News

Peter-san's Farewell and 1000 Punches & 1000 Kicks
31st July 2010
by Ken Ichii

Saturday 31st July, 2010 has become another memorable day for the Tohyama Dojo.
It was the end-of-season-event, the 1000 Punches & 1000 Kicks which all dojo members had been waiting(?) for. It was good to see most of the dojo members had turned up to take on this one last challenge before heading into the summer holidays.
Especially the children were all excited. Some a bit worried about whether they can make it to the end, or not, and there are always the aggressive ones who just couldn`t wait until the big challenge.
We were given a couple of minutes to stretch out and relax our bodies.
'Seiretsu (Line Up)!' and the atmosphere became one. You could see it in everyone's eyes all focused to Tohyama Sensei in front of us, ready to put everything in to the 1000 punches and 1000 kicks.
Tohyama Sensei explained that it would definitely be a big challenge for all of us to keep up and maintain the proper punches and kicks to the end, but would be a waste of time if anyone took part by just swinging their legs and arms, but not making the proper punches and kicks.
We started off with the 1000 punches. Even though this was not my first time, there is always a new challenge waiting to be conquered. In my case, it was definitely how many proper punches and kicks I can make to the end, but also whether I can see any progress in my punches and kicks in an extreme situation at the end of this year's 1000 punches and 1000 kicks.
Tohyama Sensei has reminded us many times in the Dojo that any training no matter how fundamental they may be, should all lead to developing proper skills and your ability to respond in any situation.
A punch that is not good enough to strike through is not a punch. Though I was giving as much kiai during the counting, I also tried to keep a calm state of mind just focusing on each punch.
Easily said than done! Of course I had struggled to keep my shoulders balanced in the same height while rotating my torso to strike through my punches. Once my mind started to drift to balancing the shoulders then I would realize my sanchin dachi (stance, foot position) began to break up......
By the time we had gone in to 1000 kicks, I was determined to reconsider my way of strengthening my stamina and flexibility.
Everyone was exhausted to their minds when we had finished the 1000 kicks. But nothing could beat the feeling of pure exhilaration after this challenge.
The session ended with Tohyama Sensei's comments of the 1000 punches and 1000 kicks, with a question asking each one of us, how far had we been able to achieve in this year's challenge. Are we confident that all punches and kicks were done properly? How many punches and kicks were there strong enough to put your opponents down? This was a homework for all of us until the next time. There will always be a time where we will be challenged.
Without training to place yourself in extreme situations, you would not be able to take advantage of a situation where it would suddenly turn up with no notice at all.
It would be up to ourselves to prepare, so that we may give everything we have when it is required.
After the session we took photographs of all the members of the dojo present, including Peter san who was leaving the UK the following day.
Tohyama Sensei had arranged some food and drinks to open a farewell party with a homelike atmosphere and at the right place, no other than our Dojo.
All adult class members helped to prepare the party and in no time, the Dojo where we had just finished the 1000 punches and 1000 kicks had become the venue for a cozy party.
Unlike parties in a public place, it was just the dojo members around and that had made the right atmosphere to send off Peter-san, who had made a great contribution to the dojo supporting other members.
Peter-san inspired many others by demonstrating that hard training will always be responded by bringing yourself to a higher level. Not only the adults sessions, but also with the kids sessions, he has shown other parents how they can support their children who sometimes find it hard to getting used to 'Discipline'.
He would always spare his time after the sessions if anyone would have difficulty in understanding new moves or what to do to prepare themselves.
Peter-san is also talented as a singer. Most of you might remember him as the lead singer & guitarist in last year's X'mas Party singing 'La Bamba' and 'Twist & Shout'. Even then he would make sure everyone was having fun and took on the role as a 'Mood Maker'.
Peter-san thanked Tohyama Sensei and everyone for all the experience and things he had learned from many others at the dojo.
He especially thanked Tohyama Sensei for his devotion to the Dojo and providing the time for the dojo members to be able to experience 'Martial Arts' at its highest and purest standard, even though Sensei himself has a full time job and many others to handle.
Tohyama Sensei had replied by expressing how sad he would be to see him go, but had assured Peter-san that no matter how far he may be (in New Zealand) we will all be connected by Karate, the Tohyama Dojo Karate and Sensei will always be Peter-san's Sensei. Sensei told Peter-san "You can leave my dojo but my dojo never leave you." with a smile.
Brand new mittens and a training pad with a big card was presented to Peter san. (which we hope he likes it).
We closed our farewell party in a Tohyama Dojo style, with a good Chudan Tsuki (punches) with loud kiais to wish Peter san and his family the very best in New Zealand, his home country.
It was a farewell party, but we did not say good bye. We all hope to see you (Peter san), soon.
Once again, I would like to thank Tohyama Sensei on behalf of the dojo members for arranging a great party.
By the way, I had the privilege to see Peter san off at the airport the following day, and would be happy to inform you that he was thanking Tohyama Sensei and the members of the dojo to the time of departure.

Osu!

English National Championship CANCELLED
12th May 2010

Please take note that the English National Championship which is supposed to be held at
Alfreton Sport Center,
Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 7BD
on 22th May 2010 is cancelled.

