi, which is one of the stances required not only for bo basics, but also for the bo katas, such as Shushi No Kun Sho and Sakagawa No Kun Sho.

 

The kyu belts take their turn

This year due to the large number of attendies the students were separated into two groups, beginner and advanced. While the advance class had a break Sensei Tamayose took the kyu belts through their bo basics. This series of ten bo basics is to be practiced ten times on both the left and right side, for a total of two hundred movements. It will take the average student approximately thirty to forty minutes to complete this minimum number of techniques when done properly. It certainly does make for a great warm up prior to doing any bo kata.

 

Getting it right

Always concerned with accuracy Sensei Tamayose makes a minor adjustment to Carolyn Simonis's bo during bo basic number four. In addition to her keen interest in Okinawan kobudo, Carolyn is a brown belt in Shotokan karate. A hard working student, always egar to learn, Carolyn has made a point of attending adult class since she was seven years old.

 

Always working hard

Cathy Quinn, seen here on the left, and Uwe Bartley seen here on the right, have both been to camp in the past and they always set a good example for the other students in their group. In addition to being members of the Tesshinkan, Sensei Quinn is a San Dan in Shotokan karate (FSKA) while Sempai Uwe holds the rank of Sho Dan in Shotokan karate (FSKA).

 

Maezato No Tekko

Cathy Quinn, seen here on the left, remains fully focused while Sensei Tamayose helps Diane Luszniak with the correct placement of her hand during the kata Maezato No Tekko. Sempai Diane also holds the rank of Sho Dan in Shotokan Karate (FSKA) which she obtained in 2006.

 

Attention to detail

Under Sensei Tamayose's watchful gaze students are constantly striving to improve. Here Barry Norman and Carrolyn Simonis practice the sai kata, Chikin Shitahaku No Sai, which is one of several katas that are required for the rank of Sho Dan. Like several of the other kyu belts learning kobudo Sempai Barry is also a San Dan in Shotokan karate (FSKA).

 

Everyone has a turn in front of the class

Daine shows good form in the sai kata, as do Chelsea and Katharine Kaye both of whom always come prepared to work hard. In addition to her interest in kobudo Sempai Katharine holds the rank of Ni Dan (FSKA) in Shotokan Karate. Chelsea and Katharine both successfully passed their Sho Dan grading on the last day of this years kobudo camp.

 

Sho Dan - the begining of a journey

It has been six years since I became a member of the Ryukyu Kobudo Tesshinkan and this year I too was eligible to take the Sho Dan exam. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sensei Tamayose for his time, his knowledge, and his guidance since 2001. I am extremely grateful for all three and all of us look forward to seeing him here again next year.

 

The end of another great camp

I would like to take this opportunity to also once agian thank my very good friend, Sensei Martin Nicholson, for hosting another great Ryukyu Kobudo Tesshinkan summer camp. We all had a wonderful time and as always it was great to renew old friendships and to make new ones.

Part the clouds - see the way.

 

"The objective of kobudo is to contribute to the evolution

of the human spirit through physical and mental training."

Sensei Peter Lindsay

©1995-2010 Peter Lindsay - All rights reserved.