British Wadokai Grading Information & Rules

Transcription

1 British Wadokai Grading Information & Rules Basic Dojo Protocol. 1. Turn off all mobile phones/electronics before commencing training. 2. Remove (or safely cover) ALL Jewellery before training! Pictured below: Classic injuries as a result of wearing jewellery in the Dojo. Pictures 1 & 2. Two examples. Fingers almost degloved from grappling practise. Picture 3. Earring torn from lobe as a result of being kicked. Picture 4. Hit by a ring-wearingopponent during normal partner-practise. Jewellery that cannot be removed must be safe & securely covered. To avoid injury to your partner OR YOURSELF! 3. Always bow (tachi-rei) towards the Shomen/Kamiza when entering and leaving the Dojo. 4. Always bow to senior grades and refer to the instructor as SENSEI especially while he is wearing a Gi. The process of bowing towards each other is also considered good Dojo etiquette and must be encouraged at all times. Obey the commands of all senior grades. 5. On the command of Seiretsu; Line up quickly and quietly in rank order. No talking during the line-up up. 6. Always raise your arm if you wish to ask a Sensei a question and bow before and after communication/s. 7. During practise sessions (with a partner or free Kata practise) ask the next rank up from yourself, if you require access to knowledge or information; try to refrain from going straight to the highest grade in the Dojo to ask simple questions. 8. Never intentionally attempt to hurt anyone in training. Deliberate endangerment will result in instant expulsion. The emphasis is always on control. 9. Good etiquette & discipline is important at all times both in & outside of the Dojo. 10. Read, understand and obey the Rules of the Dojo. Bowing on/off Procedure On the command of Seiretsu ; Line up quickly and quietly in rank order in the Kiotsuke (attention) position. No talking at any time during the line-up up. The traditional method of lining up in the Dojo is quite simple. On the command of Seiretsu students must line-up quickly and quietly in the proper grade/rank order (highest ranks starting from the front-right working

2 down to the lowest ranks on the rear-left) in equal rank & file in the Kiritsu (informal attention) position (Musubi-dachi), as per diagram. You must not pass in front of higher graded ranks to do so, filter in from the rear and side of your own line. All Sensei stand facing the rank & file of students. In the event that there is more than one Sensei, the highest graded Sensei would usually be positioned at the left of the lower ranked Sensei (this would then be in correct rank position during the 'Shomen-ni-rei', where the highest ranks must be on the right in the line-up). Pictured: Classical Bowing-on/off procedures (with sword ) demonstrated by Jake Joyce of the Plymouth Schools of Karate, Devon. O-Rei in Seiza (the correct method of the kneeling-bow). Shômen ni Rei Sensei ni Rei Otagai ni Rei Arigatô gôzaimasu Onegai shimasu Bowing on/off Terminology Bow to the front (Kamiza). Bow to the instructor. Bow to all assembled. Thank you. Pleasure/You are welcome. Bowing-on on Procedure Sensei: 'Seiretsu' (line up in correct ranks and files). Sensei signals the Sempai to acknowledge the start of the bowing-on procedure. Sempai: 'Seiza' (all kneel). Sensei: 'Dojo kun' (Dojo maxims). Deshi: Dojo Kun (acknowledgement of command.). Sensei: 'Reisetsu O Mamori' (stick to the rules of the Dojo). Deshi: 'Reisetsu O Mamori'. Sensei: 'Shingi O Omanji' (be loyal to your Instructor). Deshi: 'Shingi O Omanji.' Sensei: 'Jojitsu Ni Oberesu' (students & Instructors are not all one, never take advantage of his friendship). Deshi: 'Jojitsu Ni Oberesu.' Sensei: 'Shinkenmi Ni Tesseyo' (be serious in your efforts). Deshi: 'Shinkenmi Ni Tesseyo'. Sensei: 'Mokuso' (quiet thought) - Students and Instructors shut their eyes for a moment of meditation to clear the mind of outside distractions etc., concentrating on the task ahead of serious Karate training and the concepts of the Dojo-kun. Sensei: 'Mokuso Yamae' (stop meditating) all students and instructors open their eyes and look to the front. The Sensei will turn to face the Shomen (front), towards the Kamiza (shrine). Sempai: Shomen Ni Rei (bow to the front) all bow. The Sensei turns to face the class. Sempai: 'Sensei Ni Rei' (bow to the Instructor) all bow. Sempai: 'Otaga Ni Rei' (bow to each other) Deshi bow. Sempai: 'Kiritsu' (come to attention) - all must stand at once, with the Sensei, to the attention stance Musubi Dachi) all bow together with the Sensei. 2

