10th Gasshuku in Würzburg (Germany)
from June 23 to 24, 2007
As every year - and this already for 10 years - the two "inseparable", Michel and Coco from Switzerland, came to Würzburg to prepare a nice training during that weekend. They were accompanied by Jean-Jérôme who is training in Fribourg. We also were pleased to welcome Jeffrey and Shanti from the Netherlands as well as Helga, Kerstin and Bernhard from Austria. This local Gasshuku gets little by little an international flavour.
And also as every year we started Saturday morning at 6 a.m. with Kihon sotai. And as always, there were quite a lot of corrections. Towards the end of this morning training, something happened that has never happened before: It started raining! However, we finished the Kihon in the rain (only 3 Kihon remained), we then went back to the gymnasium were some members of Franz' club (who organized the Gasshuku) had already prepared a well-earned breakfast.
We started again at 9 a.m. until noon in the big gymnasium hall where the two inseparable made us work several interesting techniques with Jo against Jo or Jo against Ken. These were basic exercises for the study of Ma-ai, Ri-ai and also the perfect angle. After lunch we worked with Ken which has now become an important element of our Gasshuku, for without a good Ken technique Jo will always be weak. We also had the time to try a few Kenjutsu kata before finishing the afternoon session at almost 6 p.m.
In the evening, we went to a restaurant which we new already quite well. Unfortunately, the weather was not fine enough to stay outside from where we have a fantastic view over the city. That's why we stayed inside having a lot of fun despite it. It was a nice evening during which we had the opportunity to taste the wines of a region that is called Franconia and belongs to the federal state of Bavaria (however, never say to a Franconian that he is Bavarian, he will never forget it!). In short, the evening was quite "humid" and we came back a little bit late.
That's why we had a few problems next morning to get up at 5.30 a.m. in order to start a 6 a.m. But we were lucky this time, the weather had changed and we could train outside in fresh air starting with Kihon followed by several exercises so that everybody was fit again after the first session. Breakfast was again served by the people from the club (thanks a lot because every year they sacrifice their Saturday and Sunday morning to prepare the breakfast).
During the morning training, we formed several groups depending on the last techniques that were learned. Michel and Coco did a lot of work to correct and to advise. Almost everybody could then learn a new Kata.
The afternoon training was a little bit shorter in order to allow Michel and Coco to return in time. The different groups now practiced what they had learned previously by taking care of the corrections. And those who had learned a new Kata mainly concentrated on this new technique.
And we should not forget Jean-Jérôme who had the opportunity to pass his first Kyu. Congratulations to Jean-Jérôme!
And last but not least, thanks a lot to Michel and Coco who every year have to deal with participants of quite different levels which is not easy to handle. They really did a very good job and we will be pleased to see them again next year for the 11th Gasshuku!
Matthias Wenderoth, SMR Oku-iri
Fédération Européenne de Jodo / European Jodo Federation