OSUmag - Issue 4 (April 2020)

Click HERE to download the 4th edition of our Dojo Newsletter.

I am writing this message in very strange and difficult times. I first want to express the hope that you are all well and that you are managing to cope with the situation in which we all find ourselves. I know that for some of you things have been particularly hard and I ask that you let us at the dojo know if there Is anything we can do to help.

I am really pleased that so many of you have remained connected to the dojo and have been participating in our live-streaming sessions. I would also encourage you to access the video library that we are continually improving and expanding. These videos will give you an opportunity to work on your syllabus and, especially, your Kata. To access the library you need to visit our member-exclusive space on our website http://www.karatebondi.com/trainingvideos. The password is karatenorthbondi.

I particularly want to thank all those of you who have continued to financially support the dojo. Without your support I doubt whether we would have been able to keep the dojo afloat so that we can resume normal service in the (hopefully not too distant) future.

The coronavirus pandemic has come at a time that coincides with the 26th anniversary of the passing of Sosai Mas Oyama (the founder of Kyokushin Karate), and it would be appropriate to reflect upon some of the words contained in a message from Sosai Oyama’s successor, Kancho Matsui (the President of the International Karate Organisation Kyokushinkaikan): “I am reminded of Sosai Oyama’s legendary solitary mountain training. By purposely enduring self-isolation and hard physical training, Sosai was able to clear his mind, focus on training, and temper his body into steel. From his book, ‘What is Karate’, Sosai wrote that his master advised him to ‘Withdraw from the world. Seek solace in nature. Retreat to some lone mountain hideout to train your mind and body. Temper the heated iron before it gets cold, so train yourself in self-discipline… if you wish to be a great man’. Sosai undertook that experience with trepidation but emerged having undergone something life changing”.

Think about this message in considering your own training. In particular, those of you who intend testing for Shodan grade at the end of this year are reminded that we judge you not only on your performance in the grading but on your performance over many years of training in the dojo and your attitude to training and to adversity. Failure by you to show the necessary perseverance and determination over this difficult time will weigh heavily in our final decision-making.

Lastly, I wish to express my deepest appreciation to all the senior students who have given of their time and energy to keep the dojo active and innovative. I specially wish to thank Sempai Nora for her great efforts in keeping things going. To all of you: keep up the spirit of Kyokushin! We will emerge from this even better and stronger.

Keep well and keep safe. OSU!