Overview
March 2008
March has so far given Katsujinken its' first 'home bred' Shodan, when Matt Smitt was awarded his 'black belt' at the BKA Spring seminar at Watchet. This was followed today (15/3/2008) with John Golsby receiving his coaching award from the BKA.
February 6th, 2008
The new dojo was 'officially' opened with a visit from Hopson sensei, accompanied by Jim Jones (Jim Mu Kan dojo). A two hour Jodo session was enjoyed by all of the participants. Three dojo from the region were represented, Katsujinken (Solihull), Myoken Phoenix (Coventry) and Ren Shin Kan (Cradley Heath/Dudley)
November 11th, 2007
Matt Smith became the first student of Katsujinken Dojo to be awarded a BKA grade, (Ikkyu) after his success at the Darlingto Seminar. Up to this point other graded members had been trained in other dojo, mainly Masamune Dojo.
September 26th, 2007
Alan Nash has accepted an invitation to lead regular 2 hour jodo sessions once a month. The aim is to establish a stronger Jodo presence in the West Midland region. These sessiona are open to all BKA members in the region, ansd anyone else wishing to learn this staff art.
June 27th, 2007
Wednesday June 27th, 2007, saw the Katsujinken 1st Anniversary evening, which was attended by 23 Iaidoka and Kendoka.
Two representatives from the UK Aikikai, Peter Brady (6th Dan) and Cliff Price (5th Dan) demonstrated and taught aiki ken, and kata from Shindo Munen Ryu to the otherwise BKA audience. This was followed by 5th Dan Kendo Malcolm Goodwin and 3rd Dan Sean Starr demonstrating and teaching some basic kendo to the eager iaidoka. One of the iaidoka from Heijoshin, Mike Molloy, is also a kendo 5th Dan, and helped out in the demos.Finally, Scott Halls from Heijoshin Dojo taught and demonstrated some Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu kenjutsu, with assistance from Kieron Kennedy and Sam Oram.
While all this was going on the oportunity to try tameshigiri was taken by most of the participants.
A great time was had by all, and my greatfull thanks are due to the guest instructors who made a great evening for us all. Thanks also to the participants from Masamune Dojo, Birmingham, and Heijoshin Dojo Walsall.
Jerry Conaughton, the first person to join the dojo on opening night last year recieved iaidoka statue to mark his commitment, and the guest senseis all recieved a silver platter (a Katsu) to mark the evening.
June 28th, 2006.
Katsujinken Dojo held its opening night on Wednesday, 28th June, 2006. As well as the founder, Patrick Breheny (sandan), several members of Masamune Dojo, Birmingham, turned up to support the opening. This included Graham Turner (sandan), John Goldsby (nidan), Stewart Farmer (shodan) and Adam Hogetts (Shodan). The night went well, with the prospective students being given an overview of the training that would be available in the dojo. The night was rounded off with warm saki (drunk in the sports centre car park) toasting the opening of the new dojo.
The purpose of the new dojo was to offer an opportunity for prospective students in the Solihull and surrounding areas to train in the arts of Iaido, Jodo and Kenjutsu. Now we have students coming from as far afield as Worcester and Wolverhampton.
