20 years Bujinkan Macedonia (2nd July 2995 – 2nd July 2015)

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With a great karaoke party on the day before yesterday we marked the 20 year anniversary of the foundation of Bujinkan Macedonia. The event was set up in the winery „Kartal“ in Skopje where more than forty members of the dojo attended.

The students of the instructor Dovezenski, different generations gathered on one place from, had the opportunity to share their memories and impressions from the past and present times spent in Bujinkan Macedonia. Many friendships, relationships, partnerships, even marriages were „born“ during these years spent training in the only traditional Japanese dojo in Macedonia, and most of the members of the dojo are still grateful for that.

As you may already know, Bujinkan Macedonia was founded on 2nd July 1995 by Igor Dovezenski, the only Macedonian citizen that carries several titles in different classical martial schools (ryu-ha). From the foundation, up until today, the organization works non-stop and holds training sessions for its members every day. For now, it is the only acknowledged dojo in our country by the chief of Bujinkan, soke Masaaki Hatsumi. Bujinkan Macedonia is still known as one of the most dynamic clubs in Europe, with numerous and active memberships, that further speaks for the quality of the knowledge that is transmitted in the dojo.
At the end of the party, the founder Dovezenski thanked all members and guests that participated on the jubilee gathering, who came to show their gratitude for the hard work that created a respected world class dojo called Bujinkan Macedonia, well-known and acknowledged by the best international organizations for Japanese martial arts.

The International Katori Shinto ryu seminar under the leadership of Erik Louw held

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The Dojo for classical Japanese martial arts – Katori Shinto ryu Macedonia, which is part of the Organization „Taiyou e no Michi“, the past weekend organized a seminar for Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu Bujutsu. Among the participants from Macedonia, kobudokas from Holland and Romania traveled specially for this event too, and with that the seminar acquired an international character. 
Our teacher for the oldest documented Japanese martial art, Erik Louw, was accompanied by his three students from Amsterdam, and was a lecturer at this seminar. On Friday they organized a special training for the leader of Katori Shinto ryu Macedonia, Igor Dovezenski, who, in return, had the opportunity to train with each one of them. The next day, on the official day of the seminar, the other participants joined, and among them were our friends from Romania that organized a seminar not long ago, where Dovezenski taught the basics of handling a Japanese sword.
During the seven day stay in Macedonia, sensei Erik, together with the other participants, had the time to get to know several cultural and historical monuments, and also enjoy the beauties of our wonderful land, which, as they say, they are left breathless with every recurring visit.

Ninja Kids in the Hombu Dojo of Bujinkan Macedonia

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The instructors of Bujinkan Macedonia to the section „Ninja Kids“, in collaboration with the main instructor of the Organization dedicated to the
study of classical Japanese martial arts „Taiyou e no Michi“, are
organizing a one-day excursion with a training in the Hombu Dojo of
Bujinkan Macedonia, located in the valley under the mountain of Lipac
(62 km. from Skopje).
Date: 16th of May (Saturday)

Program:
– 08:00 departure from Skopje
– 09:00 arrival
– 10:00 – 12:00 training in the Hombu Dojo
– 12:00 – 12:30 lunch
– 13:00 – 14:00 visiting a village household on a farm
– 14:00 – 15:00 training with a sword (with rubber)
– 15:00 – 16:00 walk alongside a river
– 17:00 return

The children need to carry training equipment, a spare t-shirt, water (for the road), snacks or a banana for a snack, and the lunch will be prepared from the people that are responsible for the Hombu Dojo. During the excursion, the children will be accompanied at all times from two instructors (Taki Gakovski and Monika Shapkov).
For additional information, contact instructor Taki Gakovski (tel.071 358 226).

Yumi Ya Jutsu seminar held

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Another successful outdoor seminar, this time on subject Yumi Ya Jutsu (the art of handling a bow and arrow). Five members of Bujinkan Macedonia participated at this event, who learned the basic ways to shoot with this weapon. Before the beginning of the seminar, details about the making process of the bow and arrow were shown to the participants, so they could make their own in the future if they find themselves out in nature equipped solely with a knife.
At the end of this seminar, the participants had the opportunity to shoot with a crossbow, and were easily convinced of its power and precision. 
At the next bow and arrow seminar, we are going to practice shooting with a Japanese Hankyu, so we are going to get another perspective on this ancient, but still useful weapon.

