WHAT’S BIG IN IOGKF MAGAZINE

Message from Sensei

Tetsuji Nakamura
IOGKF World Chief Instructor
Page 1

The Legend of the

Busagansahi
Goju-ryu Origins
Page 3-5

40 years of Tradition
Sensei Larsen Celebrates
Page 13-14

Oceania Gasshuku
Event report
Page 15

60 Seconds with Sensei

Joe Roses: Speed interview
Page 19-20

Masters Bio
Sensei Shuichi Aragaki
Page 16
& ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB?

LOOKING BACK:
30TH EUROPEAN
GASSHUKU
Over 30 years of memories
Page 20-36

MIYAGI CHOJUN
FESTIVAL 2015
Event Preveiw from Canada
Page 21–23

2015 EUROPEAN
GASSHUKU
Event Preview from Spain
Page 37-38

Flashback Friday’s
Rare photographs every week on our
International Facebook page.
Page 8

The Path to Okinawa

Top reasons to visit Okinawa &
attend the IOGKF World Budosai
I hope all our members and families are doing well.
First of all, Higaonna Sensei is quickly recovering from his illness. He
is at home walking without any help, and doing rehabilitation exercises
every day at the dojo. His main focus now is to rebuild the leg muscles
that he lost during the lengthy time he was in bed in the hospital. I
speak to him often, and he asked me to thank everybody for your get
well messages. He would like to see all of you at the World Budosai in
July next year. He should be fully recovered by then.
In February, I was in Australia to lead the Oceania Gasshuku. Despite
the last minute cancellation of Higaonna Sensei, the event was well
attended and a great success. I would like to congratulate IOGKF
Australia for all the hard work, and thank all participants for their
support. Now we have the Miyagi Chojun Festival in Canada in June
and the European Gasshuku in Spain in July. I am very optimistic that
we can make each a fantastic Gasshuku, even in Higaonna Sensei's
absence. I believe that the strength of our organization is that we have
so many talented instructors.
Sensei Henrik Larsen is also celebrating his 40 years of karate training,
inviting Bakkies Sensei and Terauchi Sensei to Denmark in May. I
would like to congratulate Sensei Henrik for his great success as a
karate-ka, as well as for building such a great organization in Denmark.
I would also like to thank him for his contribution towards spreading
traditional karate and promoting IOGKF international.
I am writing this message from Sophia, Bulgaria. This is my first time
visiting this city. Sophia is such a beautiful city with a lot of history.
Whenever I visit another country with a different culture and/or
language for the first time I feel that the spirit of traditional karate is
spreading steadily to all the corners of the world. I appreciate all the
hard work of the pioneers such as Higaonna Sensei and all the senior
instructors of the IOGKF. We must make sure to maintain the quality
and spread this intangible culture to the world.

Tetsuji Nakamura IOGKF WORLD BUDOSAI

IOGKF World Chief Instructor JULY 25-30, 2016
 [email protected]
Our organization is constantly growing. Each year we greet
new members and new member countries. Many of our
new (and some of the old) members may not be aware that
the IOGKF has a lot of information for everyone to share.

This magazine is an excellent source. If you are new to the

IOGKF, or just browsing, take a look at the older editions of
the magazine as well. You will find articles on many
aspects of Okinawan Goju-Ryu, karate life and the people
who are a part of the IOGKF’s history & development.

Other IOGKF sources are the official IOGKF Facebook

page (search: IOGKF International), our website
(iogkf.com) and the websites of the various IOGKF
countries. The IOGKF member websites are found on
IOGKF.com under “Member Countries”. Take the time to go
through these sites. There is a wealth of knowledge
available at your fingertips.

[email protected]
This edition has been a real labour of love. We have a
very special article in this magazine looking back at the
past 29 European Gasshuku’s that have been held over
the years since 1980. I want to thank the many, many
people across the world who have worked with me to
break the barriers of language and distance to support
this article. This will be a real record for IOGKF in the
future years and I hope it will bring back many memo-
ries for you.
I would also like to congratulate Sensei Henrik Larsen
on his 40th anniversary of Karate training. What a great
accomplishment by a great instructor.
I would like to thank Kevin Kennedy (Australia-AOGKF) for supporting me
with this magazine online and with all his work on the iogkf.com site.
Last, but certainly not least, I would like to once again send my best wish-
es to Higaonna Sensei. We know now better than ever that we have to look
after Higaonna Sensei as he has looked after us for so many years. Even
though Higaonna Sensei cannot travel, I will do my best to keep you
connected with him via this magazine, from Okinawa & our head office.
The legend of the Busaganashi is one
that is intertwined with the very essence
of Goju-ryu Karate, one that held a very
special place of inspiration in the heart of
our founder, Miyagi Chojun Sensei.

But for those who don’t know, who was or

what is the Busaganashi? And why is this
mysterious figure seen standing at the
front of so many Goju-ryu Karate dojo,
irrespective of affiliation, across the
globe?

The origins of the Busaganashi lay in

legend itself, however his tale is still
inspiring.

THE LEGEND:

There are two legends surrounding the story of the Busaganashi, the Okinawa
version and the Chinese version. Both a basically the same and two most prob-
ably became slightly different ,as through oral tradition the story was passed
down from one generation to the next.. However, it was the Okinawan version
of the legend that captured the heart and excitement of Chojun Sensei.

The story goes that in ancient China, a young girl gave birth to a boy. With no
father to raise the child, her family decided to abandon the baby in the forest.
As time went by, the girl and her family had a change of heart. When they
returned to the location they had left the child, they found the trees and the
forest had surrounded the baby and protected him. They took this as a sign and
decided to take the baby and look after him to the best of their abilities.

From an early age the child showed great intelligence and right throughout his
schooling he achieved great results. So much so, that he was able to enter the
imperial military. Now all grown up, he entered the military service he began to
learn the martial arts and became a master of great skill and power.
One day a tower nearby where he lived caught fire and was spreading
quickly. It would not be long until the fire spread to the rest of the village and
surrounds.

