Over 150 years since Sensei Kanryo Higaonna journied to Fuzhou in search of the martial arts, IOGKF country heads and seniors returned to China and to the roots of the Goju-ryu style. Hosting the IOGKF World Chief Instructors Gasshuku in Fuzhou had been the long time goal of Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura, the chief instructor of IOGKF worldwide. His dream to reunite with his many friends, the masters of the Fuzhou Wushu Association, was both a personal goal and something that was critical to the history of Okinawan Goju-ryu. Sensei Nakamura has made six trips to Fuzhou since 1994 to research the orgins of Goju-ryu and to share exchanges with martial arts masters from the region and was excitied to extend the opportunity to IOGKF seniors.

Planning for this event began years before it took place. IOGKF has no member Dojo in Fuzhou, so with no one on the ground, a language barrier and IOGKF members for 23 countries wishing to attend, organizing this event would be no easy feat. Enter Shifu Hung Ting Seng, former secretary of the Fuzhou Wushu Association. Shifu Hung relocated to Toronto, Canada many years ago and both he and Sensei Nakamura have enjoyed a close friendship for decades. Shifu Hung became a force of nature in making this event a reality. He became the middleman between IOGKF, the Fuzhou Wushu Associaition and the stunning Meiyuan hotel. Without Shifu Hung’s attention to detail, this event would not have been the success that it was.

Shifu Hung receives a plaque of appreciation from Nakamura Sensei.

As the registrations opened for this event, it became clear this was not going to be a small gathering. 80 IOGKF country heads and senior instructors from 23 different countries journied to China to be part of history. A typhoon over the pacific caused some havoc with members experiencing flights delays and cancellations. The never give up spirit of IOGKF went to work and everyone found a way get to the Gasshuku – a special mention to Sensei Thomas from Austria who chartered a taxi to drive him the final 500 kilometeres to Fuzhou when his flight was cancelled.

The weary travellers quickly forgot their long journey when they arrived at the incredible Meiyuan hotel in the University area of Fuzhou. Greeted by a beautiful Chinese garden, enormous koi pond, marble staircases, beautiful restuarants and even robot delivery units, it was clear from the beginning that this place was something special. Then there was the actual hotel rooms; entering to the curtains automatically opening to reveal panoramic views of the Fuzhou mountain ranges was truly memorable. IOGKF is truly indebted to hotel manager Ms.Pan and Ms. Euanna for their incredible efforts in making all of our member so comfortable. Although Fuzhou has no doubt changed very much since the time of Kanryo Sensei’s period of living there, the mountains remained untouched and it was moving to think that these are the same hills that the founder of Naha-te was taking in over a century and half ago.

View from the Meiyuan Hotel

Day one of the event began on September 24 inside the hotel with both all grades and group training sessions delivered by Sensei Nakamura and the IOGKF Executive Committee. Right form the start, it was clear this event was going to take IOGKF members to a new technical level. The detail delivered in the sessions was both educational and inspiration.

Nakamura Sensei explains the significance of the event in the history of Goju-ryu

Following training in the afternoon, the IOGKF EC, staff and some advisors visited historical sites in Fuzhou. The Ryukyukan was the first stop and in the time of Kanryo Higaonna this location acted like an embassy for Okinawan’s arriving in the area. The building was under renovation, so it was impossible to enter directly. The second stop was the Ryukyu cemetery, where members of IOGKF paid their respect the Okinawan’s who had made a life in Fuzhou.

IOGKF members visiting the Ryukyukan and Okinawan cemetery

In the evening a Chief Instructors meeting and dinner was held back at the Meiyuan hotel. The food just kept on coming and the family feeling between IOGKF members was stronger than ever. Sensei Ernie Molyneux gave a toast to Nakamura Sensei and all who had made the long trip to Fuzhou in hopes of a successful week.

   

IOGKF chief instructors meeting and dinner. Sensei Ernie leads a toast.

The second day of the event would be something truly unique and memorable. The Fuzhou Wushu Association dispatched two of their masters to come to teach two version of Sanchin Kata to the attendees. Two 2 hour seminars took place. The first was taught by crane style master Shifu Huang Xiaodong. It was a fascinating class with incredible body mechanics, and the crane Sanchin had similarities to the Goju-ryu kata Tensho. With perfect English translations from Ms. Euanna of the Meiyuan hotel, the details were captured and passed on beautifully.

Following this we experienced another two hours under the watchful eye of Tiger master, Shifu Lin Zhangyin. The Sanchin of the Tiger style had striking similarities to the Kaiten Sanchin (Kanryo Higaonna Sanchin) that is practiced in IOGKF. The body tension, breath control and stances all held relations to what we practice in Goju-ryu. Again, with perfect English translations, all who were present were able to learn in great detail.

