Month: January 2016

Winter Ninja Training – Means for Survival in the Wilderness VI held

Author koryuPosted on Categories Uncategorized

The past weekend we held our first seminar in the new 2016. The participants shared their impressions on our Forum after the end of the event, and with that wrote this Report.

„Each of our ‘koryu adventures’ has its story. Firstly, I would like to say I’m really happy to continue this seminar’s tradition with a fair number of participants, always more than ten. I’m especially glad that the beginners started to show interest too. Kosarche participated the event too, who started following the Path and with the help of Taki’s lessons found her way easily in the group.
Although some of the things we study are repeated every time, every year we need to be reminded of the lessons so we could better our techniques. This time Sensei presented the task of building the shelter to me. After I gathered everybody and explained what they were needed to do, we started working. Even though I thing we did a good job with the hut, I have two remarks. We were too loud while laughing and talking, and secondly, we were too slow building the shelter.
I would like to mention the new things we studied: how to prepare fried eggs, how to roast a pumpkin in the ground, different ways to keep the fireplace burning, how to make a door for the shelter to be protected from animals, how to keep our equipment dry from snow and rain, as well as other things Sensei mentioned during his lecture.“ (Marko Opachikj)
„We drank directly from the source and learned useful ‘tricks’ on how to survive in winter conditions. We did that directly instead of watching all kinds of videos on the internet 🙂
I have watched a thousand times on TV how to build a shelter to spend the night, but everything goes in vain until a man really sees how it’s done. I was glad that we were gathered on one place and I can’t wait the summer version of this seminar. Who knew that lilies could be so soft and comfortable, and the ‘snake salty snacks’ could be so delicious!“ (Martin Petrevski)
„When I was little I really wanted to run around in the woods and build shelters. That’s why I find this seminar, along with the „Life in The Wilderness“, to be great. And that’s why I say that Bujinkan Macedonia makes my childhood dreams a reality.“ (Taki Gakovski)
„Understanding, warmth, love and laughter was spreading through the air during the whole event. I must mention the most delicious salty snacks roasted on a wooden stick that Sensei made, as well as the super vitamin roasted pumpkin. Unfortunately the day ended and we had to return home. I await the next outdoor seminar impatiently. Thank You for everything Sensei!“ (Tamara Gjorgievska)

„I’ve eaten two hundred pumpkins, and from various sources I’ve heard that I am a big one too, but so far not one stayed in my mind that long as that one dug from the ground. Maybe because of the constant thought that I will be eaten by wolves, but this was a day to be remembered. I didn’t doubt Sensei’s experience and knowledge for a bit, neither the elder students from the dojo that are well trained for these kinds of seminars. I only doubted my ability to learn something, or that I would be something more that a big crutch for the others. Sensei proved that his purpose is not ‘archiving’ the knowledge for his own good, but putting it to our disposal, as long as we are willing to learn.“ (Damjan Serafimovski)
„During this seminar I learned a lot of things, I especially liked the socializing with the older members of the dojo. I was really impressed of the preparation of the egg in a can, as well as the roasting of the pumpkin dug in the ground. It was great to be part of this kind of an event.“ (Kosara Dovezenska)

Winter Ninja Training - Means for Survival in the Wilderness VI held

Author koryuPosted on Categories Home

The past weekend we held our first seminar in the new 2016. The participants shared their impressions on our Forum after the end of the event, and with that wrote this Report.