3 Seiza in Wadoryu Karate. Ojigi (bowing) By now, most people are familiar with the idea of people bowing to each other in Japan, and though it has been greatly exaggerated in movies and television, it is the method used when Japanese great each other. When bowing from a standing position, one stands at attention, hands to the side. A bow may consist of a nod of the head, or a 90-degree bend. The amount bowed depends upon how much respect the person bowing wishes to convey. When bowing from a sitting position, usually on a tatami mat, one sits with legs under the body (heal touching buttocks), and hands placed out on the floor. It is not common in Japan to see people touch each other when they greet, and the shaking of hands is not customary (some may even find it offensive and an infringement of personal-space). Shaking of hands usually occurs between Japanese and foreigners, or at special events such as meeting a politician or celebrity. Ojigi (bowing) is an essential part of Japanese daily life. People bow when saying hello, thanking someone, apologizing, saying good-bye and introducing themselves. Although shaking hands (akushu) has become accepted as a form of greeting, many Japanese still are not used to it. The deeper you bow, the more respect you are showing. There is an old haiku poem; "Minoru hodo atama no tareru inaho kana." It means, "Young rice stalks stand upright, the mature grains bow low, implying that one grows to understand the meaning of humility (the heavier the rice, the lower the bow). When somebody's position is higher than the other, the person in the lower position bows his or her head a little lower than the person in the higher position. Generally speaking, older women bow very politely. There are many who bow deeply while shaking hands at the same time, and there are others who bow many, many times. However, greetings between friends are fairly informal. They would casually raise their hands or lightly lower their head (eshaku). Men bow with their hands held at their sides, palms facing inward. Women bow with their hands crossed in front of them. If they are sitting in a chair, they stand up to bow. If they are sitting on Zabuton (a cushion for tatami mat), they move from it to bow and put both hands lightly on the tatami in front of their body when bowing. In Japan bowing is also a common way of saying thank you, please, in offering something, when one apologises or even requests something, etc. But if the greeting takes place inside on a tatami floor, the Japanese would get down on their knees to bow to each other and show correct respect upon entering. These are some of the reasons why Japanese bow in Japanese society. The Japanese will bow when they greet people, as their sign of respect and in regard to each other. As a Japanese child reaches past school age, he or she must know that there are various types of bowing or showing respect. A small bow or nod may be used only in an informal or casual manner, between friends and even family members. All correct bowing must be done from the hip and not simply from the neck. However, many Japanese understand that most foreigners do not know how to bow correctly, so may sometimes accept an informal-bow from a foreigner to a formal-bow when first meeting (but remember that many Japanese may still take offence to a simple nod from the neck). The lower bow is what is referred to as the usual-bow, which is when one acknowledges someone to be of higher position or social status and this indicates respect (the angle of this bow can be anything between 30 and 45 degrees, depending on the circumstances). 3

4 If you live in Japan for a long time, you will begin bowing automatically as you say certain expressions. You might find yourself bowing as you talk on the phone like many Japanese do! Bowing in Martial arts. Is Rei (the bow) in Japanese martial-arts religious? The answer to that is simply a difference between 'respect' and 'worship'. In Karate there is NO worship, just mutual respect, so there would be NO conflict with any religious ideals or beliefs. In Japanese martial-arts we see the bow used in a similar way as for Japanese business and social interactions rather than religious ones. In this respect, it is associated more to a Western handshake rather than to any unconnected Asian religion. However, when we enter the Dojo we bow as a sign of respect for the dojo training environment and for the occupants (many students may also bow in return if you re seen to enter). We bow to our higher graded instructors, again, as a sign of mutual respect. Bowing is an integral part of any traditional Japanese martial-arts. Bows are used to begin and end practice, sparring bouts and