Special Training Camp Report
copyright © 2018 Douglas Tong, all rights reserved
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The 2018 Tokumeikan Gasshuku: A great time for re-acquainting ourselves with old friends and meeting new friends
Over the Canada Day long weekend (June 30 – July 2, 2018), we hosted our 2nd Annual Tokumeikan Gasshuku for our members. It was held in Orangeville, Ontario at the Kushindokai Karate Dojo. This special training camp was open to all our members: members of our local dojos, as well as members of any of our affiliate dojos nationally or internationally. Our focus was on Yagyu Shinkage Ryu kenjutsu. It was a great opportunity to bring together all our fellow members, and enjoy the chance to practice with a wide variety of partners. We had some of our members from Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Montreal, and Tijuana attend.
One note: it was extremely hot on those days. We suffered a record-breaking heat wave with temperatures listed at 32.3 degrees Celsius, but with the humidity, feeling like 40+ degrees. I commend our stout practitioners who were all wearing full hakama in such stifling conditions. It was a test of endurance and fortitude to continue to practice in such conditions, but it was a special occasion, only once a year, and the practitioners made the best of it.
Our study group leader from Ottawa, Erika, wrote about her experiences at her first Tokumeikan Gasshuku:
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2018 Gasshuku
On Canada Day weekend, I attended my first Gasshuku hosted by Tokumeikan and Tong Sensei. Going into it I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as I knew it would be intensive and there was a lot of new material for me to learn.
The moment we got off the train any nervousness I had dissipated as I saw Tong Sensei’s smiling face as he waved us over to his car to drive the last leg of the journey to Orangeville.
On the drive we discussed what the weekend had in store for us and were familiarized with the town we would be staying in for the next three days. Sensei made the extra effort to even drive us to the dojo and then drove from there to the motel we were staying in so we would know how to get to classes every day and where the closest amenities were.
Friday night (June 29, 2018): Sangakuen-no-Tachi
A couple hours later, after checking in and having some dinner, we were picked up by Patrick (one of Sensei’s students) to attend our first class of the weekend. Patrick had put a lot of effort into organizing and coordinating our travel while in town and helped me feel so welcome with his genuine care for us to have a positive experience.
The class ran from 8 pm to about 11 pm and we covered basic warm up exercises and the first set of kata-Sangakuen. As the newest addition to the group, I was thrilled to get a chance to practice with the members from the hosting dojo as well as our group leaders from Montreal, Thunder Bay and even Mexico! Everyone was extremely helpful in correcting any mistakes I was making and made the practice particularly enjoyable with their engaging and compassionate demeanours.
Getting some advice on technique
The morning of the next day we immediately got into some rather advanced curriculum- Tengu-Sho. This third set of kata is challenging as it not only introduces some pretty foreign movements to most of us already familiar with handling a sword, but it also steps up the timing and distance skills needed to execute them properly. As I struggled through these techniques, each one of my partners walked me through it with a smile and the calmness and patience from understanding what it’s like to learn something new and difficult.
Saturday afternoon (June 30, 2018): Kuka-no-Tachi. In this case, kata #4: Kaboku
For the afternoon class we went through the majority of kata from the second set- Kuka No Tachi. In this set and the B level of Sangakuen you start to understand the beauty of this art. You feel it. The kata require you to flow, to not stay static and fixed in one place- both physically and mentally. This is a difficult thing to achieve, and very different from many other weapon related partner kata. With the emphasis of non lethal defence, these techniques teach you to utilize your calm and courageous mindset to meet your opponent and bait him in order to gain the position to suppress his intent to harm you.
A great learning experience for our newer and younger members
When the afternoon session was over we all convened at Paul’s (another student of Sensei) house for an amazing BBQ that he organized for all of us. His and Patrick’s easy-going and fun personalities made it easy to converse and be comfortable with this new group of people. I immediately felt accepted and really enjoyed the opportunity this gave me to socialize a bit and get to know some of the YSR family.
There was a good vibe of camaraderie amongst the members
After we all ate, we got a ride with Paul and headed back to the dojo for an evening class where we were introduced to the final kata, the summary of all previous teachings- Enpi.
This kata, although the most challenging, instantly became my favourite. The duration of this easily could fit at least 4 separate kata in the same time, and takes a lifetime of practice to master. I see this kata as more of a conversation, a dance of two energies that flow like water. It is an absolutely beautiful thing to watch and even more so to perform as you feel connected to the ebb and flow of your partners energy and movement.
