Katsujinken Dojo

Our newest member, Steve Samuel's won his 6th kyu in a dojo grading held earlier tonight .A great embu to watch. Keep up the good work!

Annual 2024 Katsujinken Dojo Cake Baking Competition.

Yes guys. After missing 2023 the dojo ' cultural event' is back. This Wednesday is the night we have been waiting for. So, get your cooking boots on and let's have a cook-in!
I have asked the staff if they can provide one (or two) judges for Wednesday evening and the say they will.
One member Steve, (our newest member) jumped the gun, and brought in a wonderful Strawberry Cream Sponge, which I just had to sample, and clearly the standard is going to be hight!!!!!!!
All Katsujinken members, present or past, are eligible to enter - just bring in some baked. This year I have decided to allow any swords woman or man to enter. If you want to, just phone me or reply to this mail.
There are no prises, just the right to claim the honour of winning.

FYI: After the waring period many samurai developed artistic skills such as Art , music and writing, both poetry and literature. This is our war of honouring our historical ancestors!
Good luck all !

Another old photo, Masamune Doji members! I guess this was taken in about 2010. (Back row) a young Sam Oram! Me in a white gi and without a beard, and 6 ft 4 in Scott Halls.
(Front row) Scott McCarthy, c 14yrs old, now 6ft 4.5 in. Fay Goodman sensei, head of Masamune Dojo and the late and still missed, Graham Kenning, our Sempai.

I was going through some old photo's and came across these! This is me showing of my scars after my triple bye pass and artificial valve replacement. This would be about 7 days after the operation as I no longer had a dressing.
My companion is Scott Halls, whose birthday it is today! Happy birthday Scott!

On Wednesday 6th March, Katsujinken Dojo member Katerina Moran was awarded 3rd kyu in a dojo grading! Congratulations Katerina.

Ted Foulger I saw your name on a BKA site last night. You are still registered with Katsujinken dojo, just marked as inactive as you told me when you dropped out it was your intention to return! I can flip the switch and reactivate your membership. Give me a call on 07976 720497 or drop on any Wednesday evening. You should find a few familiar faces!
Patrick.

Good morning to all members and potential newcomers (you are always welcome).A reminder that our annual club subs are now overdue. Once again they remain unchanged at £10 per member. Please pay in cash in the dojo or by bank transfer to the same bank you use for class monthly payments.

Ullenhall
In September, 2023, despite being notified by the dojo landlords promise of at least one year's notice to quit, Jon was notified one Wednesday morning that the previous Monday had been our last training session in the Community Hall. It coincided with Jon requiring another eye operation. So, as a temporary measure I booked Ullenhall Village Hall for 3 months. This time has now run out.
1st of Jan. Bank Holiday, 8th Jan the hall was closed for redecoration. Tonight is the first opportunity in 2024.
I am aware that some members would like to train on Monday nights so if enough of you are willing to undertake paying by bank transfer (during the last 3 months we had two nights with only me and one other practitioner) I will roll on the booking for another 3 months. As far as I am currently aware, Jon will not be returning to training in the near future. So if you are interested in Monday nights let me know. If enough people are interested we can get something moving.
If there is anyone currently not in training not from Katsujinken give me a ring about getting back into training
Patrick

Last night, in Tudor Grange Dojo, Nina Moran was awarded her 4th kyu in Iaido.
After a last polish up with two of our 3rd dans, Gemma Mabon and Alun Hughes, Nina but on a very controlled Embu (performance) .
Congratulations Nina. The panel was lead by Richard Pitt (4th dan) and Gemma and Alun , both third dan!
Alun , Gemma and Richard are on the left and Nina at the end of the line at the right!

Dear dojo members, ex members, friends and potential new members, 2024 is upon us!
Business first - our first nights training will be Wednesday 3rd Jan. 2024, which is this Wednesday. Usual 8:00 pm start in the main sports hall.
We offer training in Seitei Iaido to beginners and more experienced practitioners. If you would like to try a free taster sample class
phone for details on 07976 720497.
Usually ,within a year new students will move on to training in Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, a traditional school of samurai swordsmanship.
We have access to the highest graded teachers in both systems in Japan and the UK & Europe.
If you would like to try the above just phone me and ask for Patrick on 07976 720497.

Only minutes after our last session of 2023 we came under a sneak attack by an army of Ginger Ninjers !
Thanks to a shouted warning from Marie, our guard Elf for the evening, we rallied to defeat them. To date I have not been notified of any injuries to dojo members but all Ningers have been accounted for! Thanks Marie !

Katsujinken Dojo last session in 2023

We are reopening on Wednesday January 3rd 2024 at our regular Solihull venue, Tudor Grange Leisure Centre.
As always, we welcome potential new members. Under 18's require parental permission. Why not start the new year with a sample class of (probably) Solihull's most unusual hobby!
For more details phone Patrick on 07976 720497. You can even bring a friend.

Tonight is our last training session for Iaido and Jodo, at Tudor Grange Solihull for 2023. If you would to renew old relationships we would love to see between 8:00 and 10:00. If you would like to try a class this will be your last chance for a free of charge Taster class in 2023.
2024 we are back on Wednesday 10th January in the main sports hall again offering Iaido jodo classes for beginners and those of you thinking of returning to the arts. We offer a range of venues, Japanese arts and low prices and free parking at all our dojo.
Give our trial class a go, like they say 'nothing ventured nothing gained!
See you on January 10, 2024.