competitions, and when entering and leaving the Dojo, or training-room. Some non-japanese martial-arts bows are different in terms of the position of the arms and hands, etc. For example, a Japanese karate bow is performed with the arms at the sides, while other martial-arts bows, such as in Tai-boxing and some Chinese martial-arts, are often performed with the hands together and hands and arms in front. Japanese Martial-Arts. Being involved in a Japanese martial-art the bow is of equal importance within the Dojo, and must be understood and performed by all practitioners in the correct way. All Japanese martial-arts use the Rei within the Dojo environment, there are no exceptions. A student must always bow to the Sensei when he is being addressed and when he has finished being addressed. Before and at the end of each fighting routine or other partner-work encounter there must be a tachi-rei between performers at the relevant and appropriate times, even when there are no commands to do so. On the command of rei and or tachi-rei all students must perform the standing-bow instantly. Tach-rei. The standing-bow, although the mostly used aspect of the Dojo, is also sometimes the most abused aspect of the Dojo. The correct bow should be done from the hip and angled at no less than 30 degrees. We DO NOT simply nod when making a tachi-rei within the Dojo. When to perform a standing-bow: As a sign of respect to the occupants and Dojo, the Keirei should be done on every entry and exit made, from the Dojo doorway. During various intervals, when performing Keirei within partner routines, each performer must direct his view towards those who are performing the rei to you. Keep your view forward during the tachi-rei, this way your gaze is upon your partner and/or opponent. The Keirei MUST be performed when addressing a Sensei or a higher grade. The Sai-keirei must be performed when receiving a new belt & certificate of promotion from an Examiner. Once the new Obi and Shomeisho have been received the student must take one pace back, to make Keirei, before returning to the ranks. Bowing in the Dojo. All participants are expected to bow within a British Wadokai Karate Dojo. 4

5 O-Rei. The formal kneeling-bow ceremony is performed at the start and at the end of the training session. This bow is for the respect of the Sensei as well as mutual respect towards the students within the Dojo. If a student is late he/she MUST perform the O-Rei before asking the Sensei permission to join the training session. The kneeling bow must be done with the attention or peripheral view forward, in readiness for an attack - Do not look directly at the floor. The kneeling-bow, at the start and the end of the training session, symbolises the following: The 1 st Za-rei (kneeling-bow) is to the Shomen-ni ni-rei; a bow to those who have come before us (there is usually a picture of our past teachers displayed at the front). We bow towards the front of the Dojo in respect to our past teachers and their guidance over the years. The 2 nd Za-rei is Sensei-ni ni-rei; teacher and students bowing to each other and respecting each other for their presence. We are demonstrating mutual respect for each other. The 3 rd Za-rei is Otaga-ni ni-rei; students symbolically bowing to each other. If you are physically incapacitated or temporarily injured, the standing bow may replace the formal O-Rei at the start and the end of the training session. However, the student MUST move well away, to the rear of the class, to perform the tachi-rei and then re-join the class, into the ranks, when O-Rei has been completed. This action must be done formally with quick movement and not performed sloppily or disrespectfully. Za-rei. The kneeling or cushion-bow (za[butan]-rei), as it is representative of being conducted inside a building, would also require Za-rei, at specific points, during Idori-no-kata performance. This bow would be considered for a tatami (mat) or zabuton (cushion). In the Dojo it is both good etiquette and respectful to bow where and when necessary. Students who refuse to bow correctly within the Dojo environment may be asked to leave, as they may be considered demonstrating disrespect within the Dojo environment and to those around them. Is your 'intention' for bowing correct for the Dojo? If we all wish to learn correct traditional Wadoryu Karate we must all learn the mutual traditional respectful values within our art. All traditional oriental martial-arts have either a bow, or some form of mutual salutation, related to the source of their art; traditional Wadoryu Karate is no exception and there will be no compromise. Not bowing, or not bowing correctly, is a sign of disrespect to all those within the Dojo environment. Make each bow correct and meaningful, and also reflect correct mutual respect at all times with the Rei. RULES OF THE DOJO 1. Students must always arrive BEFORE the class starts; it is disrespectful to turn up late to the Dojo. If you are unavoidably late for the bow-on : a. Bow to enter the Dojo. b. Kneel at the Dojo entrance and recite the Dojo-kun in your mind. c. Perform the bow-on sequence. d. Stand, then bow towards the Sensei (Tachi-rei). e. Wait for the Sensei to acknowledge your presence BEFORE joining the class. 