Spring Gasshuku at Cannes
March 31 April 1, 2007
Once doesn't count: our Spring gasshuku in Iles de Lérins took place in the rain! However, there are many other opportunities and we had the chance to benefit from the hospitality of La Poudrière which is well known by the people living here.
The subject of this Gasshuku was: KIME. And it was in front of this superb calligraphy from Pascal that we practiced during two days and tried to live up to the spirit of decision and liberty.
We started our Gasshuku with Hiki Otoshi during one hour in the memory of Enrico... followed by a detailed study of Kihon sotai by trying to position best our Kime. Saturday afternoon was devoted to Omote.
Sunday morning at 6 a.m. was dedicated to the study of Ken Kihon and two Kenjutsu Kata with Kodachi (as you know, these Kata can never be practiced during a Gasshuku because the days are too short!!).
As for the remaining hours on Sunday, our group was honoured by the presence of Marc, Kendoka and friend of Pascale from the Corsica group, to whom I had the chance to teach the three first Kihon tandoku. It was a big enrichment for him to combine his Kendo experience with the study of the basic movements in Jodo.
During the rest of the day, some new Kata were taught to a few people and the advanced participants took the sword to assist them to master the form. Jean Claude and myself had then time enough to revise the Kusarigama series and to work on some Jutte kata which we knew. In short, everybody was satisfied by this Gasshuku and when the first sunshine came through the clouds we took the ship back to the continent... until May.
Gilles
Fédération Européenne de Jodo / European Jodo Federation