Yumi Ya (Bow and Arrow) – an outdoor seminar

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Handling a bow and arrow was a mandatory skill that a Japanese warrior had to master, and was one of the most important skills up until the appearance of firearms. In contrast to the samurai bow, that was known for its size and the perfect workmanship, shinobi warriors used their own version of this weapon that was easy to make and with much smaller dimensions too.
On 26.04.2015 (Sunday), instructor Igor Dovezenski, after a several year break, will teach again a seminar with subject: Yumi Ya Jutsu (the art of shooting with a bow and an arrow).
During this event, the participants will have the opportunity to learn how to make a bow and arrow by themselves, and how to shoot it. Despite that, shidoshi Igor Dovezenski will give a short lesson on how to shoot with a crossbow, so the members of Bujinkan Macedonia will also have the opportunity to get to know this weapon.
The seminar is intended for the members of the Organization Taiyou e no Michi only.
Date: 26.04.2015
Location: Mlaka / Marenkovac
Program:
08.00 o’clock – departure from Skopje
09.00 o’clock – arrival
10.00 – 17.30 o’clock – theory and practice
18.30 – return
P.S. The day before, a fukia training will be held in the Hombu Dojo. If you need additional information, contact us freely by our e-mail.

Lecture and ninjutsu demonstration in the kindergarden „Srnichka Bambi“

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The members of Bujinkan Macedonia, sempai Todor Angelovski and kohai Martin Gachevski, on the invitation of the pedagogue Snezhana Todorovska, held a lecture and a demonstration for ninjutsu today, meant for the children of the kindergarten „Srnichka Bambi“ in the municipality of Aerodrom.
Firstly, the youngest had a lecture about the origin and the role of the ninja and samurai in feudal Japan, and afterwards were demonstrated some basic techniques of combat, with and without use of weapons. At the end, the children had the opportunity to ask questions, and to have a closer look of the equipment meant for training.
Additionally, the Dojo for classical Japanese martial arts „Bujinkan Macedonia“ is always on disposal for all interested institutions that want to learn more about the martial arts that come from the Land of The Rising Sun. 

„The Strenght of Yari“ seminar held

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We had a really intensive weekend, with great company and training. Although the weather conditions weren’t so kind on us, that didn’t change our minds to do what we enjoy most.
The traditional Japanese martial arts training began on the Saturday morning, with the study and the repeat of already learned techniques for throwing shuriken. The next day, we had the training spear combat began, known as „The Strenght of Yari“, an event that continuously attracts many members of Bujinkan Macedonia.
The impressions of shidoshi ho Marko Opachikj would give you an idea about how we spent our time there:
– One more in the array of the unforgettable weekend seminars in the Hombu Dojo. The presence itself in such a „temple“, makes You feel separated from all of the problems that you are facing back home, to become one with the surroundings and to calm your mind and body.
The Saturday wasn’t really „fit“ for a training due to the bad weather conditions, but that was an additional test for our stamina, patience, and wittiness. In my opinion those that had their second or third throw of shuriken showed a slight improvement. Sensei transmitted us the whole densho with care, and I was looking forward to the throw where you do a kaiten at the same time.
Wonderful!!!

The evening, as always, was reserved for a discussion with Sensei by the fireplace in Hombu. While he was telling us his experiences of his martial lifestyle, he was stamping the densho that he gave to me, to Zoki, and to Moni. And on an „old Japanese way“, that I saw for the first time in my life. Afterwards, we spread open the makimono of Gyokko ryu (with its length of 30 meters). Inside it contained all postures, kata, and levels. That was a day that you could see, hear, and learn many things. The next day the „madness arrived“. Spear! The weapon that I adore and gave the most effort to of the all outdoor seminars. It is difficult to handle and it requires a lot of trainig and sweat to get the hang of it. The densho for Yari, of all the densho I got from Sensei, carries the biggest meaning for me.
Regarding the Sojutsu training, this year the students had a really good practice and tried their best to overcome the material. They were greatly motivated, nobody gave up, and they definitely liked it, which was showing on their faces. I am happy that there are students that are still coming to the outdoor seminars during the weekends. I would like to mention sempai Zoki, who was correcting the younger every time they made mistakes and weren’t trying enough.

