Kagawa Shihans annual seminar
Kagawa Shihan’s 2023 JKS England Seminar took place in Nottingham on 3rd September and marked a perfect way to continue to celebrate the 20th anniversary of JKS England as structured today. Words often struggle to describe the nature in which Kagawa Shihan, 9th Dan Head of our Japan Karate Shoto Federation and Shuseki Shihan passes on his abundant knowledge and experience, but every time a course is organised, students always recall the instructional content, humour and smiles that have become synonymous with Kagawa Shihan, and which are guaranteed to make the event such a special occasion. The relaxed approach is disarming but not so much as for students to drop their concentration or intensity, something that the students need no extra pressure to maintain under the watchful eye of the association’s Chief Instructor.
To begin, Alan Campbell Sensei, Head of JKS England stood afore the class and alongside Kagawa Shihan to mark the occasion with a short speech. Recounting the two decades that JKS England has proudly shared with the JKS and the many benefits that this fostered as it has transformed and flourished, Alan Sensei referenced how those gravitating to and staying with the JKS as an organisation are often those who maximise what it can offer for them as an individual, part of a club and indeed something much bigger, which has so much value on many different fronts.
Alan Sensei commented on how fast the time has passed since the inception of JKS England and how it has become a melting pot of like-minded members who share common goals, ensuring their students are provided with all the opportunities and training needed to thrive along their journey within the martial art. Alan Sensei ended with how this blending to form the fabric of JKS England has resulted in organic growth, giving immense pride personally and respect for all of those involved with JKS England.
Alan Sensei then passed over to Kagawa Shihan who gave congratulations on behalf of the whole of the JKS to the milestone achieved. Kagawa Shihan, via a translator, was delighted to be able to share very detailed and descriptive words about JKS England and his enjoyment in being able to do this. Kagawa Shihan also briefly recounted how the JKS was founded and how the teachings being passed down evolve to elevate the skill levels and ability of the students in all elements of karate. This transformation is something which Kagawa Shihan has enjoyed and savoured alongside JKS England. Touching on the history prior to the JKS, Kagawa Shihan helped to give students an understanding of how to get the most out of their karate journey within JKS England by appreciating what can and should be taken from their world class instruction but also what they should accept may not be relevant to their body style and movements.
Kagawa Shihan talked about training under Asai Sensei with great fondness and how this has inspired his training and philosophy; one not just about raw power but one which utilises a whole-body action to generate fluid, whip-like techniques. The ability to do this at speed and with great control elevating one’s practice, and something which Kagawa Shihan has endeavoured to add his own layer of interpretation to, continuing and advancing the style and passing this on to JKS England members during courses and at international events. This openness of the body and mind, Kagawa Shihan added is crucial to embrace for future progress, reminding students that “Today will never come again”.
Kagawa Shihan was then very humbled to be able to present Alan Campbell Sensei, Head of JKS England with two very special handwritten certificates, one in a traditional and one in a signature style, adding a touching moment of celebration to this JKS England landmark. Alan Campbell received
these with great respect and together with a big round of applause appeared to make Kagawa Shihan smile even more than he already was. After this shared commemoration it would be over the Kagawa Shihan for his karate taking centre stage.
A warmup would come first, taken by Jason Lam Sensei who is soon to be travelling to Japan for a number of weeks of training and does so with the very best wishes from JKS England. Kagawa Shihan then started the class by understanding the role in which the hips play as the power centre in karate and that this needs to be couple with both joint flexibility and mobility to be able to maximise the potential in all aspect of karate practice.
Kagawa Shihan began with specific attention on the shoulder joints, rotating forwards and backwards as well as across the front. Students were encouraged to relax and feel their connection with the floor to be able to move swiftly and loosely, avoiding unnecessary tension which could stifle speed or technique. Students would then move to arm swings with Kagawa Shihan describing the feeling of how an age-uke (rising block) should be completed. Kagawa Shihan would show how to snap the elbow and shoulder and when demonstrating effortlessly, display the same proficiency which students would strive to achieve. A partner would then be recruited to check that the student’s action flowed from the ground up to deflect the partner attacking arm with ease.
Kagawa Shihan took time to explain the importance of the contact with the floor and how this should not be disconnected from the block. Tracking the trajectory of the power generation, Kagawa Shihan analysed the contrasting but co-ordinating focus of the lower and upper halves of the body. The transfer of energy was something which Kagawa Shihan had mentioned with Asai Sensei earlier on and how students should concentrate holistically on not just the contact point of the block, but how to support this and allow effective defence. The rebound off and use of resonance from the floor was something which would be mentioned throughout the lesson but in particular when the students came to deliver kicking techniques after first examining the hip action with punching techniques.
Kagawa Shihan would feature weight transition and the translation of one stance to another in many of the drills practiced. Students were advised to think of the action of wringing a towel to grasp how the body needs to function initially so that kime can result from correct use of the legs, hips and core especially. The timing points which need to be fulfilled were then practiced as Kagawa Shihan explored the blueprint gyaku-tsuki punch, reaching and driving to the side to bring together many of the components which had been visited earlier with blocking.
Kagawa Shihan would then proceed to identify the similarities and the few differences with kicking. Mae-geri was used first with students being recommended to pay attention to their hip position and how this functions to support the snapping leg for maximum impact. Pairing up, the class were given the opportunity to help each other recognise if their centre was moving forwards correctly or if it was moving backwards, reducing the possible power, speed and distance being sought.
Yoko-geri and mawashi-geri attacks would then be dissected. Looking from head-to-toe, Kagawa Shihan would cover how controlling the arms and upper body, rotating correctly on the foot and programming the release of the kick at just the right moment, are all needed to achieve the best possible execution.
Kagawa Shihan then moved on to look at isolating the concept of the twisting action and in doing so illustrated the meticulous nature by which he operates. This showcased how nothing can be overlooked in skill development and how one must be comprehensive and considerate about the thought process as well as the training being done. Students would use each other as a target to
twist on the spot to touch their partner before working to the opposite side and adding speed to see if they could maintain their balance and control.
A sharp demonstration of the opening move of Junro Yondan was then given by Jason Sensei who had led the warmup. This is a very difficult move to get to grips with but with the explanation from Kagawa Shihan and this demonstration proved how focused and insightful training can yield excellent results.
Kagawa Shihan would close the seminar by further covering how the earlier practice needs to be present in kata performance. Starting with the opening sequence of Jion, including the bow and yoi, and then moving on to Bassai-Dai, Kagawa Shihan would reinforce the day’s teaching points when required. There is never a moment which is overlooked when Kagawa Shihan is teaching and this is clearest when in kata the mindset, bow and return to ready position are all items which need to share the same thoughtfulness as the body of the techniques within the kata.
Kagawa Shihan would go on to use his very playful sense of humour to aid students in understanding but also remembering key aspects revealed throughout the seminar. Explaining how eye contact needs to be maintained and the example given to departing friends and how this would differ to “enemies” was a memorable highlight of another unforgettable JKS England event.
A closed senior grade dan examination would then take place with many students exhibiting (both physically and mentally) numerous traits that Kagawa Shihan has scrutinised throughout the day. A very special mention to Wendy Campbell Sensei who becomes the first karateka from JKS England to progress from Shodan to Godan within the JKS grading system, aligning rather fittingly with the 20th year anniversary of JKS England. Wendy Sensei is one of the most valuable figures in the running of JKS England and the biggest of congratulations go to this notable and deserved accomplishment.