2. Tachi-rei (standing bow). Always bow upon: a. Entering and leaving the Dojo. b. Before and after addressing your Sensei, or, if your Sensei is addressing you. c. Before and after performing various techniques with each other. 3. If the Sensei is not present, the Sempai (most Senior) will start the class. All students must follow the Sempai as though he were the Sensei. 4. During the session, students must work with an attitude of seriousness and complete concentration. Laughing and talking cannot be permitted. Silence and seriousness during the session are the two rules that must be followed if a high level of training is to be sustained. 5. Unless training has commenced, all students must bow to Yūdansha upon their arrival to the Dojo. 6. Rapid movement is an essential part of the training, even as it pertains to lining up on command. This habit of moving quickly, without wasted motion and effort, will also help keep the class working smoothly as well as making the student instinctively responsive. 7. When not training, i.e. during breaks etc. Students must sit crossed-legged against the wall in the Shimoza (lower-house) area of the Dojo, or in the designated resting area/s away from the Dojo training area. 8. You must always wear a clean & pressed white Gi. Badges must be worn on the left-side of your Gi (arm/chest). Other badges, as country representation badges etc., may be worn on the right sleeve (these are only issued & supplied by your Sensei). 5

6 9. Only females, and students with special medical conditions, may be permitted to wear a T-shirt (white) under their Gi top. 10. No student should leave the Dojo (or ranks) during the session; unless he has prior permission from a Sensei or Sempai to do so (this is for reasons of good etiquette as well as Health & Safety). 11. On the command of Seiretsu students must line-up quickly and quietly in the proper grade/rank order in the Kiritsu (informal attention) position (Musubi-dachi). You must not pass in front of higher graded ranks to do this, but move in line behind your own, or lower graded, ranks. 12. If a student must stop work, for any reason, then he must FIRST obtain permission from his Sensei. DO NOT JUST WALK AWAY FROM TRAINING - If you need d a water-break or need to use the toilet - ask the Sensei FIRST and always wait for permission to re-join the session! 13. All students must reply Hai-Sensei after a command has been given. During training, if you are approached by a Sensei for any reason, i.e. adjusting your technique etc., you must acknowledge the Sensei with Hai-Sensei accompanied with a proper bow. 14. Each student must report when temporarily discontinuing lessons, this is good etiquette. 15. Unless you are the/a Sensei, or have been asked: During line-up, whilst training in Fundamental and Renraku techniques, do not allow yourself to be distracted by other students in the ranks and start adjusting or teaching them. Concentrate on YOUR OWN technique and allow the other students to learn at their own pace and by the Sensei. 16. Finger and toenails are to be kept short and clean. 17. No drinking, eating, chewing gum, or smoking in the Dojo. 18. No jewellery to be worn in the Dojo. Any jewellery, i.e. a bracelet/ring etc., that is difficult or impossible to remove MUST be safely covered. 19. A student who has undergone surgery, or who suffers from any kind of medical condition or injury, will not be permitted back into regular training until a signed letter from the Doctor has been received by the Instructor. Your Sensei, as well as your working partner/s, must also be made aware of any ongoing condition. 