The Strenght of Yari VI

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The sixth in a row traditional seminar for Sojutsu (combat with a spear), this year is happening on 29th of March (2015). During this event, the members of Bujinkan Macedonia learn and master the secrets of combat with Yari (spear).
As every year, the instructor Igor Dovezenski teaches new techniques, and new ways and strategies to use this weapon more efficiently.
„The school Shinden Fudo ryu Dakentaijutsu uses the following weapons: Yari (spear), Ono (war axe), O Tsuchi (a big hammer), Tachi (sword) and Naginata. The legends says that one night a demon (Tengu) showed on a dream of the founder of the art and taught him how to fight with Yari. These techniques are considered even today to be the greatest secret of the school.“
All interested students of the dojo Bujinkan Macedonia / Taiyou e no Michi can participate, regardless of their experience or degree.
Required equipment for training: bokuto and yari (hakama for the yudansha)
Subject: The Strenght of Yari
Date: 29.03.2015 (Sunday)
Location: Slepo Kolo
Program:
08.00 o’clock – departure from Skopje
09.00 o’clock – arrival
10.00 – 16.00 o’clock – theory and practice
17.00 o’clock – return
The day before (Saturday), we are having a training in the Hombu Dojo of „Taiyou e no Michi“ for all interested with the subject: shuriken jutsu.
Applying and information in inbox, by phone or on the Forum.

Seminar in Romania with Igor Dovezenski held

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The past weekend, the instructor Igor Dovezenski held a seminar in the city Iasi – Romania. The event had been organized by Catalin Soreanu, the leader of „Bujinkan Shingan Dojo“. This seminar counted around thirty participants from several Romanian cities, practitioners of various martial arts, as well as one participant from our country that traveled to Iasi specially for this event.

During the first session on Saturday, instructor Dovezenski explained the basic postures of the body, accompanied by the basic strikes and blocks with a sword. The second session was dedicated to iai jutsu, followed by the basic forms of kenjutsu.
During the second day, the training began with battojutsu, and afterwards the whole material that was taught during the seminar was repeated again.
What was really impressive for shidoshi Dovezenski, was the great improvement of Catalin Soreanu, acquired during his last visit in Macedonia, up until today. It wasn’t possible not to notice the love and effort Soreanu invested, and with that the results were evident. The same can be said for the remaining students, for their desire to go deeper into the secrets of traditional Japanese swordsmanship. Many of them, after the end of the seminar, expressed their wish for another seminar and a desire to learn more of kenjutsu.
At the end, instructor Igor Dovezenski is thankfull for the opportunity to teach, as well for the great organization by the hosts. The hospitality of Catalin left him speechless, and we would also like to thank his students Marius, Niku, Romeo and Nadia for the kindness and the help around the organization of the seminar.

Seminar „Haragei II“ held

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Yesterday, at the top of the hill Elenac, the members of Bujinkan Macedonia held the second in a row seminar dedicated to the techniques for Haragei, in other words feeling the changes that are happening around us. The blows of the cold wind didn’t present a hurdle, not even for a moment, so we could go deeper and in greater detail in the secrets of meditation and self-discovery.
Instead of a report, we will transfer the feelings of the participants the were shared on our Forum, right after the end of the seminar.
Marko O.– „I couldn’t even possibly describe the feeling that I got from the smell of the plants at Elenac, from the air that comes from the untouched nature of Lipac, from our sweat that drips down, earned by climbing upwards on „all four legs“. The wind that dries the skin and the sun that awakens your energy. The people with their presence that make you feel good and happy. Haragei is a special story. The techniques need to be practiced every day and along with the physical training, because what Sensei told, taught and explained us today, is a school of life. We learned how to breath, how to be healthy. We encountered four new exercises that require many hours of training. In my opinion we were all impressed by today’s seminar, and this will „satiate“ us with days, even weeks. One climb on Lipac is a quality therapy for your mind and body. Imagine all of us in 10-15 years, gathered again at the same place, but with children in our arms, to whom we’ll tell about the wonderful days spent with the teachings of Sensei.”

Vladimir A. – „Briefly, I will just conclude that I understood much more now when we repeated the exercises for the second time, than I didthe first time.“

Todor A. – „I don’t know where to start. Although the weather didn’t serve us as we hoped it would, I think we could say that the seminar was more than successful. Starting from the climb to Elenac, that fills you more with energy than it drains you, all to the descend to Elenachki Kladenac. Including moving through the darkness, followed by various discussions. As for the training, I must confess that I cannot understand all of the techniques, and apply them right away. But those that I can, I practiced with greater attention and deeper understanding, which differed from the last year. I noticed that the concentration was greater from the participants that came for the second time, excluding Sanja, because these techniques „came naturally” to her. I expect the third time to be even better, but only if we practice the exercises at home, as sensei’s mentioned. At the end, a word for the food during the break. I was fasting, but my food was more delicious than any other because I had it in your company”.