2014 was a busy and eventful year for us at the Harold’s Cross Dojo.
We trained three times a week, hosted monthly workshops, invited international instructors to Dublin to teach, and visited Japan three times for training with Hatsumi Soke and his Shihan.
We took part in public demonstrations and continued filming the entire kyu grade syllabus we offer, making each video available as a study aid via an online video portal. We also installed a museum-grade glass display case to house some of the dojo’s growing collection of antique weaponry and makimono/densho documents.
We trained three times a week, hosted monthly workshops, invited international instructors to Dublin to teach, and visited Japan three times for training with Hatsumi Soke and his Shihan.
We took part in public demonstrations and continued filming the entire kyu grade syllabus we offer, making each video available as a study aid via an online video portal. We also installed a museum-grade glass display case to house some of the dojo’s growing collection of antique weaponry and makimono/densho documents.
In January I was presented with the Bujinkan Dojo gold medal by Soke in Tokyo for preserving Japanese martial culture and had the privilege of having him come with me to purchase a katana to help further my studies of battojutsu, tameshigiri and the swordsmanship we study in the Bujinkan.
In March, we hosted Spanish Shihan and friend of the dojo Alex Esteve for a workshop on Kukishinden Ryu Dakentaijutsu and Bojutsu and I was invited to teach a seminar in New York on battojutsu for the Tanjiki Dojo.
In April, we took part in the Experience Japan event in the Phoenix Park, with an embu showing aspects of our budo to the wider community.
This month, we also produced a professionally shot, edited and scored video made entirely by the expertise of students at the dojo.
During the summer, we launched a new website, created in partnership with our friends at Redbloc Design and I was invited to teach at the Bujinkan Italia Dojo in Vicenza, Italy, in May, and then in July a group of us travelled to Barcelona at Alex Esteve’s Dojo for a fantastic weekend of Taijutsu and some tuition in modern marksmanship.
During the summer, we also held a social event to celebrate the 15th year of continuous operation of the dojo in Dublin city, and had lots of fun with dojo members and friends of the dojo who came out for a night of food, drink and silliness. In August, I visited Japan again for more training and during this trip, I was awarded the Bujinkan Dojo Bufu Ikkan Shingitai long service award by Hatsumi Soke in the hombu dojo.
In September, a radio documentary about the dojo was aired on Dublin South FM radio, helping to spread the message about our activities and Hatsumi Sensei’s martial arts in Dublin.
by Dublin South 93.9 Fm on Mixcloud
At the end of November, we went back to Japan for a third training trip, attended a shidoshikai meeting there and got to see the progress being made on the new hombu dojo being constructed in Noda. In December, we had our by-now traditional Christmas party and bonenkai party, attended this year by 36 people.
All in all, I think you’ll agree, a busy year!
So what does 2015 have in store? As of now, more of the same. Alex Esteve will be back for a seminar at the end of January, and there is a dojo trip to Japan planned for March, and by the looks of it, it will be the best attended trip for several years. The training theme for the Bujinkan Dojo for 2015, as of now, is Kuki Biken no ho, or the swordsmanship of the Kukishinden Ryu, so starting in January we’re going to be exploring swordsmanship in a lot of detail.
See you on the mats,
Alex Meehan
‘Nami Ryu’