Participants at the 2017 IKKU Winter Camp

The International Karate Kobudo Union held the 2017 IKKU Winter Camp from Jan 13-15, 2017. The event was held in Carrollton, GA and hosted by Shihan Dai Billie Robinson, Chief Instructor of Robinson’s Karate Dojo and Yoga Center. There was a great turnout with approximately 35 attendees for the event. Participants gathered from across the Eastern U.S., including attendees from Georgia, North Carolina, and Maine. The IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union was represented with participants from 8 affiliated Dojos.

Odori (踊) Kata
Defensive Dance

Soke Ruiz spent time teaching Odori Shodan and Nidan during the winter camp. Odori literally translates to the word Dance. At one point in Okinawa and Japan’s past, Martial Arts were banned. So to maintain the martial knowledge, Martial Artist began to disguise their arts into Odori as folk dances. This allowed the Martial Artist to continue their training without interference from opposing forces at the time.

The Odori Series of Kata were originally created and taught to Soke Ruiz by his Sensei, “Kiyoshi” Aihara. There were 5 Odori Kata developed in total as a Defense to the 5 Pinan Kata created by Anko Itosu (1830 -1915). Since the Japanese to English translation of Odori is “Dance” and the Kata were developed as Defense to the Pinan Kata, then the Kata Name translates as Defensive Dance.

To date Soke Ruiz has taught 4 of the 5 kata at some point in his 60+ years career. He keeps the 5th Odori Kata to himself, still holding on to this knowledge like the prized possession it is. Maybe at some point in the future he will pass along the 5th Odori Kata to a special student, still yet unidentified.

Tanchi (残缺) Kata
Incomplete Kata

During the 2016 Christmas Clinic, Soke Ruiz taught an advanced group Tanchi Kata. For the 2017 IIKU Winter Camp, Soke Ruiz expanded exposure to the kata and allowed access for the entire participant list.

This Kata is named after General “Chung-Jang”, pseudonym given to General Kim Duk Ryang who lived during the Yi Dynasty, 14th century. Tanchi translates to Incomplete because the Kata Stops before the end of the kata is formally reached. At the abrupt end of the Kata, the practitioner bends down to scoop water into their hands and then slowly brings the hands up to the mouth as to drink. The kata simply ends at this point to symbolize the person being struck and killed from behind, while in such a vulnerable position.

Hanshi Ron Downton teaches the group how to execute a perfect dropping Ushiro Geri during Tanchi Kata

Additional IKKU Information

Don’t forget our next upcoming event which is the 2017 IKKU Iaido and Bokken Clinic. The event is scheduled on April 22, 2017 and hosted by Shihan Dai Amy Howell at the Legion of AllStars in Griffin, GA.

For information about joining the IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union then please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-8 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, founder of the IKKU and other High Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a full listing of upcoming scheduled sessions please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

The post 2017 IKKU Winter Camp appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.

Soke Joseph Ruiz reviewing some of the finer points of Ryuubi Bo with Shihan Dai Matt Downton

On Saturday December 3, 2016 the International Karate Kobudo Union joined together for our annual 2016 IKKU Christmas Clinic and Celebration Dinner. The event was held in Dexter, GA and hosted by Kyoshi Kim Blue, Chief Instructor of Suansu Karate Kai. There was a good intimate turnout with approximately 26 attendees for the event. Participants gathered from across the Eastern U.S., including attendees from Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee and Maine. The IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union was represented with participants from 8 affiliated Dojos.

Ryuubi (龍) Bo Kata

Dragon’s Tail

The morning session was comprised of multiple Bo Kobudo Kata. Participants that had experience with Bo Shodan and Bo Nidan (also known as Tokumine No Kun), were drilled and refined. Participants that did not previously have these kata, broke away into smaller groups to drill their appropriate Bo Kobudo Kata(s).

Following the earlier Bo session, session Soke Ruiz taught the group Ryuubi (龍) Bo Kata which translates to Dragon. The name “Ryuu” is originally derived from Chinese origin. This form isn’t a part of our Kobudo Kata Shokai, which made it a rare treat for our group.

The Kata simulates the movement of a dragon during combat. When you attempt to strike the dragon on the head, then it will use it’s tail as a whip against you. If you attempt to strike the tail, then the dragon will attack with it’s mouth and attempt to shred you with it’s teeth. Attempting to attack the dragon’s body results in both the mouth and tail being used against you simultaneously.

Tanchi (残缺) Kata

Incomplete Kata

During the afternoon session, Soke Ruiz taught an advanced group Tanchi Kata . This Kata is named after General “Chung-Jang” pseudonym given to General Kim Duk Ryang who lived during the Yi Dynasty, 14th century. Tanchi translates to Incomplete because the Kata Stops before the end is formally reached. At the abrupt end of the Kata, the practitioner bends down to scoop water into their hands and then slowly brings the hands up to the mouth to drink. The kata simply ends at this point to symbolize the person being struck and killed from behind, while in such a vulnerable position.

Additional IKKU Information

Don’t forget our next upcoming event which is the 2017 IKKU Winter Camp. The event is scheduled from January 13-15, 2017 and hosted by Shihan Dai Billie Robinson at Robinson Karate Dojo and Yoga Center in Carrollton, GA.

For information about joining the IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union then please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-8 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, founder of the IKKU and other High Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a full listing of upcoming scheduled sessions please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

The post 2016 IKKU Christmas Clinic appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.