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IMAF – European Congress and Seminars

Strasbourg, FranceThe European Congress and Seminars were held October 28th, 29th and 30th in this historic city with participants and instructors from around the world.

In the days leading up to the seminars guests were treated to a number of local specialties, including a tour of the notable city center that features the Strasbourg Notre-Dame, museums and a wealth of half-timbered buildings dating from the middle ages.

The seminars opened Saturday, October 29th with keynote addresses by Japanese and European representatives. More than 400 participants joined training in Aikido, Iaido, Karatedo, Kobudo, Judo and Nihon Jujutsu during the weekend under the direction of Headquarters division Shihan, and senior international instructors.

G E N D O精力善用自他共栄

The objectives of the Kokusai Budoin, IMAF, include the expansion of interest in Japanese Martial Arts; the establishment of communication, friendship, understanding and harmony among member chapters; the development of the minds and bodies of its members; and the promotion of global understanding and personal growth.

© 2005 Kokusai Budoin, International Martial Arts Federation All rights reserved.

Commit oneself to maximum efficiency, and mutual benefit in all endeavors

Nov 2005 – Special Edition: HQ Autumn Seminar and EU Congress & Seminars

Strasbourg, France

2005 European Congress & Seminars - Sensei

UPCOMING EVENTS

IMAF Latin American Congress 2006Date: February 4th – 5th

Location: Santurce, Puerto Rico

Contact InformationMr. Jose Juan CruzIMAF Americas Branch DirectorTel: +1-610-317-8094Email: [email protected]

IMAF HQ Tour – March 2006Date: March 20th – 29th

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Contact InformationMr. Brett MayfieldIMAF Americas Branch DirectorTel/Fax: +1-802-295-2603Email: [email protected]

IMAF HQ Tour – April 2006Date: April 10th – 22nd

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Contact InformationMr. Hans D. RauscherIMAF Germany Branch DirectorFax: 0049-7661-99132Email: [email protected]

IMAF Americas Seminar 2006Date: June 2nd – 4th

Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA

Contact InformationMr. Ray BarreraIMAF Americas Branch DirectorEmail: [email protected]

www.imaf.com/events.html

International Martial Arts Federation© 2005 Kokusai Budoin, IMAF All rights reserved. The IMAF trademark logo is a trademark of Kokusai Budoin – International Martial Arts Federation.

Nov 2005 – Special Edition: Headquarters Autumn Seminar and European Congress & Seminars www.imaf.com

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The Iaido seminars were directed by IMAF Iaido Shihan Kenji Tose, Ryosaku Yoshida, IMAF Headquarters Iaido 7-dan Kyoshi, and senior European leaders. Practice progressed from the basic through advanced kata, and provided a challenging environment with personal instruction for all participants.

Daily Karatedo and Kobudo sessions were lead by Karatedo division Shihan Kazuo Sakai, and several senior European leaders.

Tose Sensei demonstrates a technique for the Iaido participants

Throughout the weekend, Aikido training featured Shinji Tsutsui, IMAF Headquarters Aikido Shihan, and senior European leaders.

Directed, intensive studies of basic movements, techniques of Jo and Bokken (short staff and wooden sword), and other measures typical of the art were demonstrated and practiced by instructors and participants alike.

Tsutsui Sensei instructs European seminar participants

Aikido participants take turns working with Tsutsui Sensei

Tose Sensei discusses Iaido with European participants Karatedo participants



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Following the conclusion of the seminars on October 31st, Headquarters and IMAF France representatives toured the beautiful medieval city of Riquewihr where unique aspects of Alsace culture are preserved unchanged in their historical settings.

Special thanks and appreciation are due to all IMAF officials, members, friends, and supporters for their outstanding efforts that resulted in the successful 2005 IMAF European Congress and Seminars.

The 2006 IMAF European Congress and Seminars will be held in France during October. The schedule and location details will be announced. We look forward to seeing you next year!

All future IMAF events both local and international will continue to be featured in the Special Edition GENDO. For a complete listing of events, please check the official IMAF website at www.imaf.com/events.html.

Kondo Sensei demonstrating Nage no Kata – uki otoshi

International instructors enjoy a day of sightseeing in Strasbourg, France

Training began Saturday morning with a thorough review of fundamental techniques, and continued throughout the weekend to build on these basics with various Kata and Bo-jutsu practice.

More than 100 IMAF members and friends joined the Nihon Jujutsu seminars. Training was divided according to rank with Nihon Jujutsu Shihan Shizuya Sato directing the senior group, while senior international instructors lead the lower-ranking section.

