2006 Okinawa Karate / Kobudo

Fall Gassuku

The 2006 Okinawa Karate Kobudo Fall Camp was held in Williamsburg on November 10, 11, and 12. Around 60 karateka camp to this year's camp where classes were held on many different subjects in Karate, Kobudo and Iaido/Kenjutsu.

The instructors this year were Kyoshi Bob Herten, 7th dan Shorinkan /8th dan Shidokan, Sensei Robert Rivers, 5th dan Shito-Ryu/3rd Dan Mugai-Ryu Kenjutsu and Sensei John Spence, 5th Dan Shorin-Ryu Butokukan.

Left to Right-Sensei Tony Urena, Kyoshi Bob Herten, Sensei John Spence
Sensei Spence leading Junbi Undo.
Shorin-Ryu Kata
There was a reception at Sensei Spence's house afterwards for all yudansha and visiting instructors.

Camp Sessions

Kyoshi Bob Herten

1) Okinawa Shorin-Ryu kata bunkai

2) Okinawa kata Oyo Bunkai two and multiple person drills

3) White Crane Kata (black belts only) HakuCho, Paipuren

Sensei John Spence     

1)Okinawa Kigu undo/hojo undo-chiishi/ nigiri game/ makiwara/ ishi sashi

2) Okinawa Tuite/ Tegumi/ Grappling bunkai/applications

3) Okinawa Kobudo- kata and bunkai

4) Okinawa Iri-Kumi- Okinawa-style Full Contact fighting

Sensei Robert Rivers

a.      Mugai Ryu Kenjutsu waza and kata

b.     Iaido waza and kata

c.      Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu Karate

Sensei Felix Vlad

Jiyu Kumite
Saturday began with sessions on Yakusoku Kumite, Hojo Undo and Kenjutsu/Iaido
Rivers Sensei
Stafford Kenkyukai
Hojo Undo Class
Sensei Spence and Sensei Urena going over shin conditioning
Kenjutsu Class
Kyoshi Herten's Bunkai session
Yakusoku session
Sensei Vlad's energetic jiyu kumite class
Saturday evening's buffett dinner and banquet was a great success. Everyone spent the night getting to know each other and then took over the Back 9 Bar and Grill later!
Sensei Spence presenting Kyoshi Herten and Rivers Sensei with awards.
Many thanks to all of our camp volunteers and instructors! The 2007 Fall Gasshuku is already scheduled for November 9, 10 and 11 and we are looking forward to adding new guest instructors as well as new participants.

The goal of the camp was met-to bring together traditionally-minded budoka to train together without politics or egos. Thank you to all who participated and we will see you next year!