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”. 

Katori Shinto ryu Bujutsu seminar with Sensei Erik in Greece

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The past weekend, instructor Igor Dovezenski and his student Monika Sh., participated at the international seminar for Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu Bujutsu, that was held in Athens – Republic of Greece. On this event, besides the host and the representatives of our country, the members of Katori Shinto ryu Holland took part too.
This seminar was led by Erik Louw, shidosha from Amsterdam, and mentor to our branch in Macedonia, and teacher for this art to Igor Dovezenski.

During the traning in Friday, sensei Erik taught kata from Omote no Tachi, where he pointed out several details regarding the presentation and movement of the legs. In Saturday, a greater attention was drawn to the performance of drawing the sword in standing position (Tachi ai Battojutsu), and in Sunday we mostly practiced the kata from Omote no Iai.
The last two days, Sensei Erik transmitted the first two kata from Omote no Bo to Igor Dovezenski, and with that another „door opened“ for the Macedonian branch for Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu.

Of course, the little free time that we had, we used for walks in Athens and visits to several cultural and historical monuments in the city.
The next get-together with Sensei Erik will be in May, when the teacher is organizing an international seminar in Macedonia, naturally in organization of Katori Shinto ryu Macedonia.

Seminar in Romania with Igor Dovezenski

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At the invitation of Catalin Soreanu – leader of “Bujinkan Shingan Dojo”, shidoshi Igor Dovezenski will hold a seminar titled “Kenjutsu and Iaijutsu”. 

The event will take place on 14th – 15th March, in the beautiful city of Iasi, known as the “cultural center” of Romania.

The seminar will be international and anyone interested can take part, regardless of their knowledge and style they practice.

For more info, feel free to reach out to the organizer via his e-mail: contact@shingan.ro
To get better acquainted with the work of “Shingan Dojo”, visit their web-page: www.shingan.ro
More info about instructor Dovezenski, you can find here: biography

About the city of Iasi (on Wikipedia)

an on YouTube
See you soon!

Haragei II - outdoor seminar

Author koryuPosted on Categories Home

Hara ( 腹 ) is a Japanese word for stomach, and Gei ( 芸 ) stands for art. However, from martial arts perspective, this word carries a complete principle of inner and outer communication through self-discovering and revealing the changes happening around us. The teachers of Zen, centuries ago, taught that breathing with Hara (stomach) clears the mind from any thoughts and enables a view of one’s inner self. That perception exactly of the inner and outer changes, is believed to give the warrior the opportunity to sense the danger in time and react quickly. This training, meant for cultivating the inner energy, was called „an exercise of the immovable mind“ by the famous zen-priest Takuan Soho.
Imagine a situation, You and Your opponent are only two meters apart from each other with pointed katanas to your hearts. The tension increases and only one wrong breath or one blink of an eye can separate You from life and death. It is vital to sense the attack, and to feel the moment when you need to react.
Last year, shidoshi Igor Dovezenski, for the first time „publicly“ organized this seminar, that so far was available only for the advanced students. On their request, the same subject will be taught again on the 1st of March, and additional exercises will be shown. This opportunity is offered to all of our members that want to learn the techniques to increase the awareness and to improve their martial art.
Date: 01.03.2015 (Sunday)
Location: Elenac
Program:
08.00 o’clock – departing from Skopje
09.00 o’clock – arrival
09.00 – 16.00 – theory and practice
17.00 – return
The seminar is open for the members of Taiyou e no Michi only, but you can attend with a recommendation from instructor that nurtures friendly relations with our dojo. Questions and applications by e-mail, phone, in the dojo, or on the Forum.
Link from the last year’s report for the seminar —–> here

Goshijutsu seminar for Ninpo Ne Waza® successfully held

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Yesterday, with a dojo full with smiles and several scratches and bruises, the seminar Ninpo Ne Waza was successfully held.

Fifteen members of Bujinkan Macedonia participated at this event, and were divided in two groups: beginners and advanced members. While the beginners were practicing the basic techniques for changing positions on the ground, including the basic grips, the advanced members had the opportunity to get to know the techniques for getting free of leg grips, as well as transitioning to a counter attack with a purpose to overcome the opponent as quickly as possible.
As every seminar, the seminar for Ninpo Ne Waza didn’t leave anyone indifferent despite the difficulties that some of the participants encountered, mostly from the rough nature of the system itself. However, as the years pass, the improvement of the students that show the most tenacity and desire to study the Japanese martial arts is more and more noticeable.