The now martial arts master heard of this and hurried to the fire. Using his
martial arts breathing (like in Sanchin Kata) was able to exhale strongly and
extinguish the fire with a single breath!

By doing so he saved the city and was honoured by everyone who lived there.
The townspeople bestowed him with the tile of “Marshall of wind and fire”, pro-
nounced in Chinese as: Yuen Sam Tan Doh. In Okinawa however the legend
refers to the Master as Busaganashi “Respected martial arts practitioner”.

THE LINK TO GOJU-RYU KARATE:

Miyagi Chojun Sensei absolutely loved the Busaganashi story and believed in
it. For him, it provide a higher power to aspire too, as we do with the many Ka-
rate masters with have access to on a near daily basis. We need to remember
that martial arts was on the verge of being popularized during Chojun Sensei’s
time and that there were no where near as many practitioners as there is now.
Busaganashi was a martial arts hero for Chojun
Sensei. He loved Busaganshi so much, that he
had a scroll with a drawing of the Busaganashi in
his home.

During the Battle of Okinawa in World War II, the

scroll was destroyed and Chojun Sensei felt as
though he had lost on of his most prized martial
arts possessions.

According to varying records, one student of Cho-

jun Sensei travelled to the Philippines and had a
wooden model of the Busaganashi sculpted from
an earlier sketch he had taken of the scroll. Upon
being presented with this, Chojun Sensei is said
to have become emotional and shed tears.
 So close to the heart of the Goju-ryu founder
was the Busaganashi that many of Miyagi
Chojun Sensei’s students hold the legend in
the same regard.

Countless Dojo’s across the globe feature the

Busaganashi as part of their Dojo shire,
including Higaonna Morio Sensei who’s
Busaganashi is pictured to the left. Many
other Goju styles have even used the
Busaganashi as their logo or mon for their
uniforms and organisation.

The significance of the position the

Busaganashi is in is often debated. Many

believe it may be may be a

movement from a Kata, other
believe differently. So though
has been given to the thought
it may be from the Goju-ryu
Kata Sesan, prior to the first
kiai point. The practitioner
raises their leg and hand,
similar to this position of the
Busaganashi, before turning,
dropping low and exhaling
strongly with kiai...Others think
very differently again.

As mentioned previously the title of

“Busaganashi” basically means respected
martial artists. Perhaps this is why Miyagi
Chojun Sensei admired the Busaganashi so
much; it was an ideal for him to strive to-
wards.

He certainly accomplished this goal and today

Chojun Sensei is often referred to as “Bushi”
meaning “Gentlemen Warrior” or “Exceptional
martial artist”. Whatever your view or opinion
of the Busaganashi, there is no doubt it
played an important part in the origins of Goju
-ryu and the ideals behind our style.
WWW.IOGKF.COM
 The brand new book by IOGKF founding member and India’s Chief
Sensei Mistry which encompasses over 50 years of research on Sanchin.
 Keeping the traditions of traditional karate
alive is the key to survival of our art and no
two pictures prove this better. The first
picture is of Miyagi Chojun Sensei
performing Sanchin Shime on Mr. Kotara
Kohama in 1941. 71 years later, in 20012,
Higaonna Morio Sensei & Terauchi Kazuo
Sensei can be seen in exactly the same
position...

Karate Masters of Okinawa came

together on several occasions for
different reasons, however their
mutual respect and admiration for
each other has always been pre-
sent. The first photo shows Miyagi
Chojun Sensei (centre) with Shoto-
kan founder Funakoshi Gichin
Sensei (right) around 1928. The
second picture recently shows the
successors of both these Masters...

One of the aspects that makes the senior instructors of IOGKF International
maintain such as high level is the fact that they still train and consider themselves
students of Karate-do. The picture on the left shows IOGKF’s first Saiko Shihan
(Supreme Master) Miyagi Anichi Sensei, practicing Suparimpei Kata behind the
Gasshuku of the first world Budosai in 1981. The second picture was taken 20
years later in 2001 in Italy where current Supreme Master, Higaonna Sensei can
be seen doing the same, in the exact same position...
THE UNIQUE CULTURE:

ATTRACTIONS LIKE NO WHERE ELSE:

SHOPPING & NIGHT LIFE:

HISTORY:

FOOD:

IOGKF WORLD BUDOSAI:

Sensei Henrik Larsen was In 1986, Sensei Henrik Larsen The Danish chief instructor’s
only 15 years of age when was promoted and made chief pursuit of excellence has
he entered the world of instructor of Demark - one the never ceased and in 1998 he
Karate in 1975. largest members countries in completed a degree in elite
the federation and a position he and competitive coaching at
He was born in Nykøbing F, proudly holds to this day. the University of Southern
Denmark and in 1965 and Denmark.
his experience in the
Karate world has led to him He has since gone on the train
becoming on the of the and coach many fine Karate-
worlds most highly ka to participate in local, Na-
regarded and leading tional, European and World
authorities in Traditional Championships.
Karate.
In 2006, during the world
His first experience in Chief Instructors Gasshuku,
Karate like, many of that Sensei Henrik Larsen sat and
era, was in the style of successfully passed the grad-
Kyokushinkai - A style ing test for 7th Dan Black Belt
known for its powerful kicks under Sensei Morio Higaonna.
& also its strong fighters. The actual test was
Sensei Larsen’s first in- undertaken in the Dojo of
structor in Karate was a Master Higaonna himself.
man named Ole Johansen,
however it wasn’t long until Sensei Larsen is held in such
a change of style came high regard across the world
about and the club began that the World Karate
practicing Goju-kai Karate. Federation (WKF) officially
recognized his 7th Dan grade
In 1980 he founded his own in 2008.
Karate Dojo, the Nykøbing
F. Karate Centre, which still 2010 was another milestone
exists to this day. Sensei when IOGKF Denmark hosted
Larsen’s Dojo is one of the the IOGKF European
most famous and strongest Gasshuku in Copenhagen.
Karate clubs in all of This mammoth event saw for
Denmark, having over 100 1994 saw him elevated even the first time over 1000 IOGKF
Black belts training regular- higher within the upper Karate-ka all training together
ly. echelons of IOGKF under Sensei Higaonna
International with his promotion outside of Okinawa.
It was 1985 that saw a final to the IOGKF Executive
change to Okinawan Goju- Committee. The Committee’s Sensei Larsen has gone on to
ryu Karate-do after meeting purpose is to assist in the guid- become an Internationally
the Master that would be- ing of the World Federation acclaimed instructor in his
come his lifelong instructor, and Sensei Larsen is the own right, having taught at
Sensei Morio Higaonna. committee’s longest serving events all over the world.
member.
In 2012, Sensei Morio
Higaonna stepped back as
role as joint chief instructor
and promoted Sensei Tetsuji
Nakamura as his replacement.
At the same time, Sensei
Henrik Larsen was also
promoted to the role of IOGKF
International Vice Chief
Instructor, a role he shares
with Sensei Ernie Molyneux
from England.