 

Shifu Huang Xiaodong (crane style) and Shifu Lin Zhangyin recieve special awards from IOGKF for sharing their knowledge

Day three of the Gasshuku began with a masterful class on Sanchin Kata by Sensei Nakamura that left everyone in awe. IOGKF mentorship committee member, Sensei Steve Gouldson said “I’ve been doing this Kata for over 50 years and that was the best Sanchin session I have ever had. Nakamura Sensei just explains things so well.” The concesus around the room was the same, as Sensei Nakamura answered deeply technical questions on improving the performance of the Kata and how it relates to everything else we practice in Goju-ryu. After this, another three group training sessions took place under the instruction of the IOGKF Executive Committee.

But this day was far from over as two large buses arrived to transport all of our participants to the new south Shoalin temple. The previous temple had been destroyed by fire and local businessmen had pooled together to build a new temple. After a 1 hour journey through the country side of Fuzhou and into the mountains, IOGKF members were left speechless by what they saw. The temple was almost like a hidden city with a large lake, stunning scenery and temple after temple inside an enormous complex. What made this truly special was that this incredible temple was not yet open to the public and that the IOGKF were the first group to ever enter this new marvel. IOGKF would like to sincerely thank the Fuzhou city government for making this special arrangement for our members.

IOGKF members were the first public group ever permitted to enter the new Shaolin temple

Once members entered through the temple gates, they were greeted by large golden statues and a performance by the temple monks. We were shown around the exquist gardens, religious sites and temple structures. This was a truly special moment for all involved and one that would leave an everlasting memory.

As with all great Gasshuku events, the final day had arrived all too quickly. Sensei Nakamura again took the lead in the morning training explaining the effectiveness of traditional Karate stances in fighting situations and standardized the practice of Kakie in IOGKF. Following this there were several more group training sessions before rehearsals began for the friendship exchange demonstration that would take place between IOGKF and Fuzhou Wushu Association in the afternoon.

When IOGKF members returned to the training hall in preparation of the demonstration, they were very surprised that over one hundred people from the Fuzhou Wushu Association, spectators and media outlets were awaiting them. An histroic photograph was taken outside of the Meiyuan hotel before the official ceremony began.

Historic photograph with IOGKF members and representatives of the Fuzhou Wushu Association

Once back inside, speeches were given by Sensei Nakamura and Sensei Yamashiro presented a message of friendship from the mayor of Naha city in Okinawa. Shifu Cheng (president of the Fuzhou Wushu Association) and government officials also gave speeches before the demonstrations began. IOGKF were the first to perform and the following demonstrations were given by our members:

  • Gekisai Dai Ichi and Renzoku Bunkai – Male Black Belt group – by: Sensei Roy Flatt
  • Sanchin Kata – Male Black Belt group – by: Sensei Torben Svendsen
  • Sanchin Shime – by: Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura and Sensei David Lambert
  • Tensho Kata – Female Black Belt group – by: Sensei Linda Marchant
  • Sanseru Kata – Male Black Belt group – by: Sensei Luis Nunes
  • Saifa Kata – by: Sensei Linda Marchant
  • Seiyunchin Kata – by: Sensei Katsuya Yamashiro
  • Sepai Kata – by: Sensei Luis Nunes
  • Shisochin Kata – by: Sensei Roy Flatt
  • Suparimpei Kata – by: Sensei Jorge Monteiro
  • Kakie – by: Sensei Henrik Larsen & Sensei Henrik Jorgensen
  • Kururunfa & Bunkai – by: Sensei Ernie Molyneux, Sensei Paul Nolan and Sensei Peter Galer
  • Sesan Kata, Yakusoku Kumite & Kakie – by: Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura

Following these demonstrations were performances by masters of the Fuzhou Wushu Association. These were nothing short of amazing as the audience were treated to performances from a range of different styles. Power, intensity, passion, discipline and expert technique developed over many decades of training were clearly evident and IOGKF members felt very honoured to have been able to witness this spectacle of authentic martial arts. IOGKF is very grateful to Shifu Cheng and the Fuzhou Wushu Association for organizing this remarkable experience for all of our participants.

Fuzhou Wushu Association members perform at the friendship exchange demonstration

The Sayonara party at the Meiyuan hotel was once again an amazing array of dishes and friendship as IOGKF members celebrated with representatives of the Fuzhou Wushu Association. Sensei Nakamura presented two very special awards to Shifu Cheng for his leadership, organization and friendship towards IOGKF and to his long time friend, Shifu Hu Jin Huan. Shifu Huan was the former president of the Fuzhou Wushu Association and welcomed Nakamura Sensei to Fuzhou on his first trip to the area all the way back in 1994. Shifu Huan is now 93 years old and still an active member of the Fuzhou Wushu Association.

Shifu Cheng and Shifu Huan receive awards of friendship from IOGKF

The Sayonara party continued late into the night, both at the Meiyuan hotel and into the streets of Fuzhou where IOGKF members celebrated what many were calling one of the best events in the histroy of our federation. The IOGKF continues to enjoy a long and lasting friendship with the Fuzhou Wushu Association and looks forward to strengthening our relations into the future.

Thank you to all of the IOGKF members who made the trip to Fuzhou and helped to create an historic event at the orgins of the Goju-ryu style.