All participants followed a challenging and rewarding program featuring fundamental and advanced open-hand and weapons techniques.

Sakai Sensei demonstrates a bojutsu technique

Sato Sensei demonstrates a nihon jujutsu counter technique - kaeshi-waza



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Following the lecture and demonstrations, all members had an opportunity to practice sword drawing and cutting under the supervision of senior IMAF experts.

Karatedo was directed by Ikuo Higuchi, Karatedo Hanshi 9-dan, and was the final session of the day. Higuchi sensei stressed the importance of rigorous training in the Dojo, where various applications must be practiced regularly, rather than the all too common sportive (and limited) aspects of competitive training. Basic Kihon and Kumite featuring a strong emphasis on efficiency of striking methods comprised the focus of training throughout the session.

Special thanks are due to all the instructors, participants, and members of the Ikushinkan Dojo who generously provided their time, expertise, and efforts in many ways to ensure the success of 2005 IMAF Headquarters Autumn Seminar.

Iaido kata

Higuchi Sensei demonstrates a striking technique

2005 Headquarters Autumn Seminar

Tokyo, JapanSunday, November 30th, IMAF members and friends gathered at the Ikushinkan Dojo for a series of seminars.

The day’s events began in the morning with Nihon Jujutsu practice directed Shizuya Sato, IMAF Chief Director, Nihon Jujutsu Hanshi 10-dan, and Judo Hanshi 9-dan, while senior members of the Tokyo Embassy Judo Club provided assistance.

Training throughout the session focused on fundamental techniques including nage-waza, kansetsu-waza, and osae-waza, and their applications in a wide range of situations.

Iaido followed the mid-day break and was lead by Tadao Ochiai, Iaido Hanshi 10-dan, Kenji Tose, Iaido Hanshi 10-dan, Ryosuke Yoshida, Iaido Kyoshi 7-dan, and Hidetoshi Iwasa, Iaido Kyoshi 7-dan.

Participants were introduced to the history, structure, nomenclature, and use of the Japanese sword in MusoJikiden Eishin-ryu Iaido.

Headquarters Autumn Seminar Participants

Sato Sensei demonstrates a nihon jujustu technique - kote hineri nage



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Yabusame is more than a martial art, as its roots are founded in religious offerings and prayer. The origins of Yabusame are said to date from the Nara period (710-784). The art of Yabusame is characterized by its ritual aspects, solemn demeanor, and its history of being performed as part official events since the Kamakura era (1192-1333).

The Yabusame ritual includes a colorful entry procession featuring officials, the archers and attendants, a ceremony to bless the event, and various preparations. Upon completion of these ceremonies, mounted archers ride at full gallop along a track with targets placed at 90-degree angles. The archers have only a brief moment to shoot and rearm, in order to successfully hit each of the two or three targets. The Meiji shrine exhibition features two targets, while other events feature three.

Meiji Jingu: 9 Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japanwww.meijijingu.or.jp/english/index.htm. Meiji Jingu is the Shinto shrine and public park dedicated to Emperor Meiji (1852-1912). The Meiji era is widely regarded as a turning point in Japanese history, as innovations and changes in society during this period established the basis of the modern Japanese nation.

Located in central Tokyo, the Meiji Shrine consists of three areas: Naien, or the inner precinct, centered on the shrine buildings; Gaien, or the outer precinct, which includes the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery and sports facilities; and the Meiji Memorial Hall. These areas are covered by a 700,000 square-meter forest of 120,000 trees of 365 different species, which were donated by people from all parts of Japan when the shrine was established in 1920.

Participants of the 2006 IMAF Headquarters, Japan March and April Seminars will have an opportunity to tour Meiji Shrine, as well as other areas of historical and cultural interest.

Archer releases his arrow

Autumn Grand Festival at Meiji Shrine

Tokyo, JapanNovember 3rd is Bunka no Hi, or Culture Day - a national holiday in Japan. Each year an exhibition of traditional Japanese martial arts is held at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo.

The demonstrations feature numerous ancient and modern styles including various Ko-ryu that utilize the Japanese sword, spear (yari), halberd (naginata), chain and sickle (kusari-gama), and other unusual weapons, Okinawa Kobudo, with its unique styles and weapons, and modern systems such as Karatedo and Aikido. One of the most colorful and spectacular events held annually is the demonstration of Yabusame (mounted archery).

Autumn Grand Festival Yabusame procession at Meiji Jingu

Archers enter the target area

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