However Sensei Larsen’s

greatest Karate achievement
is one he received in 1994,
when Sensei Higaonna
awarded him the title of
“Shihan” or Master of
Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate. A
remarkable achievement and
one only given to a select few
in the nearly 40 year history of
IOGKF International.

Sensei Henrik Larsen’s size

and power in Karate is only
outweighed by his humility
and kind nature. He has so
deservedly earned the name
‘Sensei’ from so many
thousands of people world
wide who recognise his high
level of commitment, respect
and integrity.

IOGKF International wishes to

congratulate Sensei Henrik
Larsen on the 40th
anniversary of his Karate
journey and we all look
forward to another 40 years of
memories and training
together!

CONGRATULATIONS!
 By: Sensei Chris Larken The Sayonara party held at the Overall, the Gasshuku was a
IOGKF Australia (IOGKA) Apollo International was an tremendous success, with ka-
informal, friendly event, with rateka from IOGKF Australia
Throughout the Gasshuku, we photos from the past 3 days of and New Zealand, Shotokan
were treated to a wealth of training, providing some and other Goju organisations
knowledge, technical advice interesting talking points. coming together to train as
and articulate instruction from friends.
our World Chief instructor. Throughout the evening
impromptu skits and IOGKF Australia looks for-
Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura. performances added to the ward to hosting Nakamura
His teaching capabilities, festivities, showcasing IOGKF Sensei again in the not too
demonstrations and personable and Shotokan talent, and even distant future. So my invita-
character, charmed audiences, Sensei Nakamura honoured us tion goes out to all who enjoy
adding to the friendly with a song. training in the spirit of Goju
atmosphere of a proficiently run Ryu, to join us again.
Gasshuku.

This was Sensei Nakamura’s

first visit to Australia and he
was able to enjoy a little sight
seeing from the air, lunch at
Merewether beach on a
beautiful sunny day and a
viewing of Koalas, before
commencing a hectic training
schedule.

The Gasshuku ran for 3 days,

with one of the highlights being
an unannounced visit to Kotara
Dojo, by Sensei.

The energy in the Dojo was high

with expectation and with five
rows of senior black belts,
Sensei chose to lead the class
through all Kata, as a
forerunner to the Gasshuku.

Friday saw the official start of

the Gasshuku, with Yondans
and above practicing Sesan Ka-
ta. The following session
brought the remaining black
belts together, with ninety-six in
total.

After lunch, all grades came to-

gether under the instruction of
Nakamura sensei.
Throughout the remainder of
the Gasshuku, over 150 Karate-
ka enjoyed training, sweating
and socialising together.
NAME: Shuichi Aragaki
DATE OF BIRTH: January 10th, 1929
BIRTHPLACE: Taiwan
CURRENT RESIDES:Okinawa, Japan
RANK: 10th Dan Okinawa Goju-ryu
INSTRUCTOR: Sensei Chojun Miyagi
YEARS OF TRAINING: 64 Years
IOGKF POSITION: Honorary Advisor
OTHER POSITIONS:
1971 Advisor to Uehara Dojo in Okinawa.
1972 Vice Chairman of the Tokyo Karate
Federation.
1981 IOGKF International advisor.
INTERESTING FACTS:
Grandson of Chojun Miyagi Sensei’s first
instructor.
First Okinawan instructor of Sensei Tetsuji
Nakamura (IOGKF World Chief Instructor).
For our April Edition we posed the question on facebook, if you could
travel back in time to any moment in Goju-ryu history what would it be
and why?

For the first time ever in our letters to the editor and facebook
members question section of IOGKF magazine, we have had a unanimous
answer from the many people who responded.

Every person said that they would like to travel right back to when
the Kata of Goju-ryu were first created. Their reasoning for this is
to understand why the Kata were created and what the application and
purpose of each movement was.

We may never know who and when created our Kata and what was going
through their minds at the time. Only through rigorous training can
one come to understand the Kata.
 COUNTRY: Australia (AOGKF)
RANK: 7th Dan Goju-ryu Karate (IOGKF)
OTHER RANKS: 2nd Dan Jujitsu, 1st Dan
Kyokushinkai Karate
YEARS TRAINING: 44Years
BIRTHPLACE: Spain
CURRENTLY RESIDES: Canberra, Australia
YEARS TEACHING: 40 Years
IOGKF MEMBER SINCE: 1979
MET HIGAONNA SENSEI: 1975
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS: Grading at
Higaonna Dojo in Okinawa. Completing 40
man fight in Kyokushinkai.

What made you want to start training in Karate?

The main reason had to do with the fact I was bullied pretty badly in
school. I was from another country and an ethnic background so it wasn’t
always easy. But Karate gave me the confidence to look after myself.

