The 2001 Annual International MKKU Gasshuku
was held in Okinawa from May 24 through June 2. This year the MKKU team headed
by Sanguinetti Sensei had not only the opportunity to practice Kobudo, but
also to practice Karate in Okinawan Dojos. The Kobudo training was directed
by Gakiya Sensei with the assistance of Yogi Sensei at the amazing Budokan
hall and at our Honbu Dojo the Legendary Kodokan. In Karate, the first visit
was to the Shorin Ryu Dojo of Makishi Sensei (8th Dan). The second visit was
to the Seibukan Dojo of Itokazu Seisho Sensei (8th Dan) to train in Kounan
Ryu, a branch of Uechi Ryu. The third Karate training was at Irei Sensei Dojo.
He is an Okinawan Kempo practitioner.
One of the highlights of the trip and the training sessions was the sight
seeing-training trip to the Sosoko Island. Gakiya Sensei scheduled a training
in the beautiful white sand, blue water little paradise an hour away from
Naha. We drove enjoying the scenery, we camped in the forest, we trained on
the white soft sand, and then we enjoyed our own Okinawan barbeque. This unbelievable
day ended by getting caught in the rain in our way home.
