Jundokan Gasshuku - October 5 - 8, 2007

Goju Karate Center was honored to host this special training event with Kancho Miyazato, Gima Tetsu Sensei (8th dan), and Ganaha Hiroshi Sensei (7th dan) coming from the world Jundokan headquarters in Okinawa, Japan. We were also honored to have Chuck Merriman Hanshi (9th dan) as a special guest. Friday and Monday training was held for black belts only at the dojo in Carlsbad. While on Saturday and Sunday training was held for all belts at Calavera Hills Community Gymnasium. Guests from all over the United States, including Alaska, Connecticut, Washington State, New York, New Jersey, Iowa, Washington D.C., Arizona, and Canada were in attendance. The training was demanding with instruction of the very highest calibre. All attendees returned home energized if somewhat tired. We are looking forward to the next major Jundokan event to be held in Okinawa October 2008.

Photographs from the Gasshuku (photographs by Bill Derrickson)

Gima Sensei, Kancho Miyazato, Ganaha Sensei

Seminar attendees with instructors

Gima Sensei & Ganaha Sensei working with GKC students Alec & Anne

Brian Sensei from Iowa, Chris from Washington D.C., Chuck Sensei from New York

GKC student working Kata & Kakie, Cindy, Shonna, Anne, Danee

Ganaha Sensei looking on; Eli & Sensei Michelle kakie

Gima Sensei explains some close-in waza

Gima Sensei & Ganaha Sensei demonstrating at the dojo; It's Jori's turn!

Sensei Ken from Canada working with Grant from Arizona

Gima Sensei showing advanced application with Mike from Alaska (Mike Hanawa translating)

Kancho taking his time to explain the finer points

Kancho working with students of all levels (Ronnie and Andrew right)

Sensei Tim gets to work with Kancho; Sensei Mark from New Jersey

Merriman Sensei helping out students; young Mike from NY with Merriman Sensei & Enfield Sensei

Sensei Mike & Sensei Lil; Gima Sensei with Milo and Ronnie

Students from New Jersey taking a well earned break

Sandy from New Jersey; Sensei Jesse from GKC Washington

Kancho & Sensei's at the beginning of the session

Goju Karate Center students with seminar instructors

Hanshi Chuck Merriman Seminar - March 4, 2007

We were honored to host Chuck Merriman Sensei and Lil Merriman Sensei at the dojo March 4, 2007. Merriman Sensei is a 9th degree black belt, a highly regarded master of the martial arts in the United States and around the world, and at 74 years of age is a shining example to us all that martial arts is something we can practice our whole lives. In addition to stressing the importance of karate's fundamentals and leading us through a demanding classs, Sensei also enlightened and inspired us with gems of wisdom gained through a lifetime of martial arts training. Below are some pictures from the class.

Sensei instructing kyu grades; Sensei demonstrating with Jerry

Sensei explains the finer points; Black Belts prepare to perform straight-line kata for Sensei

Students enjoyed listening to Sensei's explanations and anecdotes; Sensei demonstrates with Sensei Michelle

Sensei Merriman & Sensei Lil Merrimen center

Sensei runs the class through kihon (basics); Sensei Lil and Sensei Michelle (karate hand-shake)

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