Why do you think people should practice Karate?

Traditional Karate! I think it offers so much, especially Goju-ryu. In my

opinion it is the best system to opening your eyes up to how the body
works and how you can use it to feel good in and out of the Dojo. I look at
guys in our organisation who are in their fifties and sixties and they have
the body of a twenty year old! But the thing I love about traditional Karate
the most is that it really helps you to develop into a better person. You
understand right and wrong, along with the power of kindness and love.

Your favourite part of Goju-ryu?

I love it all! From traditional warm up exercises

to basics, moving basics, Kata, fighting, I think
they all have something wonderful to offer.
For me personally though, I love Kakie. For me it is
real free fighting. The locking techniques, upsetting
the opponents balance, it all works really well for me
and suits my style of Karate.

Do you have a favourite Kata and Why?

I really enjoy Kata training. Kaishugata or Haishugata, its all fantastic.

The one that I feel really good with is Sesan Kata. It just seems to suit my
body type and way of moving. It’s a great Kata.

What was it like meeting Higaonna Sensei for the

first time in 1975?
Wow! When he first arrived in Canberra 40 years ago, he was brought to
my Dojo where I was teaching a class. I hadn’t even seen him in action at
this point, but the aura around Higaonna Sensei was unbelievable. From
the moment we bowed to each other and shook hands, I knew I had met a
true master of Karate and I have been with him ever since. A great man.
The 2015 IOGKF Miyagi Chojun Festival will be held in Ontario,
Canada from June 11-14, 2015. The host city for the prestigious
event will once again be Burlington, the home of Sensei Tetsuji
Nakamura and IOGKF Honbu Dojo—Shudokan Karate & Family
Fitness Center.
2009 saw the Miyagi Chojun Festival held in Burlington and at
the same great location as this years event, the holiday inn
hotel in Burlington itself. This give attendees the opportunity to
sleep, eat, train, socialise and party in the one great location.
The success of the Miyagi
Chojun Festival is some-
thing that continues to
grow bigger and better
each year. The annual
major Gasshuku of North
America, IOGKF Canada
has a great track record of
hosting this event over
many years & 2015 will be
no different with at a
wealth of talent instructors
and activities on offer.
This is the first year that IOGKF will be running the Miyagi
Chojun Festival without Higaonna Sensei. However, IOGKF
Canada still have many talented instructors from all over the
world coming to share their knowledge with our members. From
North America, there will be Sensei Gene Villa (USA), Sensei
Bobby Smith (Bermuda) and of course Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura
(Canada). From South America, we have Sensei Gustavo Tata
(Argentina). From Europe, we have Sensei Linda Merchant
(England) and Sensei Torben Svendsen (Denmark). From
Oceania, we have Sensei Chris Larken and Sensei Joe Roses
(Australia). We also have Eric Higaonna (Higaonna Sensei’s son)
as a special guest instructor teaching ground self-defense. Eric
has had two professional cage fighting wins in recent times.
The theme IOGKF Canada has set for this year's Miyagi Chojun
Festival is "Never give up!". IOGKF Canada has T-shirts and
goods designed with the Japanese Daruma Doll that represent
the spirit of never giving up. They also have a special
inspirational poster as a gift to all participants using photos of
all instructors and Higaonna Sensei.

EVENT SCHEDULE

www.iogkf.ca/mcf2015
IOGKF had its birth in Poole, England in 1979 with the first ever International Gasshuku. Since
that time it would be impossible to count how may IOGKF events have take place around the
world, from local, regional, state, National and International events; there would literally be
thousands.
But one tradition that IOGKF International has hosted regularly since that time is its world
famous European Gasshuku events.
2015 sees the 30th European Gasshuku being organized by IOGKF International. A remarkable
achievement! The event has not taken place every year, being skipped every fourth year in recent
times to accommodate world Budosai events in Okinawa and also in the place of International
Gasshuku. But throughout the 36 year history of IOGKF, this event has been held 29 times, with
the 30th about to take place.
The European Gasshuku has a special place in IOGKF and Goju-ryu history. Not only is the tale
of Goju-ryu Karate spreading wide and far across a majority of the world, it also the story of how
our organisation has grown and developed to be what it is today.
Lets take a look back at the past IOGKF European Gasshuku...

IOGKF ARCHIVE REPORT:

This was the second major event
ever hosted by IOGKF International,
held only one year after the founding
of the world body.
This event was an important one in
the history of IOGKF as the senior
hierarchy of the Federation was
being established and many then
and up & coming chief instructors sat
Grading tests on this Gasshuku.
Among those people was Sensei
George Andrews who sat his 3rd
Dan Black Belt on this Gasshuku
and can be seen fighting Masuyama
Sensei from Sweden in the second
photo.

Top: Higaonna Sensei leads the

Gasshuku in Basics
 FROM SENSEI ERNIE MOLYNUEX:
One of my early memories of European Gasshuku
was Belgium in 1982. Higaonna Sensei was with-
out any assistants that year as in the past Sensei
Chinen or Sensei James were there to assist. This
was also the first European Gasshuku Eric attend-
ed as Sensei and Alanna brought him along as a
young baby. This was a really tough Gasshuku as
most of them were back then. The training sched-
ule was two morning sessions a break for lunch
and then another session in the afternoon.
I think the Gasshuku started with approximately
500 by the 3rd or 4th day we were down to about
150. At that time England had a few people grad-
ing. I was one of the 3rd Dan candidates. The grad-
ing was one of the toughest I have had, having to
fight nearly every other candidate. I cannot remem-
ber the pass rate at the time but do remember the
sayonara party was quite an event!
FROM SENSEI PATRICK CURINCKX:
This Gasshuku was my first personal contact with
Higaonna Shihan and many other Sensei.
Although this was only the 2nd European Gas-
shuku, many people from around the world attend-
ed. Every day we trained very hard for 6 hours, I
was a shodan at that time. We practiced a lot of
tensho kata and I enjoyed it very much.

