Autumn Course 2024 Grading Success
There was good attendance at the Shikukai Autumn Course during which Sugasawa Sensei firmly took the reins and drilled everyone in core principles with attention to details. At the end of the course a Dan grading was held in front of Shikukai seniors and overseen by Sugasawa Sensei. We are delighted to (belatedly) give recognition to Tom’s success at 2nd Dan. A well-deserved pass! He was presented with his Dan Grade certificate by Sugasawa Sensei at the last Instructors’ Course of 2024.


Summer Intensive 2024 (Report by Sue Dodd)
After the success of the Summer Intensive Course held in July 2023 we were delighted that Sensei Rob Selby from Mushin Jyuku agreed to hold another course in Devon for 2024. Students from across Devon, Chippenham and Essex converged on to what is known as the ‘Western gate way to the Jurassic coast’ for five days of intensive training the Shikukai way.
It was clear from the outset that Rob Sensei’s agenda was to focus on the fundamentals and the correct use of body movement set out by Sugasawa Sensei. The progression of our training was seamless with each session and each day building on previous learning. We began with Junzuki and Gyakuzuki drills on both sides which enabled us to explore the sharpness of our body movement and ensure that we used koshi wo kiru as we transitioned between movements. The challenge thereafter was to use this when performing kata and kumite. We were tested not only physically but also mentally when asked to perform each kata on the ura side, first using the space in the whole dojo, and then in smaller and smaller sections until eventually we were in such a small space that we were almost forced to move swiftly and sharply from our centre with the correct control that Rob Sensei described at the beginning of the course. The course certainly made us reflect on our own practice and helped us to see further connections within kihon, kumite and kata.
Many thanks to Sensei Rob and his team for their very warm welcome and for their hospitality both inside and outside of the dojo. Looking forward to the next Summer Intensive already!!

Winter Course 2024

Congratulations to Will who passed his 6th Kyu (1st green belt) at this year’s Winter Course held in Maldon, Essex. Two days (and more for some) excellent training with Shikukai seniors with attendees from the UK and Europe. A full report by Tim Shaw Sensei can be found here https://shikukai.com/blog/
Summer Intensive 2023
In July 2023 we ran our first intensive course exploring the Shikukai syllabus, focusing on different aspects of kihon (basics), renketsu-dosa (combination techniques) and yakusoku-kumite (pair work) each day. Students from Portland, Chippenham, Chelmsford and Manchester made the journey to join us for some or all of the five days practice and we were lucky enough to have Steve Rawson Sensei 7th Dan and Pam Rawson Sensei 7th Dan join us for a special class taught by them on the Saturday. A full report by Sue Dodd 2nd Dan and Tom Wilkins 1st Dan can be found at https://shikukai.com/blog/https://shikukai.com/blog/

Dan Grading Success

Although somewhat delayed in celebrating it, I am delighted to formally recognise Tom Wilkins’ success in achieving his 1st Dan (blackbelt) which was very well-deserved. Many years of regular practise is required to achieve this level and his success is a testament to Tom’s hard work and dedication.
Since passing, Tom has also taken on the role of assistant instructor in the children’s class and assists in teaching the adults when I am unable. He is proving to be a real asset to Mushin Jyuku Karate Club and to Shikukai. I am extremely proud!
Other Gradings
Our beginners all successfully passed 9th Kyu, Harriet passed 6th Kyu (green belt) and Lewis passed 3rd Kyu (brown belt). Well done to everyone!