20. If at any time during training the student requires to adjust his Obi or Gi, he must go down on one knee to do the adjustment. On serious adjustments the student may require to ask the Sensei in order to leave the ranks to go to the side of the Dojo, again, drop onto one knee for the adjustment/s. 21. Seniority system: All students must be aware that a higher ranked member to you is your senior, and must be obeyed as such while in the Dojo. Sempai (Brown-Belts and lower graded Black-Belts) are the Dojo Police-force and are responsible for the discipline in the Dojo. Young as well as older Sempai MUST show a good example. Examples are always followed. No student should go directly to the Sensei without first attempting to gain the necessary knowledge from the next grade up. Each student, however, should make the necessary endeavours to learn the answers from continued practise and observations. The Sensei should be consulted ONLY as a final option. 22. All Black-Belts must be referred to by title NOT by name (Senpai, Sensei, etc.) while they are in their Gi, by all Kyu & Dan Grades, and all students must bow and respect them as they would ANY senior grade. 23. The Sensei of a Dojo must ALWAYS be referred to as Sensei by students as well as well as Yudansha within the Dojo. All Black belts must refer to all higher graded Yudansha with the proper title, etiquette and respect AT ALL TIMES. 24. A Sensei is always a Sensei, not just while he wears a Gi. He must be respected inside as well as outside the Dojo. If he is your friend, do not take advantage of his friendship. 25. Respect higher grades, and refer to them with proper title, and have compassion and empathy for your peers and lower graded students. 26. Respect and revere your parents and elders, respect other people. Respect property and all life. Also, respect yourself. 27. The motto of the British Wadokai Dojo. Practise hard in order to master the techniques of true Wadoryu Karate-do. 28. Never use Karate outside the Dojo, unless for self-defence. Understand the correct concepts, principles and implications of Sente & Karate-ni-Sentenashi. NB: Parents & Visitors: Children must be dropped off and collected from inside the Dojo premises. Mobile telephones, and all other personal electronic equipment, must be switched off. No photographic or personal electronic equipment to be allowed inside the Dojo at any time. Parents/Carers may stay and watch the training session. However, you y may be asked to leave if you involve yourself, influence your child (or any other student), or interrupt, with any aspects of the training programme. Thank you for your support. DOJO-KUN REISETSU-O-MAMORI: Stick to the rules of the Dojo. SHINGI-O-OMANJI: Be loyal to your Instructor. JOJITSU-NI-OBERESU: Students and Instructors are not all one, never take advantage of your Sensei s friendship. SHINKENMI-NI-TESSEYO: Be serious in your efforts. BAN Instruction and commands are given in Ban - 'Number/s'. These types, and methods of counting with numbers, include: 6

7 Finger Counting: 1 10; Ichi, Ni, San, Shi (Yon), Go, Roku, Shichi (Nana), Hachi, Kyu (Ku), Ju ; Ju-Ichi, Ju-Ni, Ju-San, Ju-Shi, Ju-Go, Ju-Roku, Ju-Shichi, Ju-Hachi, Ju-Kyu, Ni-Ju ; Ni-Ju-Ichi, Ni-Ju-Ni, Ni-Ju-San, Ni-Ju-Shi, Ni-Ju-Go, Ni-Ju-Roku, Ni-Ju-Shichi, Ni-Ju-Hachi, Ni-Ju-Kyu, San- Ju ; San-Ju-Ichi, San-Ju-Ni, San-Ju-San, San-Ju-Go, San-Ju-Roku, San-Ju-Shichi, San-Ju-Hachi, San-Ju-Kyu, Yon-Ju ; Yon-Ju-Ichi, Yon-Ju-Ni, Yon-Ju-San, Yon-Ju-Shi, Yon-Ju-Go, Yon-Ju-Roku, Yon-Ju-Shichi, Yon-Ju-Hachi, Yon-Ju-Kyu, Go-Ju. 1 st 10 th : Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme, Gohonme, Ropponme, Nanahonme, Napponme, Kyuhonme, Jupponme. Level: Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yodan (Yondan), Godan, Rokudan, Shichidan, Hachidan, Kyudan, Judan. Should Children Train In Wadoryu Karate? The study of karate has become increasingly popular. Karate training was traditionally an adult endeavour, however, there has been an explosion in this country of karate activities for children. It is not unusual to see young children enrolled in karate classes. Parents have also become interested in karate as a mechanism to enhance the overall development of their children. Some karate schools extol the benefits of karate training for children as a cure for many problems and have created complete marketing strategies around such concepts. While there are, indeed, numerous advantages to be gained from the study of karate, parents of children (especially young children) must be cognisant of some of the practical aspects associated with such studies. Outlined here are some of the issues interested parents should examine when contemplating enrolling, or supporting, their children in karate training. AGE? The earliest age for starting karate training is highly dependent on the child. A good rule of thumb is to start no earlier than 8 years of age. Karate training must be fun, but it is not playtime. It requires a certain amount of mental self-discipline and concentration. The ability to focus