FROM SENSEI STEVIE BIGGAR:

The 1984 European Gasshuku was the first time a
major Goju-Ryu course had been held in Scotland.
Glenrothes sports centre was the venue for this
and almost 200 students attended from Scotland,
England, Sweden, Germany, France, Spain,
Portugal and Belgium.
The main instructors were then 7th Dan Sensei
Morio Higaonna and European chief instructor
Sensei James Rousseau. The training was very
intense over the week.
I recall a barbecue on the Thursday evening at a
hotel in Kinghorn.
Two students from Glenrothes were also
successful in gaining their black belts during the
grading on the Friday afternoon. There are many
video clips on You tube from throughout the weeks
training.

Top: Sensei John Lambert presents Higaonna Sensei

with a gift at the end of the Gasshuku.

Middle: Social evening. From Right seated, Mrs Alanna

Higaonna, Sensei Morio Higaonna, Sensei John
Lambert.
 FROM SENSEI ERNIE MOLYNEUX:
One of my other memories of the European
Gashuku’s was one of France in 1986. Sensei
James Rousseau had moved back to England
from South Africa and the EGKA was at its
strongest. We took over 150 people to this
Gasshuku many of them were Dan grades. After
the first day some of the guys found you could
buy fireworks even though we were months from
Guy Faulks night. This went on for a few days and
nights until Higaonna Sensei had to have a word
with all the Gasshuku participants. What had
escalated into a bit of a war between two English
clubs got out of hand when one group thought
they would lure the other group into a trap and set
rockets off towards them! They had not accounted
on Masuyama Sensei coming up the stairs to
complain about the noise. Unfortunately he had
timed his approach with the lighting of the rockets
& as he entered the corridor on the landing he
was met by rockets speeding towards him.
Needless to say the students from England
disappeared and Higaonna Sensei’s intervention
the next morning put an end to their unwanted
firework display each evening.

FROM SENSEI STEVE GOULDSON:

This was one of the first European Gasshuku I had
attended and brought my students with me. After
training, Sensei Higaonna arranged sumo matches
on the beach. He made a big round circle in the
sand with his foot and said fight!!! He was referee
and the loser bought the ice creams...Great fun!

Sensei Morio Higaonna Sensei Leon Pantanowitz Sensei George Andrews Sensei Steve Gouldson
FROM SENSEI JORGE MONTEIRO:
The European Gasshuku of 1988 was a
long ago and I was very young. I was the
youngest chief instructor in the IOGKF.
Many instructors are no longer with us.
Some went to other organizations and
others have died.
It was the 6th European Gasshuku and
was with a great sense of pride that
IOGKF Portugal organized this major
event.
Since that date the number of participants
and the quality of training has increased
and nowadays we always have success in
all Gasshuku and events that we
organize.

FROM SENSEI LINDA MARCHANT:

I attended my first European Gasshuku in 1989
in Bournemouth. It was an amazing first experi-
ence and there were hundreds of participants. I
was so inspired by the event that I have contin-
ued to attend every one ever since!!
The Bournemouth Gasshuku had amazing sun-
ny, warm and dry weather so that one day the
training was outside on the grass. This was a
good idea but the heat was underestimated
(even by British standards) and there was a bit
of heatstroke and burnt heads (for those with
no hair)!! Higaonna Sensei would take the first
2 hours of basics, we would then break up into
groups and come together again for another
couple of hours with Higaonna Sensei finishing
the day. I was the only person from my dojo
that attended at that time and didn’t know the
order of play. So I was a bit worried when I saw
Masuyama Sensei take his students for a run
after training every day and asked my instructor
whether we would be doing the same, we were
not, so I was a bit relieved!!! It was also the first
time that I saw Higaonna Sensei demonstrate
body conditioning by being hit with a chi-ishi by
Sensei George Andrews!
 FROM SENSEI LINDA MARCHANT:
In 1990 I had some pals to attend the next
Gasshuku with in Holland. One of whom was
Okada san from Japan who was my Senpai and
someone from whom I learnt a lot about kata
(she stopped training many years ago). We hired
bicycles to get to the dojo, but there wasn’t one
small enough for Okada san so she got a lift and
the rest of us rode. These bikes had no hand
brakes, so you had to pedal backwards to stop.
There were quite a few students who rode their
bikes into the hedges to stop before they
mastered the technique!!
This was also a hard Gasshuku with lots of
sparring and takedowns. We all had green gi’s
from the sports hall floor at the end of the week!

Top Photo: Sensei Ernie Molyneux receiving Sanchin

Shime from Higaonna Sensei

Bottom Photo: Okada San.

FROM SENSEI LINDA MARCHANT:

In 1991, the group from my dojo was getting bigger and this time we decided to drive and camp at the
Gasshuku which was in Silkeborg, Denmark and there was a campsite right next door to the training hall.
This was a hugely attended Gasshuku although there were lots of drop outs as the week progressed
through fatigue and fainting! Great basics sessions and kata with Higaonna sensei and then after training I
would practice sparring with Paul Coleman around the campsite!
FROM SENSEI LINDA MARCHANT:
My students and I had another camping event
similar to the Denmark Gasshuku of 1991 in
France in 1992 for the Gasshuku and
European championships.

FROM SENSEI LINDA MARCHANT:

Following France, I went on my first visit to
Sweden for the 1993 IOGKF European Gasshuku
where we stayed in hotels within the centre of
town.
We all stayed in hotels around the sports hall and
all walked to training every morning. I don't
remember anything particular about the
training. However, as we were centrally located, I
did lots of great sightseeing in the new and old city,
seeing the huge ship that sunk on its maiden
voyage in the port maybe 300 years ago! I
remember we had great sunny warm weather!!
 FROM SENSEI LINDA MARCHANT:
After Sweden we then started to go to sunnier
climates with Portugal in 1994. I walked to the
dojo with Sensei Leon Pantanowitz every day.
There was an amazing Sayonara party held at
this Gasshuku (in my opinion, the best ever!),
which was held at a Port producer, where we
tried different ports with different courses.

