The twelfth (and the first) seminar in Zlin
from April 12 to 13, 2008
The Shinto Muso Ryu Jo seminar with Fred Quant was held in Zlin, during the second weekend of April. Although it was already his twelfth seminar in the Czech Republic, it was also the one since that we can expect his visits only once a year. Fred suggested this change already at the previous seminar in November, and it was only a matter of deciding the season for his future seminars. Since we chose the spring, the interval between the previous seminar and this one did not seem that long, but now we have to wait for one year. Thus, everyone who did not attend the twelfth seminar missed his chance for this year.
Why only once a year? As Fred told us, we are already independent and do not need him that much. Although we will have to do without the chance to practice with Fred twice a year in the Czech Republic, it is still possible to attend one of Fred's or other FEJ seminars abroad. Also, we intend to organize a kind of "national seminar" every November, where we can all meet together.
As for the seminar itself, the practice was planned for Saturday and Sunday. As usual, we stated with tandoku dosa, while the more experienced of us helped with fixing the mistakes and trying to point out those that repeat frequently. Two hours later, we continued with a short uchikomi geiko. Furthermore, everyone including the beginners tried a fragment of the chudan waza kata midare dome.
Then, we practiced other kinds of uchikomi both with jo and bokken, kihon sotai, and after a demonstration of the omote, chudan, ran-ai and kage waza, we exercised the kata of these series. Almost all of us learned two new kata.
After the seminar, everyone had an opportunity to demonstrate what they learned in front of the others. Nobody was too eager to do so, and apparently they knew why; after two days of practice, it was as if everyone froze and forgot what they had learned, and made all kinds of mistakes. But that does not matter. I think it was a useful experience to try to show the newly acquired knowledge. And of course, it was a "fun" to watch for me, as for once I did not have to be the one observed by everybody ;)
Finally, we held a short exam for the lower ranks. All the 4th and 5th kyu candidates were successful, so the only glitch was caused by myself, forgetting to order "maki otochi" during the kihon tandoku part of the exam. I ate humble pie and according to Fred, the exam participants "may have all been lucky" (because just that technique).
About 30 persons from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary (and the Netherlands) took part in the seminar. After a long hiatus, journalists took interest in the seminar again (possibly because Zlin hockey club did not manage to get to play-off). We were also visited by a likable lady from the Brno radio station, that relayed a reportage about the seminar.
Overall, there were no significant problems. The practice was great, there were no trouble with the organization or travel. It was all over way too quickly for me, and I hope that for everyone else as well, as that would indicate that they enjoyed yourselves. Hopefully, everyone also learned something new, as I did. I am looking forward to see you again the next time.
Patrik Orth (English translation of Zdenek Dvorak)
Fédération Européenne de Jodo / European Jodo Federation