Oss everyone!
This past weekend we had the privilege of attending the Western Cape Gasshuku at the Okkie Jooste facility in Stellenbosch. What a weekend it was! The Gasshuku made a comeback after it did not happen for many years (feel free to blame Covid), and it was a great experience for young and old.

“Gasshuku” is a Japanese term, loosely meaning “to stay and train together”. However, it is not only about sleeping and training, but also about strengthening bonds of friendship and camaraderie. It is especially exciting for the younger karate-ka who get the chance to meet new friends from different dojos. Hopefully many of these friendships will go on to last a lifetime, as it has done for many of the more experienced karate-ka in the group. It is an old Japanese martial arts tradition dating back many years, and normally practiced outside or in natural surroundings.

The students had a chance to train with and learn from some of the top instructors in the Western Cape. The trainings started on Friday evening, the whole of Saturday and ended on Sunday morning with the traditional “Black Belt Club” training to cap off the weekend. All the trainings were “flat out”, so everyone went home tired, but with full hearts and excitement for the next Gasshuku!
If you would like to hear more about Japanese Karate traditions such as the Gasshuku, feel free to join us at Winelands JKA Karate in Durbanville for a free class, or even just to watch a training session.

OSS!
Sensei Heinrich