Left: Sensei Morio Higaonna with Sensei Jorge Monteiro and his son.

FROM SENSEI LINDA MARCHANT:

The Gasshuku then moved to Spain, San Javier,
which was very hot. So much so, that after a
particularly intense session with Bakkies Sensei we
needed to mop the floor of sweat and that mopping
continued throughout the Gasshuku!
FROM SENSEI LINDA MARCHANT:
There were new experiences of survival in Moscow,
Russia in 1996. The venue was I think one of the old
winter Olympics venues and there was an old enor-
mously high ski jump in the background. It was a time
when it was still quite new to travel to Russia. There
were very few shops that were open and to get a decent
tea and cake we went to the equivalent of the Ritz in the
centre of Moscow! ! I remember being vegetarian was
incredibly difficult and a pizza I ordered came with just
grated carrot and tomato!! The hotel re-served the
breakfast day after day because someone spotted staff
taking sausages out of a cupboard, so there was a real-
ly bad outbreak of food poisoning. As I wasn't eating
meat I managed to avoid this!! The closing ceremony
before the last training was very long with loads of
speeches and awards, so much so that my friend who
had the food poisoning had to do a bathroom dash by
trying to crawl out of the hall surreptitiously!! The Sayo-
nara party was held in a revolving restaurant at the top
of a tower. However there was not enough food for eve-
ryone, although there was beer and vodka. We went
very hungry!!!

FROM SENSEI LINDA MARCHANT:

It was then back to England in 1997 and this time
Sheffield. At this point our dojo group had grown to
about 10-15 people and I used to organize the bookings
of attendees, flights (when appropriate) and accommo-
dation. In those days you had to use a travel agency for
block bookings!!!! Sheffield was also a fantastic
Gasshuku for making new friends and its camaraderie.
Lots of kumite training during the day and as we all
stayed on campus, good social events in the evening
which brought us all together.

Top: Sensei Guy Keen & Sensei Karl Wolfenden with Higaonna
Sensei. Bottom Right: Sensei’s Terauchi, Higaonna & Bakkies.
 FROM SENSEI LINDA MARCHANT:
In 1998 I was back to Holland to Arnshepapendal and
this time staying on campus which again was a great
example of eating, training and sleeping all together.
Arnshepapendal was a self contained sports complex
with single room accommodation. It was quite an
isolated place and we didn't venture out of the area.
Some people hired bikes to move around. We used
to meet up in the lounge area after training and play
cards or chat and have tea.
In the evening everyone used the bar area to
socialise after dinner together. I might be confusing
the years, but I think I attended a couple of extra
seminars in the afternoon, but cannot remember what
these were exactly!

Top: Gasshuku group photo

Bottom: Denmark group photo, front row fifth from left

Sensei Henrik Larsen.

FROM SENSEI PATRICK CURINCKX:

The second European Gasshuku in Belgium was at
the BLOSO Sports centre in Herentals. I was sandan
at that time and Chief-Instructor for Belgium since
1993. It was this Gasshuku that I was graded for
Yondan. We also celebrated 20 years of IOGKF.
The organisation of the Gasshuku was hard work
since we did all the work ourselves. I had a good team
to support me and I think I can say it was a big suc-
cess, 350 participants on a nice location, training hard,
sleeping, eating and having fun together! The weather
was very nice, people enjoyed being outside before
and after training. The Welcome party, a big BBQ,
was a great success. We also organised a trip to Ant-
werp and I remember at a certain moment we were
walking in the old part of the city with a guide when we
realised we’d lost some Sensei’s, I will not call them
by name! They had discovered a pub with delicious
Belgian beer so.... who can blame them!
FROM SENSEI JAROSLAV VALENTA:
This is a very memorable Gasshuku for me. This was
the first time members from the Czech Republic took
part in an IOGKF event. After this event my group and
I brought IOGKF Karate into the Czech Republic.

Top Left: Sensei Higaonna and Sensei Patrick

Top Right: Sensei Higaonna with the IOGKF 20 years cake
FROM SENSEI LINDA MARCHANT:
Back to Sweden in 2000 and again the campus theme was repeated. Great training with Higaonna sensei
in the morning and group training with Bakkies Sensei. However, unfortunately my Gasshuku was cut
short literally by my Achilles snapping. Having checked out the Swedish hospital facilities (which were
great!), I got back and watched the remainder of the sessions!

FROM SENSEI PAOLO SPONGIA:

Many times following the end of the Gasshuku, and
what we affectionately started to call the detoxifica-
tion period, I have been asked to write something
about that week at the end of July, just a few simple
impressions, nothing too elaborate.
Nonetheless, I couldn’t help but notice, as the days
were flowing by and my mind showed no desire to
stop and crystallize moments in life, a certain difficul-
ty in writing; in putting down in black on white some-
thing that continued to escape me.
Higaonna Sensei inspires in me a sense of deep rev-
erence. He observes us, with a kind smile, a man
who possesses a deeper knowledge; who, unlike
me, perceives little fragmentation, knowing as he
does that he is part of a unity, something that he
himself has made. He is one of those who can count
for a very, very long time.
A symposium was held during the event with an in-
credible number of people attending. It was very,
very hot but and Sensei Beppe could be seen
moving around the auditorium trying to close the port
hole styles windows as we put our faith in the air
conditioning. I could paint the Gasshuku through
some numbers, just to give you an idea: about 310
people, hailing from 22 countries and 5 continents:
America and South America, Africa, Europe and
East Europe, Asia, New Zealand.
 FROM SENSEI GEORGE ANDREWS:
I was excited of the thought of seeing Higaonna Sensei
again and to train with all the Chief Instructors of the
western hemisphere. The training would continue for
the next 7 days. Every morning it was quite cool with a
mist, which made you think that you were in London,
judging by the weather! After the introductions we lined
up and it was time to train. Higaonna Sensei started the
training with Sanchin kata and explanations on breath-
ing and posture. It is such an inspiration to see the
Master create a sense of willingness and harmony
through moving meditation. After 2 hours, we were
joined by all the black belts, (I counted about 170) and
the training started with the words from Higaonna
Sensei “Are You Ready?”, then the traditional warm up
started. Within the next 3 hours some of the cobwebs
that people had acquired started to vanish and there
was a sense of fulfilment after the final command
“YAME”. Late morning was the turn of kyu grades, It
was just like a swarm of honey bees as they entered
the dojo, as by now there were 400 karate-ka!