on tasks must be maintained during the lesson or the child will become bored and perhaps disruptive. Some 7-8 year olds can maintain some degree of attention. However, it is very individual. PROGRESS. The younger the child, the slower the initial progress will be. The physical skills needed for controlled movements are not usually available to very young children (their motor systems are not developed enough). Be content with laying a good foundation that they will build upon later. For the time being, stress fun, self-discipline and understanding. Remember, a child will only progress at his own speed, not yours. ENTHUSIASM. Children will always be extremely enthusiastic when starting karate training. After a while, when training starts to become more repetitive and difficult, they may lose interest and wish to stop practising. This is normal and to be anticipated. The younger the child, the more likely it is that this will happen at some time. The trick is to remain supportive as a parent and not to push them into training. Give them a good nudge when you feel they are lagging excessively. Lead them, but do not force them. Make sure that whatever training they experience is of high quality. The best way to lead your children is for you (the parent) to study karate with them. This allows for shared experiences, reinforces the study discipline at home, and lets them show off to (and playfully compete with) you. Perseverance, if not innately part of the child's personality, can be taught with you as a role model. Karate training will also have numerous benefits for you personally. Parents who simply sit down and watch the class can very often divert the attention of the child, especially if the parent is counterproductive in the class by involving themselves or assisting their child during class - Leave the instruction to the Sensei, as he alone knows how much or how little to place upon the child s karate development. Also, the Sensei is INSURED to teach, you re not; which could lead to an insurance liability claim if something went wrong in class as a result of your added tuition, or if the child (or another) got injured through your distractions! DISCIPLINE. Discipline is touted as one of the great benefits of karate training. That claim is valid for older children. Do not expect too much from the young ones. Kids will be kids and if you expect them to become little soldiers - forget it! The biggest concern you might face, in the early days, is preventing them from showing off and using their new skills at play or at school. This must be absolutely forbidden. Home training is always essential, but not as a tool for showing off. INJURIES. Some injuries are inevitable, it s the nature of the beast - It s a Combat Martial-art. The vast majority, however, are minor, such as bumps & bruises, sprains, strains, and scrapes. Be supportive and do not over-react. Have ice packs available in your home freezer to ice down minor injuries. Obtain the kind of ice pack that can be used directly on the skin. Prompt icing will do wonders. Wadoryu Karate training is great for everyone, especially for families who train together. The Family that Kicks together, sticks together! British Wadokai Kyu Gradings PLUS -What do I need to know and bring? Your grading, especially the first grading, is probably one of your biggest steps in your Martial-arts career. For many, it s probably the first one they remember the most. To make life a little easier for you we have compiled some information below that may help on your first step on the grade ladder. Promotion. Belts are achieved through dedicated practise and training. Once a student understands all that he requires for 7

8 his next grade, and the time-served for each level has been completed, then the student may be put forward for his grading to the next belt level. For your 1 st grading you will be allowed a certain amount of flexibility with your test. For example: With the reciting of the Dojo-kun, you will not be expected to be word perfect in the pronunciation and reciting. Your belt knot may not be retied 100%, or you may need a little assistance during your performance. Technically you may experience some nerves and make a few errors. This is all quite normal. Your examiners are there to help you, and will give some guidance and pointers if things are getting a bit difficult. To progress in Wado Karate. Once a Green-belt has been achieved a student should be training and practising, under instruction at a Dojo, at least twice a week (at least three times a week for Brown and 1 st to 3 rd Dan Black-belts). All training should be along with the usual continual home-training. Knowledge is ongoing and intense the further the student progresses up the grade ladder. All previous grade aspects and knowledge of training should also be retained in order to pass this knowledge down to the lower graded students. Only students, who show serious dedicated practise, and a good working knowledge of their next level, will be considered for promotion. On the day you will need to bring: 1. Licence, Training Fee plus Grading & Registration Fee of 15 (if you fail, your next grading attempt will be free, if under the same Examiner). The grading fee also includes registration, belt & certificate. 