„Each of our ‘koryu adventures’ has its story. Firstly, I would like to say I’m really happy to continue this seminar’s tradition with a fair number of participants, always more than ten. I’m especially glad that the beginners started to show interest too. Kosarche participated the event too, who started following the Path and with the help of Taki’s lessons found her way easily in the group.
Although some of the things we study are repeated every time, every year we need to be reminded of the lessons so we could better our techniques. This time Sensei presented the task of building the shelter to me. After I gathered everybody and explained what they were needed to do, we started working. Even though I thing we did a good job with the hut, I have two remarks. We were too loud while laughing and talking, and secondly, we were too slow building the shelter.
I would like to mention the new things we studied: how to prepare fried eggs, how to roast a pumpkin in the ground, different ways to keep the fireplace burning, how to make a door for the shelter to be protected from animals, how to keep our equipment dry from snow and rain, as well as other things Sensei mentioned during his lecture.“ (Marko Opachikj)
„We drank directly from the source and learned useful ‘tricks’ on how to survive in winter conditions. We did that directly instead of watching all kinds of videos on the internet 🙂
I have watched a thousand times on TV how to build a shelter to spend the night, but everything goes in vain until a man really sees how it’s done. I was glad that we were gathered on one place and I can’t wait the summer version of this seminar. Who knew that lilies could be so soft and comfortable, and the ‘snake salty snacks’ could be so delicious!“ (Martin Petrevski)
„When I was little I really wanted to run around in the woods and build shelters. That’s why I find this seminar, along with the „Life in The Wilderness“, to be great. And that’s why I say that Bujinkan Macedonia makes my childhood dreams a reality.“ (Taki Gakovski)
„Understanding, warmth, love and laughter was spreading through the air during the whole event. I must mention the most delicious salty snacks roasted on a wooden stick that Sensei made, as well as the super vitamin roasted pumpkin. Unfortunately the day ended and we had to return home. I await the next outdoor seminar impatiently. Thank You for everything Sensei!“ (Tamara Gjorgievska)

„I’ve eaten two hundred pumpkins, and from various sources I’ve heard that I am a big one too, but so far not one stayed in my mind that long as that one dug from the ground. Maybe because of the constant thought that I will be eaten by wolves, but this was a day to be remembered. I didn’t doubt Sensei’s experience and knowledge for a bit, neither the elder students from the dojo that are well trained for these kinds of seminars. I only doubted my ability to learn something, or that I would be something more that a big crutch for the others. Sensei proved that his purpose is not ‘archiving’ the knowledge for his own good, but putting it to our disposal, as long as we are willing to learn.“ (Damjan Serafimovski)
„During this seminar I learned a lot of things, I especially liked the socializing with the older members of the dojo. I was really impressed of the preparation of the egg in a can, as well as the roasting of the pumpkin dug in the ground. It was great to be part of this kind of an event.“ (Kosara Dovezenska)

Winter Ninja Training – Means for Survival in the Wilderness VI

Author koryuPosted on Categories Uncategorized
In 2015 the members of Bujinkan Macedonia passed through many adventures that made the year unforgettable. The amazing journey continues in 2016, and the first destination is Mlaka. This forest on the bank of the river Kriva Reka will again be the place where our warriors will learn and better the techniques of winter survival. The snow that has piled up these recent days, along with the low temperatures, is a great challenge for an event like this.

As you already know, the warriors of Bujinkan Macedonia always considered that training solely in dojo,where a safe and friendly atmosphere surrounds us, can make anybody a good „sportsperson“, and a great „lounge ninja“. However, what makes us different from the rest, is the knowledge and the confidence that we feel when we are confronted with the toughest dares while we are far away from the cities that we live in. Actually, we experience the cruel nature as a natural habitat where we feel as a „fish in water“, and we find ourselves in our natural surroundings.

This seminar is a scenario-based where we are snowbound or lost far away from our home, somewhere on a mountains or in the woods, and we need to take precautions to be able to go through the night and increase our chances of survival. On this event, shidoshi Igor Dovezenski is going to teach these exact techniques that represent the required arsenal for a more serious approach in the art known as ninjutsu. 
Required equipment: those we attended already know, those who hadn’t are going to find out directly for the next year.
Warning: the temperatures will most likely be below zero. The terrain is open and windy. The presence of wild animals is normal this period in the year. You will be exposed to extremely cold weather constantly for about seven hours. Everyone comes at their own responsibility.
Bring warm clothing with you.
Date: 10.01.2016 (Sunday)
Location: Mlaka
Program:
08.00 o’clock – departure from Skopje
09.00 o’clock – arrival
09.30 – 16.30 o’clock – theory and practice
17.30 o’clock – return
This year besides the members of Bujinkan Macedonia/Taiyou e no Michi, the seminar is open for all interested. Questions and applying by e-mail, phone, in the dojo, or on the Forum.