Wednesday will be the last session of 2023 and Matt sensei has suggested that anyone who has Montsuki or striped hakama should wear them! A good plan! Be there or be square!

We are also thinking of a "Welcoming of the New Year" ceremony on or around 1/1/24. Myself and Sandra (now in Cornwall) did this last New Year., aiming at 1,000 sword cuts! Let me know if you are interested if you are a sword practitioner regardless of which local dojo you belong to!

Late December activities!
Sakurakan Dojo (temporarily operating in Ullenhall).
Next Monday night will be the last class of 2023. Can members let me know if they are interested in training here next year as I need to book the hall if there is sufficient support. We need at least 5 regular attendees!

Katsujinken Dojo is open for training next Wednesday and the following wednesday, 20 December. We will be reopening on Jan .10th at Tudor Grange. NEW MEMBERS WELCOME.

Members, remember Sakura Kan dojo is no longer operating from the Redditch Community Hall. So no class tonight! We are still searching for a venue!

Good morning all !
1. We may be having potential new members coming to try a free taster class tonight. A lady called LG (or GL).
2.last weeks tameshigiri had a £5 charge. So far only 3 have been received and I am one of those. Please pay tonight if you can. Cash or bank transfer!
3. Good news on Monday Ross rejoined us at Sakura Kan (Redditch). He may pop up at Katsujinken sometimes.

Dear Katsujinken members, the last Wednesday of this month (two weeks away) is our Dojo Anniversary, 17th I think. I'm planning to do a tameshigiri evening and I need to know how many wara to make.
Can dojo members confirm that they can attend on Wednesday June 28th, 8:00pm - 10:00pm as we did last December. There well be a £5:00 charge and maybe some fun foam tubes (I've forgotten their name).
Please let me know if you are coming!
As previously cutting (live blades and stands prvided). Sakurakan Dojo members included in the invitation ( That's you Gary)!

Monday 12 June and the people attending Sakurakan Dojo in Redditch were blessed to see John Tubby Shaw back in the dojo.
Welcome back Jon sensei. A great evening session.

As well as Joe Halls!(now shodan) and mum Marie Halls (now ikkyu), Gary Leedham from daughter dojo Sakurakan (Redditch) obtained nidan iaido. Our jodo contingent Gemma Mabon. Alun Hains and Richard Pitt were the only grades in Jodo and all three obtained sandan.

Terrible news this morning !
Jon Shaw, who has been recovering from an eye operation for a Detatched Retina 2.5 weeks ago is back in hospital. The retina has detached again !
His original eye problem started back in February!
I will keep you all updated on his progress!

News Just In !
Nigel Watson, from Redditch, and Ex Katsujinken member (Sandan), has just finished the "Marathon Des Sable" , 250 km across the Sahara Desert with temperatures up to 56°. He raised just over £5,000 for Prostrate and Brest cancers and other charities. Not bad for a 66 year old who came in 17th in his category !
Well done Nigel , we are proud of your success !

Latest news on Jon Shaw.
To all dojoka at Katsujinken, Sakura kan and Mercian Japanese Sword Group. John Shaw awoke yesterday with, he thought, a recurrence of the eye problem which had plagued him earlier in the year. A doctor diagnosed it as being worse and needing an operation. After waiting at the hospital for several hours he was told to go home. On his way home he was recalled to the hospital for the operation. I have heard no more since then. I have phoned him 3 times since then and am awaiting a call back now.

Congratulations to Scott who was awarded his 4 kyu after a very strong embu in front of 10 classmates. Well deserved !

Congratulations to our own Andy Miles on obtaining his iaido Nidan at today's grading at the BKA Spring Seminar in Swindon . Well done Andy !

A message to past members of Katsujinken and Sakurakan Dojo .
Firstly , have you considered coming back into the fold ? We have survived Covid and unlike many other dojo we lost no members to lockdown or illness .
We have gained new members and have a slow flow of potential new members knocking on our doors (Solihull and Redditch and Hollywood ) We have had enquires from other sites as well.
But we still would love to see old time members coming back .

We also must be practical. Many of you will have lost interest now for several reasons. If it is negotiable give me or Jon (for Redditch) a ring (07976 720497).

If you are really out have you any books , clothes or weapons you can donate or offer for sale to "Current Active Members " of a dojo or I believe legal customers , again , give us a ring.
The ZNKR IAIDO book , Gi , uwagi and hakama will always find a good home. Iaito are always needed. I cannot keep a supply of iaito in all the sizes I would need to keep in hand to supply every size body who walks through our doors.
I currently have 3 students looking for iaito 's between 2.4 , 2.45 & 2.5.

Finally, I hope you are all well and look forward to seeing you all soon !

Patrick

Dear reader,
MJSG is holding a workshop next Saturday, 28th January, 10:00 am - 02:30 pm at Woodrush Sports Hub , Hollywood.
£10:00 for both sessions or £6:00 for one.
Contact me for more details.

Patrick

Dec 2022 Katsujinken Dojo year end 'treat' and entertainment session.
Jon Shaw's world famous interpretation of "Jake the Peg !"

We will be offering Mercian Japanese Sword Group events in the New Year with the first one coming at the end of January.
BKA members from other dojo will be welcome in most cases and guest teachers will also be invited. We will initially be trying to operate for 4 or 6 hours a day depending on the support received. Costs will be kept at a minimum

07976 720497 to contact me.