2. Your official BWK Club and Course Attendance Record Card. 3. Clean white Karate-gi gi. T-shirts are not permitted to be worn under the Gi. However, females, and students with special medical conditions, may be permitted to wear a T-shirt (white) under their Gi top. 4. Association Badge to be worn on the left breast (or left arm if wearing club badge on breast). No 'unofficial' badges will be permitted. Badges may be alternated from diagram (i.e. BWK on arm and Club on left breast, etc.). 5. Grade syllabus book (good for that last minute revision, etc.). 6. Bogu (fighting protection). Required for gradings of 6 th Kyu & above. Wearing your belt (Obi). The correct and traditional WADO method of tying your Obi, in the O Hon-Musubi method. 1. Fold your Obi in half and place the centre fold to the middle of your tummy. 2. Wrap it around your back crossing it over to give your lower back extra support. Bring the two ends back around to the front. 3. Cross them over (right over left and under) and tuck the outside length under all the others so you are left with one at the top and one at the bottom. Take the one at the top, in your left hand, (left over right and through) around the one at the bottom, in your right hand, and pull tight to the sides. 8

9 DETAIL/DIAGRAM: How to tie a belt in the traditional Wadoryu O Hon O Hon-Musubi method. 1) Find the middle of the belt and place against your waist and overlap/cross around the back. 2) Bring the ends to the front and cross the ends right over left. 3) Tuck the right end under BOTH strands (between the Gi and Belt) and pull tight. 4, 5) Complete the knot by tying left over right and through. 6) Pull ends tightly sideways (never up and down) and allow the ends to hang symmetrically. About British Wadokai Wadoryu Karate was introduced into the UK by Suzuki Tatsuo (8 th Dan) Hanshi in the early 1960 s, under the direct guidance of the Founder of Wadoryu, Ohtsuka Hironori (10 th Dan) Meijin. Suzuki Sensei was Ohtsuka Meijin s most senior Instructor and he was given the responsibility of setting up Wado under the Japanese Karate Federation throughout the whole of Europe; the forerunner to the Federation of European Wadokai (FEW). The organisation that Suzuki Hanshi founded in the UK was first known as the United Kingdom Karate-do Federation (UKKF), later to be known as the United Kingdom Karate-do Wadokai (UKKW) in the mid-70 s. This first Wado was still guided and maintained by Ohtsuka Meijin s own authentic Wado-ryu karate. British Wadokai is the result of this direct lineage from Ohtsuka through Suzuki, and has never been influenced by any other Wado. Gary Swift Kyoshi started training in 1966 and from 1973 trained under Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki Hanshi. In 1976 Sensei Swift also trained and graded under Ohtsuka Meijin, the Founder of Wadoryu Karate. From this encounter all the techniques learnt from the Grand Master first hand have never been changed or altered. The concept of Nagashizuki and many of the Kihon-gumite have also been ingrained into the British Wadokai students from that historic visit. In 1982 Ohtsuka Meijin passed away, and left behind a great legacy for us all to follow. Ironically, following his passing, there was split after split within the Wado fraternity and Wado took on many different directions and guises. During that time Sensei Swift continued training with the UKKW and maintained the authentic & original Wadoryu karate of Hironori Ohtsuka through Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki Hanshi. British Wadokai still train with the original Sanbon-gumite, which are very much misunderstood today, and in many Wado schools they have even been removed completely, which is such a shame as they can reflect so much of the Ju-Jutsu aspects and principles within them (continual contact, flowing and fluid distancing, interception, entering, etc.). The Ohyo-gumite, which encourages aspects of free-fighting; another very important aspect of all Wado. Again, these are often misunderstood and have been taken out by many Wado Schools. British Wadokai is what it is, British Wadokai ; this is from where the Wado of today has evolved. About Gary E Swift Kyoshi I have been very privileged to have learnt much from many Japanese Wado Instructors throughout my time, and I have added to the British Wadokai training system many additional aspects, such as Muto-dori (sword defences) and Tanto-dori (knife defences), plus the traditional Wadoryu Idori-no-kata (kneeling defences), etc. 9

