SPRING GASSHUKU AMSTERDAM/ALMERE
WITH FRED QUANT SENSEI
My name is Frank Hoekzema, I practice Jodo since November 2006 at the dojo of Fred Quant,
and this year I was asked to write a short summary of this annual training weekend.
As in the previous years the unofficial start of the Gasshuku was on Friday evening with a
training session in our modest-sized dojo Shin-ShinBuKen in Amsterdam.
27 Jodoka's trained under the supervision of Fred in 2 alternating groups.
The first group practiced their technique while the other group was observing and vice-versa.
This way we were able to have a successful 3 hour training with a big group.
All our foreign jodoka's, 12 in-all, were already present this Friday.
Most of them have been here before so it was also a nice reunion.
I am very fortunate to be able to practice 2 times a week with Fred,
just a 15 minute drive from my home and I almost feel guilty that others have to save money
and get on a plane, bus or train for a long trip to Amsterdam, just to be able to train with my Sensei.
But at the same time it makes me feel proud.
The next day the group grew to 37 jodoka's. Fred Sensei was assisted in leading these 2
official days of the Gasshuku, by Kees Bruggink Sensei. For a few years now Kees and his group
participate in these Gasshuku's and always provide us with interesting additional information.
In order to be able to all work together, we trained in a big sports centre in Almere,
a half an hour drive from our dojo, as in previous years. Saturday from 10.00-17.00 hours,
ending with the successful exam for a few students, up to 2nd kyu. On Sunday from 09.00 - 13.00 hours.
During the weekend, as always with much time reserved for kihon, many students were still able
to learn the form of a new kata. This weekend the number of students in Omote and Chudan were
almost equal to those above Ra-nai, which, I think, is good for the continuation of passing on Jodo.
GO-JO (NIN-GI-REI-CHI-SHIN)
The Five Virtues
Our oldest member, known to all, Rob Stemmerik is besides a experienced jodoka also a gifted calligraphist.
For many of our Gasshuku's Rob has made beautiful calligraphies.
For this event he drew the signs of The Five Virtues.
Nin : Human warmth
Gi : Justice
Rei : Etiquette or polite behavior
Chi : Knowledge
Shin : Trust or confidence
When I started practicing Jodo I immediately noticed in our dojo and also in the different
Gasshuku I have participated in since, that throughout the groups a mutual feeling of almost
family like behavior was present. The 'elder taking care of the younger'. Respect for each other,
no matter what level. In and outside the dojo. No hesitation from the experienced jodoka's to assist
newcomers for extended periods, even though this means less time to work on their own level.
With this in mind I feel Rob chose an excellent subject for this Gasshuku.
My personal experience in training with jodoka's, other than out of my own school, is that I have both U-HU??
and A-HA!! moments. On my level (1st kyu) I still find that many techniques are much too rigid and 'styled'
almost to the students I normally train with. You just get to know a little how they attack and defend.
So it can happen that techniques I try with others just 'will not work properly'.....U-HU?? After much trying,
searching and sometimes ample explaining by fellow students and/or teachers it can however become A-HA!!
If this happens only once, it is already a successful Gasshuku. I am glad to say I had a few this weekend.
As always the organization of this weekend was in the experienced hands of Jeffrey Schwerzel and
Shanti Tuinstra. This meant that breakfast and enough refreshments were present for those spending
the night in the dojo and good lunches in the sports centre. For Saturday evening they organized an
all-you-can-eat sushi diner in down-town Almere. The discipline I tried to have during training was
soon gone! Within a short while I was stuffed and not able to taste more good food.
Sunday after lunch it was all over again for this year and everybody left, I am sure,
with a satisfied feeling of a successful Gasshuku. Thanks to Fred and Kees, but also thanks to each other.
Till the next Gasshuku, where ever that may be.
Frank Hoekzema
See the slideshow for an impression of the Gasshuku May 2011