Visitors from Japan
3rd May 2010

Two ex-members visited London Dojo and trained with us during Easter and May bank Holiday. Noz Imanishi used to be a student of Tohyama Sensei's old Liverpool Dojo visited London and trained with new dojo mates. His stories about Tohyama Sensei's Liverpool Dojo and Liverpool days were so interesting and all London Dojo members enjoyed the time spent with him.
A few weeks later, Senpai Yasuharu Tsuru again visited London Dojo and trained for 2 sessions with us. He came from Israel on a business trip and flew over from there to train with Tohyama Sensei.
London Dojo will ALWAYS welcome old boys and girls. Come and train with us when you are back in London on business or for pleasure! This welcome is also extended to the people who has not turned up for few months (maybe few years!) you are also more than welcome back to training. Don't be shy!

Osu!

2nd Special Training Session (with Family)
Oyako Seminar Report
by Peter Kell, 27th March 2010

On Saturday 27 March, Tohyama Sensei held his Oyako (family) Seminar. It was well attended, with over one hundred people participating. It was good to see so many parents and other family members and friends taking part alongside the regular dojo members. Like me, most participants would have found it a friendly, entertaining and highly educational session.
The seminar lasted one and a half hours, and was divided into two parts. Tohyama Sensei first took us through a regular warm up before introducing some fundamental karate punches, blocks, kicks and stances. He emphasized the importance of correct form and body use for generating power and speed. We practiced sanchin-dachi (hourglass stance), one of the most powerful stances in karate. Tohyama Sensei demonstrated how powerful this stance could be, as Masumoto san - the largest member of our dojo - struggled to lift Tohyama Sensei when he was in the sanchin stance. We all had a chance to practice this in pairs.
In the second half of the seminar Tohyama Sensei explained, demonstrated and gave us the opportunity to practice in pairs other key concepts such as ki (or energy), correct breathing and the importance of mind over matter. The ki exercises were not only fun but also a vivid way to demonstrate how the mind leads the body. Tohyama sensei's playful demonstration – involving several fathers and dojo members – of the importance of focus and truthfulness or sincerity further reinforced how easily the mind could be distracted and our karate techniques weakened. The only way to overcome this was to think positively, stay focused and be truthful to oneself in training and practice.
Tohyama Sensei also shared with us his insights - grounded in real practical experience(!) - on the similarities and differences between kumite (or competition fighting) and street fighting. The key difference I took from Tohyama Sensei's comments was that while kumite favoured the young, fast and powerful, street fighting often relied more on timing. Blend in with one's opponent, adjust oneself to his or her moves and, no matter one's age, one could be victorious
This was for me a great seminar. There was something for everyone to learn and to reflect on. I was really pleased to see so many people attend and support the dojo. I am grateful to Tohyama sensei for organising the seminar. I also extend my appreciation to Masumoto-san, who did a fantastic job interpreting at the seminar.

Osu!

3rd London Dojo Internal Kata Tournament 2010

Date: 06/02/10 (Sat)
Venue: Finchley Dojo (Large Hall)

London Dojo held its annual internal Kata tournanment on 6th February 2010 at the Finchley Dojo (St. Mary's Church Large Hall) with a purpose of allowing dojo members to participate and showcase their Kata skills achieved through hard work and practice.
It started at about 2:00pm in the afternoon and ended about 6:30pm in the evening with the preliminaries and a short break with an interval of Kata Bunkai from Tohyama Sensei who showed us about how we could use Kata in fighting skills and then completed with the finals of the Kata tournament.
There were many members who were nervous but yet performed the best they could. It had a great atmosphere and we learnt a lot of pointers on how we could improve our Kata.

Special Thanks to Mr Ken Ichii, Mrs Kana O'flynn, Mrs Kaori Mochizuki, Mrs Noriko Sugasawa, Mr Kenneth Chin and "The Super Interpreter" Mr Joji Masumoto
Special mention from Tohyama Sensei: Mai Sugasawa (Miss), Tom Rose (Mr), Brendan Emmanuel (Mr) and Taiga Ichii (Mr). Their Katas were also VERY good!

Visit the gallery to see images from this event.

Below are the results from the competition

Results - Kata Competition 2010

Kids (White Belts)
1st	Konrad (Mr)
Other top 4:	Ryuan Kell (Mr) Naoyuki Yoshida (Mr) Yurika Shirai (Miss)
Kids (Orange & Blue Belts)
1st	Hiroki Fujii (Mr)
Other top 4:	Masaki Ohdake (Mr) Lucian Mulcahy (Mr) Liam O'flynn (Mr)
Adults (White Belts)
1st	Mittal Shah (Mr)
Other top 4:	Kamon Yamamoto (Mr) Kaori Mochizuki (Mrs) Takanori Homma (Mr)
Adults (Orange & Blue Belts)
1st	Yasuyuki Fujita (Mr)
Other top 4:	Pierre Fichelson (Mr) Vesta Zemaityte (Miss) Peter Kell (Mr)
Yellow Belts and Above (Adults & Kids mixed)
Top 4	Kazuki Fujii (Mr) Suguru Nagano (Mr) Tibor Jones (Mr) Tonoko Hoggard (Mrs)

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