Category: 2019 Events

2019 events

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End of year party & final training for 2019

Honbu dojo end of year party was held on Saturday, 7th December; final training for the year took place on Saturday, 21st December, leaving 2019 with a great atmosphere.

The year-end party included tons of discussion and brought up a few points of importance for training, much to everyone’s satisfaction. For sensei, as appreciation for the past year, was a gift of various items of clothing, which he wore right away. A very enjoyable event for all!

Sensei showing his delight at the presents, which were much to his liking.
Chicken hot-pot, with delicious soup to which was added later on some rice to make a wholesome gruel to end off the dinner.
A selection of the awesome sashimi.

It is rather amazing how quickly yet another year has passed. This year saw the reappearance of some old faces in the dojo again, a great pleasure, and the welcome entry of new members. Sensei felt that 2019 has been a good year of progress.

It is everyone’s hope that 2020 will see a continuation of learning in bujutsu, and sensei is there to encourage everyone to their best ability.

Last training of the year group photo.
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October 2019 France seminar

From 19th–27th October 2019, Akuzawa sensei taught seminars in Lyons, France, first an exclusive black-belt seminar, followed by an intensive seminar for repeat attendees, and finally an open seminar for general attendance.

A very big congratulations to Julien Vicke and Mathieu Chauvel for passing their black belt grading to become new renshi.

Black-belt Seminar

At this seminar, Julien and Mathieu successfully graded for their black belts, congratulations!

Intensive Seminar

Open Seminar

Socializing

Vegetarian-only meals were a feature of the intensive seminar.
The atmosphere after training, invaluable communication opportunity with Akuzawa sensei for the attendees.
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2019-09-23 Tokyo Open Seminar Report

Report of the Aunkai Open Seminar, given by Minoru Akuzawa sensei, successfully held on 2019-09-23 in the gymnasium of Musashino Primary School. The venue was vastly improved by the addition of air-conditioning, which was really appreciated as the typhoon brought high temperatures and humidity to Tokyo. So just like last year’s seminar, in other words!

Sensei concentrated on teaching the essentials of “center line” (in Japanese, “Sei-chū-sen”) and “center of gravity” (“Jū-shin”), and how the former leads to use of the latter. In particular, these principles are in contrast to the use of “body axis” (“Tai-jiku”) which relies on grounded base, and “body weight” (“Tai-jū”) which involves leaning or kicking off the ground.

The training consisted of standing posture and walking exercises, with more experienced students giving advice and sensei moving from one person to another to let them feel his posture and movement for reference, and to give corrections.

Unbalancing partner training followed, and finally some free practice with a 6-foot staff (rokushakubō).

All in all, great learning experience for all!

Sensei demonstrating posture and walking without bracing.
Various types of standing an walking training.
Sensei demonstrating posture and unbalancing.
Sensei demonstrating use of short sticks in training with visitors from a Silat/Kali dojo.
Putting lessons into practice with rokushakubo partner training.
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2019-09-23 Tokyo Open Seminar

Overview

One-day Aunkai Open Seminar in Tokyo given by Akuzawa sensei.

Theme: Learning to use centerline (seichūsen) and center of gravity (Jūshin)

For some, centerline might refer to the anatomical centerline found in many textbooks.

The Aunkai works with a different kind of centerline — one that only reveals its merits in a martial context once the practitioner can feel it. This centerline is the basis for the Aunkai many unique and effective movements.

In this seminar, we will walk you through the process of posture and movements needed to “feel” this centerline.

This centerline is a very concrete proprioceptive feeling that was developed from the usage of bladed weapons.

Understanding this organization of the body can lend itself to producing devastating strikes, incredibly effective throws with little effort, all of which can be used in a variety of martial disciplines.

  • Date: 23rd September 2019 (Monday—public holiday)
  • Venue: Musashinodai Primary School Gym Hall, Nakano-ku, Tokyo (Access information)
    Address: 5–1–1 Kami-Saginomiya, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 165–0031
  • Time: 13:00–16:30
  • Fee: 6000 JPY
  • Application: please use online application form.
    Note: direct participation without prior application is not permitted.

Further Information

  • Participation: 18 years or older and in good health.
  • Clothing/footwear: clothing easy to move around in; indoor shoes (barefoot also OK).
  • Other: please bring own water/drinks, towels.
  • Dinner reservation: post-seminar dinner with Akuzawa sensei is planned (expected cost approximately 3000 JPY). A great time to ask questions, mix and mingle, and benefit from each other’s experiences.
    Confirmations can be made in advance, with finalization during seminar break.
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April 2019 France Seminar

From 11th–23rd April 2019, Akuzawa sensei taught seminars in France, first an intensive seminar aimed at black-belts and repeat attendees in Lyons, followed by an open seminar for general attendance in Paris.

Lyons Intensive Seminar


After long years of training, Philippe and Antonio attained their black belt ranking. Congratulations!

Paris Open Seminar


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2019-03-21 Tokyo Open Seminar

Overview

One-day Aunkai Open Seminar in Tokyo given by Akuzawa sensei.
Theme: Training striking techniques for competition.

The focus on this seminar is the application of internal body usage to striking techniques useful for competition.

Owing to space considerations, participation is restricted to 15 persons. Note that a minimum of one year of experience in martial arts training and competition is required.

  • Date: 21st March 2019 (Thursday—public holiday)
  • Venue: Kami-Saginomiya Dai-Ni Apartment Assembly Room, Nakano-ku, Tokyo (Access information)
    Address: 4-chome Kami-Saginomiya, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 165-0031
  • Time: 13:00-16:00
  • Fee: 8000 JPY
  • Application: please use online application form.
    Note: direct participation without prior application is not permitted.

Further Information

  • Participation: 18 years or older and in good health.
  • Clothing/footwear: clothing easy to move around in; indoor shoes (barefoot also OK).
  • Other: please bring own water/drinks, towels.
  • Dinner reservation: post-seminar dinner with sensei is planned (expected cost approximately 3000 JPY). A great time to ask questions, mix and mingle, and benefit from each other’s experiences.
    Confirmations can be made in advance, with finalization during seminar break.