Report for 2015

Author koryuPosted on Categories Uncategorized
When we thought that the last year’s success with 19 held seminars wouldn’t be repeated, this year we literally surpassed all our expectations. Ladies and gentlemen – 29 seminars in 2015!!!
Let’s break this number down so you could see transparently exactly what we worked on this whole year.

We begin with the international seminars organized by the Organization „Taiyou e no Michi“.
In April, our teacher for Daito ryu Aikijujutsu, shihan Antonino Certa held his regular seminar in our dojo, where he transmitted new „secrets“ of this ancient samurai tradition. The next month Sensei Erik Louw arrived in the Hombu Dojo of „Taiyou e no Michi“, together with his students from the Netherlands. During his one week stay he tried to pass along as much as he could from his rich experience in Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu Bujutsu. Our friends from Romania, the members of the Shingan Dojo from Iasi, arrived for this seminar too.
During the summer we had our well-known Summer Camp, this time beside the instructor Dovezenski, his friend from Russia – Sergei Babkin had the role of a teacher too. Despite being an instructor for Katori Shinto ryu and for Yoga, Babkin is a representative in his country for the classical Japanese martial art Kukamishin ryu Hyoho too. We had the opportunity to study that art during this event. 

Regarding the seminars that instructor Dovezenski had taught, the list goes like this: six held outdoor seminars (in nature), eight in the Hombu Dojo under Lipac, same in the dojo in Skopje, as well as two in Romania in the dojo „Shingan“ in the city Iasi. Additionally, in 2015 Dovezenski took part in several international seminars under the leadership of well-known teachers for classical Japanese martial arts. We would mention them chronologically: in February in Athens (Greece) on a seminar for Katori Shinto ryu with Erik Louw; in June in Gradara (Italy) on a seminar for Ono ha Itto ryu Kenjutsu with Sasamori Takemi Soke; in September in Carigrad/Istanbul on a seminar with the shihan for Katori Shinto ryu – Nobutoshi Otake. On the last event Marko Opachikj and Darko Bozhinovski (who gave a blood oat (keppan)) accompanied Dovezenski. 

We would also like to express our pleasure for the established collaboration with the „Shingan Dojo“ from the city Iasi in Romania. Their leader Catalin Soreanu chose instructor Dovezenski as a sempai (an older student – mentor) who is going to help him with the study of the oldest traditional Japanese martial art Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu Bujutsu, under the leadership of their mentor Erik Louw. That being said, the members of the Romanian section visited Macedonia twice this year to learn the basics of the school, and in addition they invited Dovezenski two times to teach seminars in their dojo.
Besides the previous, it is worth mentioning these events too: sempai Todor Angelovski and kohai Martin Gachevski held a lecture for the kids in the kindergarten „Srnichka bambi“ in the municipality Aerodrom; we have opened another ninjutsu children’s section (Ninja Kids II); we have celebrated 20 years of the foundation of „Taiyou e no Michi“ and Bujinkan Macedonia; our youngest members from the kids group were guests at the Macedonian National Television where they successfully demonstrated the arts of Bujinkan, and later they visited our Hombu Dojo where they studied the school Koto ryu Koppojutsu, as well as the basics of Japanese sword-fighting; Igor Dovezenski earned second dan (nidan), and Marko Opachikj first dan (shodan) in Daito ryu Aikijujutsu.
We would like to highlight the founding of the „Eastern Cultures Laboratory“ as one of the most important events. On 14th of September with a proposition from Igor Dovezenski, the Expert Council of the Institute of ethnology and anthropology from the University „Ss. Cyril and Methodius“ decided to greenlight the Laboratory, with the sole purpose of studying the physical, social and spiritual culture of the nations of the far east, with a special emphasis on Japan. 

Various Workshops and Seminars on different subject are organized in the Laboratory, and the lecturer Dovezenski holds classes on a daily basis for Daito ryu Aikijujutsu and for Junan Taiso (exercises to stretch and balance the muscles of the body). With that, the classical Japanese martial arts rose to academical level in Macedonia and finally took their deserved place.
At the end we would like to thank all members of the Organization „Taiyou e no Michi“, especially our students from Bujinkan Macedonia who with their hard work took us to the wonderful journey around the world of the traditional Japanese martial traditions (Koryu Bujutsu). We cannot make a promise that the next year will surpass this one, but we can guarantee that as long as we breathe this air, our love for the classical arts inherited from the generations before us won’t be diminished.
Taiyou e no Michi. One dojo – one family. Bujinkan Macedonia. My story – my life.
Ninpo Ikkan!!!

