Taikai 2010 Recap

On June 5 and 6, we had such a powerful annual gathering, Taikai 2010. Thank you to all the Seibukan Warriors in and outside of the US who participated, as well as 14 Dojo-chos represented their schools at the event; Seibukan Jujutsu of Honbu Dojo (headquarters), Wasilla, Oregon, Mendocino, Solano, San Francisco, Berkeley, Martinez, Seaside, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, and Hungary. It was great seeing students who I have not seen for a long time and who live away from the Headquarters, as well as the warriors from all over California.

I enjoyed teaching the morning sessions of the two days, covering the themes of Fire, Water, Earth, Wind and the Void , along with the concepts and techniques of each theme. It always inspires me to teach in this special event, and the best of me comes out to teach and share my skills, knowledge and experience.

In the afternoon sessions, we had 6 certified instructors teaching and sharing their skills and knowledge. These exceptional teachers were; Chris Haney Renshi of Honbu Dojo, Som Pourfarzaneh  Shihan of SJO San Francisco, Jose Miguel Rosas – Kyoshi of SJO Santa Cruz, Jason Ortega Shihan of SJO Oregon, Bear Roberts Shihan of SJO Solano, and William Candelario Renshi of SJO Los Angeles. Each instructor presented a class in such a unique way, and all participants enjoyed and appreciated their generous teachings.

On Saturday, we had a special demonstration for the level of Nanadan (seventh degree black-belt) by Jason Ortega Shihan. He demonstrated his years of everyday training, experiences in teaching, and what an outstanding martial artist he has become. The skills and techniques are precise, and level of understanding was deep. He presented a model demonstration of Nanadan level for others to follow.

Ortega Shihan’s family came from Oregon and supported him at this occasion. His three brothers, Adam, Ian and Brendan, are all black-belts in Seibukan Jujutsu, as well as their mother Madelynn. At the end of his demonstration and presentation of promotion, we had a surprise to a special person. That was the father of the four Ortega bothers, Tom. He received an honorary black-belt and promotion to Shodan in Seibukan Jujutsu. He has been a great supporter for his four sons and his wife to study Seibukan Jujutsu, and open up a Dojo in Oregon having Jason as the head instructor. He has been seeing the techniques, listening and practicing the philosophies of Seibukan Jujutsu in his daily life. Tom was asked to throw each of his sons at the end of the surprise presentation, and he did beautiful techniques which surprised everyone in the Dojo, especially Ushiro zeme otoshi to Jason was fantastic! It was definitely one of the high-lights of the event.

On Sunday, we finished the weekend seminar with the Kudan (ninth degree black-belt) demonstration by Jose Miguel Rosas Kyoshi. One of the requirements of Kudan level is that the instructor has to teach and produce 7 or more Nidan (second degree black-belt) and above levels of his/her own students. Rosas Kyoshi has been teaching in his school in Santa Cruz, California for quite some years, extending his professional skills and knowledge to his students of the area. He has also influenced so many practitioners of the entire Seibukan Jujutsu organization, and has been a model to many students and martial artists.

For the first time in Seibukan Jujutsu’s history, Rosas Kyoshi was promoted to the level of Kudan at this Taikai 2010. His seven selected students practiced with Rosas Kyoshi to put together an outstanding demonstration, and each one of them reflected the teaching and mannerism of their teacher Rosas Kyoshi very well. The demonstration consisted of basic and advanced techniques and skills, including some humors and lots of laughter. Throughout the demonstration, Rosas Kyoshi displayed his horned skills and professionalism, and every part of the presentation was admirable and noteworthy. Special thanks to those who came to support him, and be a part of this historical moment.

Taikai 2010 concluded with great excitement, explosive energy and high expectations for the year to come! The photo gallery is available for viewing, and a video from the event will be produced shortly, so please keep checking our website.

The next big event is going to be Gasshuku 2011, that is scheduled on January 8 and 9. I invite every Seibukan Jujutsu warrior to this gathering, and extend my invitation to prospective students who are inspired by our teaching and philosophies. Seibukan Jujutsu keeps evolving and extending its non-competitive self-defense techniques, positive energy and unique philosophies for modern day warriors of all ages.

Thank you for your support and let’s keep going!