This weekend in the capitol of Macedonia, there was a seminar for Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu and Ono ha Itto Ryu Kenjutsu (Takeda Den) teached by the only non-Japanese shihan of these two traditional Japanese schools, Antonino Certa from Italy.
The seminar was organized by the the branch of the European organization Daito Kai in Macedonia, `Koryu Dojo` which together with the dojo `Bujinkan Macedonia` forms the only organization that teaches classical Japanese martial schools in our country – Taiyou e no Michi.
In agreement with sensei Certa, we decided this event to be closed to the public and it can be attended only by members of our organization and the one we plan on doing next year will be open to anyone that wills to learn more of these arts.
Sensei Certa arrived in Macedonia as early as Thursday morning, and immediately began training with his personal student and representative for Macedonia, Igor Dovezenski. The next day, their training sessions continued at the summit of mount Lipac, nearby the place where the Hombu dojo of Taiyou e no Michi is currently built. On Saturday, we began with the official part of the seminar, on which we
studied different techniques from the levels Ikkajo, Nikkajo and Sankkajo from the Hiden Mokuroku, while the afternoon hours were dedicated to suburi, kihon and kata from Ono ha Itto Ryu Kenjutsu.
That same schedule was followed during the Sunday, when the official part of the seminar was over.
During the five days of sensei Certa`s stay in Macedonia, he had the chance to get acquainted to the Macedonian culture and tradition, which we can freely say left him speechless. He also visited a few Macedonian villages and cities, where he enjoyed the traditional Macedonian kitchen, and even more enjoyable were his visits of our beautiful shrines and hole places.
About the quality of sensei Certa`s teachings, there isn`t really anything to say. As usual, at the highest level, supported by his selfless effort to transmit as much as he can from these two traditional Japanese schools.