To mark the 20th anniversary relationship with JKA Tochigi Prefecture Japan, and the friendship with Mera Sensei 7th dan, members from the Papakura Mera Dojo travelled to Japan to attend seminars at the Sei Un Kan Dojo headquarters of the Tochigi Prefecture JKA – and to compete at the Tochigi Prefecture JKA karate tournament.
We arrived at Utsunomiya City early Sunday afternoon. Our accommodation was already organised by the hotel manager who has for many years supported us with discounts on our accommodation and meals.

Week one of the seminars commenced at 1.30pm – 5.30pm each day under the guidance of Mera Sensei and his son Toshikazu Mera who is an accomplished competitor and instructor. From the onset we received intense and detailed instruction on kata bunkai. Sensei tested each of us individually, correcting and explaining the many applications consistent with the high standard he expected of us. He also introduced makawara training. This particular exercise was enthusiastically taken up by the men who took every advantage to practise their newfound skills. Midway through the week we were informed that this year’s tournament would include competitors from senior university, intermediate university and several members of Tochigi Prefecture hopefuls for the Shoto World Cup in Tokyo.

With the first week over, we were uplifted from our hotel by our homestay hosts for two days homestay. Janet and myself were welcomed into the home of Iwata Sensei 6th dan and his family. Iwata Sensei recently visited New Zealand and took two very informative seminars with us. He is a senior lecturer at the Tochigi University and teaches karate on campus. Iwata Sensei has recently been appointed senior administrator for the Japan Karate Assn. Tochigi Prefecture, due to Mera Sensei’s promotion to Hombu Dojo in Tokyo.

Janet and I were joined by Steve Bray and Doug Taylor for training on campus. Both Steve and Doug were first timers to Japan but had already acquired a good standing from our instructors due to their enthusiastic approach to training and their willingness to learn. Iwata Sensei wasted no time and commenced the evening session with kumite. Our Japanese counterparts were willing opponents, outstanding in speed and technique. We had an enjoyable and valuable learning session considering we were 2 days out from the tournament.

The following day was set aside for sightseeing. All members of the kiwi team had a great time visiting many places of interest and making new friends.

We arrived at the tournament venue early Sunday morning and were greeted by many friends we had made on previous visits, including several senior JKA instructors who expressed their best wishes for the day. As the entries numbered 300, four rings were operating. Competition commenced with kata.This was a strongly contested section with the kiwis making it to the 3rd round. We were up against very experienced competition, however we gained immense experience for the next tour. With the kata completed it was time for kumite.

The kiwi team re-grouped and prepared to put our best efforts forward for kumite. In the men’s individual a best 8th placing was gained. This was a good achievement in consideration of the large number entered in this group. In the women’s section we entered only one contestant. Janet Jenkins was a veteran of several tours and competitions and her experience put her through into the finals ultimately winning a silver medal in the senior university women’s kumite. The team competition has always been an exciting event. We entered one team for men’s team kumite, Doug Taylor, Steve Bray and Shane Tumai. Although Shane had competed on previous occasions, this was his first experience in team kumite and it was an entirely new experience for Doug and Steve. However the previous weeks training was of great value. The kiwi team won the first round then in the next round lost by 1 point. Although we failed to get into the finals, there was no disappointment as the learning curve was of immense value for the next time. Steve and Doug were first time competitors in Japan and they competed in a spirited fashion. For their efforts, they were invited to attend a further seminar and to compete in the next prefecture tournament.
As the tournament drew to a close, the New Zealand team were acknowledged by the Japanese officials for our competitive spirit. One silver medal in our women’s section and a best 8 placing in the men’s and an invitation to us all for further training and competition. Not a bad effort.

The following week was taken up each day in seminars at Mera Sensei’s dojo learning more and cementing strong friendships with many karateka who trained with us, the kiwis returning to New Zealand at the end of the week. I was invited to stay on by Mera Sensei, as he was keen to introduce me to further karate experience. In addition I was very keen to celebrate Sensei’s successful promotion within the JKA structure. We attended the University Medical School JKA seminar where four classes of instruction were taken, each specialising in one category – kata, kumite, kion and the fourth consisted of contestants preparing for the JKA All Japan Karate Champs and the Shoto World Cup. These members have been training Monday to Saturday for the past year. The next day I travelled to Saitama Prefecture as a guest of Kimura Sensei 6th dan who has a dojo superbly laid out on the ground floor of his home. He is a dynamic instructor, teaching classes of thirty students four nights per week. Both his son and daughter have achieved excellent results in competition particularly in the All Japan Champs. His son home stayed with my family last year, which enhanced our training immensely. The Kimura family are wonderful people; karate is their life’s passion.

A special tribute must be made to those people who made this tour an enjoyable success:

Mera Sensei
Tochigi Prefecture members
New Itaya Hotel Japan