FROM SENSEI GEORGE ANDREWS:

Another training camp with Higaonna Sensei, this time it
was in Hamburg, the location was quite busy due to the
100th anniversary of the world famous Harley Davison
bike ralley, where over 100,000 bikers displayed some of
the most amazing bikes I've ever seen.
Every morning would start with breakfast at 7am, then a
bus ride to the dojo where every day the chief instructors
of over 17 counties, would train for 2 hours. The remain-
der of the participants would join us for a further 3 hours
of training with Higaonna Sensei and his assistants. All
aspects of Goju-Ryu were covered, the emphasis being
on basics for the first hour, and some times longer. By
the look on some of the people's faces and the applause
that Sensei received I would say that they enjoyed and
understood what he portrayed.
After training we would return to the hostel, take a
shower and have a snooze then meet for dinner and talk
about the days training and have a laugh or two.
I would also take this opportunity, to thank Sensei Peter
Lembke and his staff for their hard work in making this
Gasshuku enjoyable.
FROM SENSEI GEORGE ANDREWS:
The first two days of training with the Master, was for Chief
Instructors and 4th Dans and above. Higaonna Sensei ex-
plained the importance of doing the Sanchin and Tensho Ka-
ta, with detailed explanation on technique and breathing, he
also spoke about his research trip to China, details of which
he shared with us. Then arriving from all parts of the globe, it
was the turn of all grades. A staggering 480 people lined up
to receive instructions from the Master, with a heat to match
their enthusiasm. The training began with the traditional warm
up with the Master, an introduction to what lay ahead, then
the class was split into groups to maximise the wealth of
knowledge that was available. The groups would rotate and
have a different instructor and theme on each occasion, the
feedback received would suggest complete satisfaction. After
5 hours of training it was great to be able to have a dip in the
swimming pool, and then to relax in the sun. As for after
training, we had excellent evening's with barbeques at our
villa entertaining Higaonna Sensei and his son, Bakkies
Sensei, Sensei Nunes and Nakamura Sensei.

FROM SENSEI GEORGE ANDREWS:

Boulazac was the town where 270 eager partici-
pants from 20 countries gathered to receive training
from the Higaonna Sensei who as always looked
completely relaxed and in excellent condition, an
inspiration to us all. Early each morning 4th to 8th
Dan would train in Sanchin and Tensho with the
Master who scrutinised the smallest detail, then it
was on to Suparimpei with detailed and precise im-
provement with many repetitions. Next it was the
turn of all grades where everyone did the IOGKF
warm up under the guidance of the Master, then 30
minutes of repetitive basics with an emphasis on
generating power. Then the classes were split into
groups to maximise the knowledge that was availa-
ble with many World and European Chief Instruc-
tors taking classes. The stadium was wonderful but
with temperatures reaching 38c everyone was per-
spiring profusely, an intake of 3 – 4 litres of water
was necessary during the 5 hours training every
day. In the evening we would meet for dinner, with
some of the other contingents from around the
world, exchanging stories of things that we
had experienced during the Gasshuku .
FROM SENSEI DAVID LAMBERT:
This was my first time to a European Gasshuku. I arrived a
few days early to train with Sensei Ernie and he was very
kind to me, taking me into his home and allowing me to train
at his Dojo. I met lots of my now dear Karate friends on this
Gasshuku and I love catching up with them every year at
different places around the world.
It was a great experience to see Higaonna Sensei and
Nakamura Sensei working together on the all grades
sessions. Nakamura Sensei would be translating as
Higaonna Sensei would be performing the techniques. I
appreciated how much that they were a real double act, as
in Australia and New Zealand Higaonna Sensei only came
alone a majority of the time. It was the first time I had really
seen them working together in the flesh. The training was
great and I was happy to be reunited with my great friend
Eric Higaonna after about 15 years apart. There were so
many great instructors on this event and the social aspects
were equally as great. The welcome party and the Sayonara
party were fantastic & who can forget the big hug between
Sensei Ernie and Higaonna Sensei at the end of the event!

IOGKF ARCHIVE REPORT:

This was the 25th European Gasshuku and was held in
Boson, Sweden, just a 25 minute drive from Stockholm.
The Gasshuku continued with varied training and inevitably
the massage parlour was very popular by the end of the
week! On Thursday afternoon there was a Black belt
grading. After the last training session on Friday,
participants were found sitting outside and enjoying some
drinks. A troubadour and a magician where moving around
entertaining the crowd. The magician created some puzzled
faces, especially Higaonna Morio Sensei and Sensei
Bakkies Laubscher who where quite fascinated by his tricks.
”Where did that rabbit come from?”
The European Gasshuku was quite big news in the Swedish
media, both television and the biggest newspapers in the
country were there to report on the event.
The big Sayonara party was hosted by two conférenciers
and the dinner was a buffet mediterranean style, keeping
everyone satisfied. The evening continued with a liveband
playing floor filling music. Then later during the night, some
brave souls did their best with our Karaoke Machine. The
2009 European Gasshuku was a great success!
IOGKF ARCHIVE REPORT:
20 different countries attended this event, and a
record European Gasshuku attendance was created
when over 850 people travelled to Denmark. Sensei
Henrik Larsen and European senior instructors taught
at this event, along with Higaonna Sensei, Terauchi
Sensei, Nakamura Sensei, Masuyama Sensei,
Yamashiro Sensei and Kuramoto Sensei. It was a
great achievement to bring so many Japanese
instructors together outside of Okinawa.
As you probably can imagine, having 850 people
training together can be quite a challenge - and even
the largest sports hall will quickly start to feel small.
Sensei Henrik started by pointing this out, but also
emphasized that we had to enjoy the moment - after
all, how often do you get the chance to stand together
with 850 people, punching, kicking and screaming
Kiai at the top of your lungs.
Training lasted between four to five hours each day
with all grades sessions and group sessions, rotating
around the various masters and senior IOGKF
Instructors.

