Taka-san



This week saw the awarding of black belt to Taka-san and it was my pleasure to have been there capture this special moment. It was definitely a big day for Mugenkai. To see this man work so hard and to get to this level, no one deserves it more. Taka-san is an extremely very hard working staff member of Mugen kai.  Though I have know him but only a short time but I can most definitely say, he is a great teacher, a great student and a fantastic fighting partner.  Congratulations!




 


 
 

Team Shida-juku

 
I managed to get time to go and shoot the Shida-juku class on Tuesday nights and lucky for me it was the day for students to get their new belts. It was a great to experience this night. The Shida-juku team work hard and play hard. You could feel the fighting spirit within all members and with the whole team. I said to Yamaguchi-sensei that night it doesn't matter now young or old you are, the true spirit of fighting lives within you forever until you die. You can truly see why these men are successful in and outside the dojo!






















No classes Jan 22 (Sat) / 23 (Sun)

Due to the Mugen Training camp in Naka-Izu on Jan 22 and Jan 23, there will be no regular classes held in any of the Mugen branches. For those coming to the training camp please make sure to be on the premise before 3pm. There are many planned activities so it should be an enjoyable time for all.

2011 Mugen Karate Events 


Jan 22/23 - Mugen kai Training camp (Naka-Izu)

Feb 27 - Team event tournament
Mar 26/27 - Mugen-kai Kids Training camp 
April 24 - Grading day (Kuramae )
May 21 - Kids Grading day (Hiroo & Azabu-Juban)
Jun 26 - Mugen Tournament and Mugen's 5th year Aniversary party 
July 9/10 - Mugen-kai Kids Training Camp
Aug 7 - Adult's Grading day (Kuramae)
Sep 17/18 - Mugen-kai Kids Training camp
Oct 10 - Mugen-kai Exihibition
Nov 5 - Kids Grading (Kuramae & Akihabara)
Nov 12 - Kids Grading day (Azabu-Juban & Hiroo)
Nov 27 - Mugen-kai Tournament
Dec 18 - Adults Grading day (Azabu-juban)

Jan 14 - A real photographer



For Friday's kids class we had the pleasure of having a real photographer for a magazine called 'Sesame'. I think this is the kids fashion magazine affiliated with Asahi publications but we will find out at a later date.  With almost 30 kids turning up for practice this time, I am sure we will have great photos for the Mugen Karate coverage in the magazine. It was a very hot session and reminded me of summer training. No complaints, better hot than cold anytime of the year especially when training!






2011 Mugen Karate Events 


Jan16 - Woman Free Trial Lesson 12-1pm(Azabu Juban)

Jan 22/23 - Mugen kai Training camp (Naka-Izu)
Feb 27 - Team event tournament
Mar 26/27 - Mugen-kai Kids Training camp 
April 24 - Grading day (Kuramae )
May 21 - Kids Grading day (Hiroo & Azabu-Juban)
Jun 26 - Mugen Tournament and Mugen's 5th year Aniversary party 
July 9/10 - Mugen-kai Kids Training Camp
Aug 7 - Adult's Grading day (Kuramae)
Sep 17/18 - Mugen-kai Kids Training camp
Oct 10 - Mugen-kai Exihibition
Nov 5 - Kids Grading (Kuramae & Akihabara)
Nov 12 - Kids Grading day (Azabu-Juban & Hiroo)
Nov 27 - Mugen-kai Tournament
Dec 18 - Adults Grading day (Azabu-juban)

December 8 & 9 - Weekend Gathering


Looks like the kids are getting more and more flexible.  Saturday's class was filled with lot of high kicks - it was so wonderful to see. Yamaguchi-sensei added some interesting drills and games at the end. All the kids enjoy themselve a lot. 

As for Sunday's class we had the Kuramae and Azabu Juban students today in the Juban Dojo. There were many skilled students there and it was a enjoyable and educational class. Many people came today for the regular class. It felt like a grading day with the huge mix of people. We also  had 2 new joiners who seem really want to practice with their kids and with the other mugen members. 2011 will definitely be a year of making new friends and closer bonding with family members.












January 7th - M stands for Mugen


 First day of practice for the year and every one was having fun. Yamaguchi-sensei arranged the usual warm up, Kiho, Drills and sparing but I noticed the kids were trying much harder and also adjusting to the levels of those who were not as big or skilled. This was great to see. We need to understand and respect the level of those around us whether lower or higher. We do karate not just to be stronger but to control our strength. As Yamaguchi-sensei always says, safety is very important.