10 Gary E Swift 8th Dan Kyoshi. The Chief Instructor of the British Wadokai Karate-do Federation. Gary Swift was born in 7 Leigham Terrace, Plymouth, Devon, in He started his martial-arts training in 1966 at the age of 10 at his junior school at Laira Green, Plymouth, Devon. His first taste of martial-arts was learning the popular systems, at that time, of Ju-jutsu and Judo. After a move to Prince Rock Senior School, Plymouth, Devon, he was also introduced to the skills of Thai-boxing (known then as simply Kickboxing) by the PT Teacher at the school, Mr P Twigg. NB: Kickboxing nowadays simply refers to the generic kick-boxing that was introduced into the UK by the USA. Upon his arrival to the South of England in 1972 at the age of 16, from Liskeard, Cornwall, he started Wado-ryu Karate in Guildford and Bisley (Surrey), under his most influential Instructor Mick Rapley (then 1 st Dan), in 1973 (affiliated to the United Kingdom Karate Federation (later to be known as the United Kingdom Karate-do Wadokai)). Regular instructors at this time included Suzuki Tatsuo Hanshi, Maeda Tadayuki Sensei, Shiomitsu Hanshi and Kobayashi Katsumi Sensei. From this day onwards, alongside his Wado, he studied numerous other forms of Karate, as well as Shorinjikempo, Muay-Thai, Malaysian Taekwondo (Thoi-kuen-do), Korean HoSin-sul Hapkido, various weapons systems, and a variety of other Japanese, Korean, and Chinese martial-arts. Today he is holder of numerous titles and ranks in martial-arts including 8th Dan in Wado-ryu Karate, 2nd Dan in Korean HoSin-sul Hapkido, and 1st Dan in Malaysian Taekwondo. He has over 35 years teaching experience and over 45 years (including international) training experience. He is the Founder-President of the International Wado Federation (est. 1982), and Chief Instructor to British Wadokai (est. 1976). Instructors from other styles have also included the famous: Tomiyama Keiji 8th Dan Shihan (Shito-ryu), Hoi Hean Thow 8th Dan (Thoi-kuen-do, Tong-long, Bo-jutsu, Escrima), Dr. Julian S Lim 8th Dan (Hapkido, HoSin-sul). Tomiyama Keiji 7th Dan Shihan (Shito-ryu) - Takamizawa Toru 7 th Dan Kyoshi Maeda Sensei 8 th Dan JKF-Wadokai; Sensei Kida 7th Dan, Sensei Yanagawa 8th Dan, Sensei Takayanagi 6th Dan, Gary Swift 8th Dan

11 Gary Swift Performing Maegeri Chudan (Circa 1979) VISITORS AND STUDENTS JOINING FROM OTHER CLUBS/GROUPS When joining a different dojo just remember: You are a new student to a new club, and you must follow the way of your new Sensei, do not compare them to your previous Sensei or style. JUNIOR STUDENTS Although children are allowed to attend many of the British Wadokai training sessions, they must understand that they will be training with (and will be expected to behave like) adults at all times. PARENTS & VISITORS TO THE DOJO Parents, visitors and guests are always welcome to visit the Dojo and watch, if there are facilities to do so. However, small children, babies, and other noises, such as talking, etc., can be both distracting and off-putting to both instructors and students alike. Please keep all children/babies under control (do not allow them to wander around the Dojo) and please keep talking and other noises to an absolute minimum; or you may be politely asked to leave the Dojo and wait in the rest-area/reception. Parents and Guardians are also reminded that the Instructor of the Dojo is the Sensei; please refrain from influencing students (including your own child) within the Dojo: you are not qualified or insured to do so. CHILD PROTECTION AND HEALTH & SAFETY All junior students must arrive at the Dojo ready to train (wearing their Gi). If a child is unable to change prior to arriving then the parent is asked to assist their own child within the changing room/facilities. All parents are asked to bring their child into the Dojo and collect from the Dojo - Please do not simply drop them off or collect them from the car-park, etc. All juniors must remain in the Dojo until collected. Mobile phones must be switched off. No photographic equipment to be allowed in the Dojo (unless previously permitted)....thank you for your support. 11