IOGKF ARCHIVE REPORT:

23 different countries were represented at this event
and over 800 participants came to learn from Sensei
Higaonna from July 25-29, 2011.
There were five days of intense activity with the aim of
standardizing Goju-Ryu worldwide. The Karate-ka had
classes with the following teachers: Sensei Morio Hi-
gaonna, Sensei Bakkies Laubsher (South Africa),
Sensei George Andrews (England), Sensei Ernie
Molyneaux (England), Sensei Henrik Larsen
(Denmark), Sensei Jorge Monteiro (Portugal), Sensei
Yamashiro (Okinawa), Sensei Luis Nunes (Spain),
Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura (Canada) and Sensei Ma-
tsuyama (Sweden). Each Sensei rotated through the
various ranks and their instructions focused on Kata,
Kihon and Bunkai.
The Sayonara Party was held at the Quinta da Mal-
afaia – Esposende. Once again, the food, wine, music
and dance provided a relaxed atmosphere and a
pleasant evening to all. Some Portuguese students
prepare a tribute to Sensei Jorge Monteiro, chief in-
structor of Portugal, for recognition not only for organ-
izing this event in our country, but for his dedication to
a lifetime to traditional karate.
IOGKF ARCHIVE REPORT:
The European Gasshuku 2013 was hosted in Italy, in
the beautiful and picturesque city of Catania, Sicily. For
IOGKF Italy it has been an honor and a joy to be able
to organize this important event, under the guidance of
Paolo Taigō Spongia Sensei. Beppe Manzari Sensei
was the organizational director behind the Gasshuku.
This Gasshuku was also extremely well attended and
organized and many senior instructors were able to
take in the sites of the area before the event began.
Higaonna Sensei became unwell during the event, but
Nakamura Sensei and other IOGKF senior instructors
stood up and took charge during the Masters absence
with great success.
This was the second time IOGKF Italy hosted this
event, but certainly not the last time!

IOGKF ARCHIVE REPORT:

The 29th European Gasshuku was held in Stirling,
Scotland. The Gasshuku venue was Stirling University,
overlooked by the William Wallace (Braveheart) monu-
ment. Attendees and instructors stayed, ate and train-
ined in the one location, which helped in bringing every
one together.
In typical European Gasshuku style there were group
sessions and all grades sessions held each day and
over 400 people were there each day to train.
The Gasshuku was given the approval to be hosted in
Scotland in 2010 and was the last wish of Scotland
Chief Instructor, Sensei John Lambert, who passed
away the same year.
The Gasshuku was a great achievement for the SGKA
and for IOGKF with many countries represented from
all over Europe, North America, South America and
Oceania.
Every night after training there were Gasshuku theme
nights with trivia and Karaoke competitions and the
university bar was drank empty each night while every-
one socialised.
Higaonna Sensei and Nakamura Sensei were
presented with Loch Ness Monster souvenirs for their
time and effort in Stirling.
Dear friends,
As you know, this year in Spain we are celebrating the 30th IOGKF European Gasshuku.

Unfortunately, Sensei Higaonna will not be able to join us this year. It will be the first time since the
IOGKF was founded that he will not be sharing his great knowledge with all of us in person at the
European Gasshuku. Due to the fact that he is not coming, IOGKF Spain are working very hard to make
this a great event and with all your help we would like Sensei Higaonna to feel very proud of this great
IOGKF family and return him the kindness that he has always demonstrated us all. To express his grati-
tude to all his teaching and his continuous dedication to all this fine art, we would like to take the oppor-
tunity to make this event a tribute to Sensei Higaonna, that we hope to share with him as proof of how
grateful we are. We will do it the best way we know, by practicing Karate.

This Gasshuku will be very special as we are preparing many surprises for Sensei Higaonna who is not
going to be physically with us but we will try somehow to have him among us. Among other things, we
are going to try while we train to get in touch through video conference with Sensei Higaonna (if the
connections allow us), as we would like to show him how much we appreciate and need his knowledge
and advice. This will not be a sad event at all, as we are planning a great karate tribute and that is the
reason why we are asking you all for your participation to make Sensei feel recognized for his efforts
with his IOGKF family throughout all these years and encourage him to continue sharing his knowledge
with us.

During the days of the course we are going to record videos for Sensei in which all of us will participate.
These recordings will be about our training and will also have interviews of masters and pupils. We will
be able to send personal messages to Sensei Higaonna and wish him all the very best. There will be
group and individual personalized messages, display banners wishing for his recovery, kata demonstra-
tions and many other surprises, without forgetting to do the best thing we know: Karate. You cannot
miss it! We would like to make a nice film of all our personal messages for him, so he knows how much
we need and owe him.

There will be more surprises, some of them very enjoyable (impossible without your help). This is going
to be a very happy gathering as we want to get a smiling face from you all and especially make Sensei
Higaonna smile and feel proud of us. We will give you more information in relation to this great event as
you confirm your attendance. We will also appreciate and welcome any other ideas to make this great
event even better, so feel free to let us know.

We are waiting for you.

LUIS NUNES
CHIEF INSTRUCTOR—IOGKF SPAIN