The image of flowing like water, or moving like the waves of the ocean was a prevalent concept throughout the entire weekend, and one to keep in your mind when practicing anything within the YSR curriculum. It is not only a lesson in how to move physically, but also one on how to train your mind- to be fluid and adaptable.
Saturday night (June 30, 2018): Enpi-no-Tachi
After class we grabbed a quick coffee at the local Tim Horton’s and reflected on the day’s lessons and our insights from them. We discussed the ever expansive theory of Life-Giving Sword and it’s different applications, like not having to engage in battle by knowing how to avoid the escalation that leads to it. This was an enlightening topic to understand and I left that night motivated to employ it in my daily life.
The next morning we were again graciously picked up at our motel by Kyle (Thunder Bay group leader) to go to the dojo. Kyle was of great help throughout the weekend offering his observations and insights to help me relate a lot of this new curriculum I was learning and was an excellent training partner to learn from.
Examining the real meaning of some of the techniques of this style
Tong Sensei decided that, due to the immense heat we were experiencing, we would have a longer morning session and break mid afternoon and in that time we covered the B level of Sangakuen and the remainder of Kuka No Tachi. It was during this time I had the opportunity of practicing with Hector (Mexico group leader). His positive attitude and eagerness to help me progress was uplifting and inspiring as by this time the heat had reached an uncomfortable level and it would have been easy to be distracted by it.
Sunday morning (July 1, 2018): Sangakuen-no-Tachi. In this case, kata 1: Itto Ryodan
Throughout the entire weekend we pushed ourselves and challenged our physical and mental capabilities while enduring record breaking temperatures and all the while everyone maintained their patient, helpful and joyful attitudes while demonstrating and guiding some of us through these techniques that were new to us. I felt so blessed to be a part of this group and to have been exposed to this Life Giving Sword. The lessons of the sword permeate past the dojo and into those that practice it- the evidence was all around me.
Explaining some of the philosophy behind the techniques
For Sunday’s dinner, Patrick had also invited us into his house and prepared a wonderful meal for us all to share. By this time we were all pretty comfortable and conversation was easy as we all sat around a dining room table and ate. It felt like I imagine family or old friend reunions to be like – laughter, acceptance and a genuine enjoyment of each other’s company.
Sunday night (July 1, 2018): Tengu-Sho
For my final class, we spent more time on Enpi and revisited Tengu-Sho. I had the pleasure of working with Derek’s (Montreal group leader) student Nikolas while learning the end of Enpi – who’s compassionate and encouraging nature was so comforting for me while I continued to make numerous mistakes and forget the steps of this brand new and complex kata.
Sunday night (July 1, 2018): Enpi-no-Tachi
I had learned so many new things this weekend and gained so much motivation to practice that I didn’t want this class to end! Tong Sensei and Derek had demonstrated beautifully throughout the seminar what I will strive to achieve in performing all these kata and in how to conduct myself, and I was left with tremendous examples to draw motivation from and to try to emulate.
Tong Sensei and Lo Sensei demonstrating
The hospitality and kindness we were shown this weekend was heartwarming. The calmness and fluidity of this school of swordsmanship has the ability to transform one’s life, and likely will if you’re open to it. I can only hope to reach the same level of authenticity and decency that I saw in Orangeville within the YSR group – they made my world a better place, and that’s the best thing we can hope to achieve for others in this lifetime.
Monday morning (July 2, 2018): Enpi-no-Tachi
My deepest thanks to Tong Sensei for his wisdom and wealth of knowledge he compassionately shares with all of us. His passion for this art is evident and is infectious and I am so grateful to be his student.
And also my heartfelt appreciation for all that was shared with us and all the help that was given by his students to make this my most enjoyable training experience thus far.
I look forward to next year!
Erika Gaal
Study Group Leader
Meishinkan (Tokumeikan study group East)
Happy times!
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In addition, Derek Lo, our study group leader in Montreal, also put down his recollections from this special weekend:
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The Tokumeikan Gasshuku 2018 was a great success. Being the first time that we had our newer members from Ottawa and Montreal attend, as well as Hector and Roman from Mexico make the long journey as well, it was a special event. Many thanks to everyone who participated! 😉
Douglas Tong
Tokumeikan
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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For more photos from this event, please visit either of these sites:
Tokumeikan’s Facebook page: Tokumeikan on Facebook
Tong Sensei’s Facebook page: Tong Sensei on Facebook