Winter Ninja Training - Means for Survival in the Wilderness VI

Author koryuPosted on Categories Home
In 2015 the members of Bujinkan Macedonia passed through many adventures that made the year unforgettable. The amazing journey continues in 2016, and the first destination is Mlaka. This forest on the bank of the river Kriva Reka will again be the place where our warriors will learn and better the techniques of winter survival. The snow that has piled up these recent days, along with the low temperatures, is a great challenge for an event like this.

As you already know, the warriors of Bujinkan Macedonia always considered that training solely in dojo,where a safe and friendly atmosphere surrounds us, can make anybody a good „sportsperson“, and a great „lounge ninja“. However, what makes us different from the rest, is the knowledge and the confidence that we feel when we are confronted with the toughest dares while we are far away from the cities that we live in. Actually, we experience the cruel nature as a natural habitat where we feel as a „fish in water“, and we find ourselves in our natural surroundings.

This seminar is a scenario-based where we are snowbound or lost far away from our home, somewhere on a mountains or in the woods, and we need to take precautions to be able to go through the night and increase our chances of survival. On this event, shidoshi Igor Dovezenski is going to teach these exact techniques that represent the required arsenal for a more serious approach in the art known as ninjutsu. 
Required equipment: those we attended already know, those who hadn’t are going to find out directly for the next year.
Warning: the temperatures will most likely be below zero. The terrain is open and windy. The presence of wild animals is normal this period in the year. You will be exposed to extremely cold weather constantly for about seven hours. Everyone comes at their own responsibility.
Bring warm clothing with you.
Date: 10.01.2016 (Sunday)
Location: Mlaka
Program:
08.00 o’clock – departure from Skopje
09.00 o’clock – arrival
09.30 – 16.30 o’clock – theory and practice
17.30 o’clock – return
This year besides the members of Bujinkan Macedonia/Taiyou e no Michi, the seminar is open for all interested. Questions and applying by e-mail, phone, in the dojo, or on the Forum.

Last Hanbo Goshinjutsu seminar for 2015 held

Author koryuPosted on Categories Uncategorized

With the yesterdays seminar on subject Hanbo Goshijutsu (self-defense using a short stick), we’ve almost finished our responsibilities from this years program of Bujinkan Macedonia.

Two regular training sessions remain, as well as the kyu testing that is happening on Wednesday (30th December).
This time for this seminar we are going to share the impressions of kohai Sanja Simonova written on our Forum:
„On my pleasure, we finished this years „book“ of seminars with the hanbo. My love for this weapon dates back when we trained on the wooden floors and I remember the pain that came along with it and the sound it made when it would hit the floor. Its beauty, in my opinion, is that it’s „hidden“ in many objects that we name otherwise: an umbrella, a walking cane, a trekking staff, a rolling pin…
As Sensei said, the hanbo is completely legal, we can carry it everywhere and anytime. To be able to wield this weapon is a great advantage. Firstly, because it is big enough to make enough damage to an aggressive attacker that doesn’t need to be visible to the eye, and at the same time it is small enough to „pack it“ and carry it around with us. The Hanbo is such a small, and at the same time a big thing.
We were eight on this seminar, and we’ve gone through eight kata – each one better than the previous one. At first I though that we would start off with the basic postures and forms that I’ve encountered before, however Sensei surprised us with specific scenarios for defense from various continuous strikes, grips to a part of the clothing, or, attempts to take away our weapon. The kata had „character“, as sempai Marko would have said. We could feel the explosive potential of the weapon, and the pain on contact was present at all times. That was the undeniable proof of its efficiency.
The atmosphere during the seminar was excellent and everyone did their best. The intensity of the training contributed to the change of color on the beginners’ faces, and for the older students it increased the stability, the speed, and the ease of use of the weapon. It’s a great feeling when you consider something known, and then you will discover a new move that makes a big difference and you will feel the enthusiasm from repeating a kata and the reveal of another of its hidden pearls, which in turn creates even greater hunger to keep going further!“