Following his most recent visit to Okinawa to train with his teacher Kiyomasa Maeda, Sensei Michael Quinn has announced that Maeda, Sensei and his senior students are coming to Donegal to teach Okinawan karate seminars at the Makoto Shogen-Ryu Karate Dojo in Ballybofey. He will be the most senior Okinawan teacher ever to come to Ireland to teach a karate seminar.
Kiyomasa Maeda holds a 10th degree black belt rank in Shogen-Ryu karate, and is a 9th degree black belt in the kobudo (weapons) system of Yamane Ryu. He is also a leading member of the Okinawan Rengokai, a group that consists of the most recognised and respected karate and kobudo teachers on Okinawa.
During his last visit in November, Maeda Sensei asked Michael to test for his Godan rank, Godan meaning 5th degree black belt. The grading process was tough and energy draining, and Michael was awarded the rank after successfully passing the test.
When awarding the rank to Michael, Maeda, Sensei also awarded a Shibu Dojo certificate. A Shibu Dojo is a fully licensed dojo run by a ranked instructor that reports directly to the Hombu Dojo on Okinawa. Maeda, Sensei asked Michael to teach the Shogen-Ryu system throughout Ireland and Europe, and to show their support for Michael’s efforts, Maeda, Sensei and his students are coming to Ireland
to teach a seminar. Michael and his students are excited about hosting a teacher of Kiyomasa Maeda’s stature in their Ballybofey dojo.
Michael says that he feels very honoured that Maeda, Sensei awarded him a Shibu Dojo, especially as this is the only Shibu Dojo in all of Europe. This greatly benefits Michael’s students, particularly his black belt students whose ranks are now recognised and certified from Okinawa. His students also have the choice of traveling to Okinawa to test for their black belt ranks.
Michael Quinn has been researching, training and studying Okinawan karate for a long number of years. He introduced Okinawan karate to Donegal and the Northwest in 2009 when there were no other dojo’s studying any style of Okinawan karate.
Sensei Quinn made the decision to travel to Okinawa in 2015 after he seen a decline in the standard’s and respect for Okinawan karate. He wanted to form solid links with a reputable and knowledgeable teacher who could help him understand and train the principles of the system, and who could assist him to transmit these principles properly to his students.
Maeda, Sensei agreed to take Michael as his student, and the quality of his karate has improved dramatically. Michael informs that Maeda, Sensei has really helped and supported him with his training. This is reflected through the increased standards of karate of the students who train in the Makoto Shogen-Ryu Karate Dojo, especially over the past eighteen months.
Michael informed that the karate in Maeda, Sensei’s dojo is the best he has seen anywhere. He was struck by the sheer speed, power and accuracy not only of Kiyomasa Maeda, but by all of his students. Maeda, Sensei invested a lot of one-on-one training time with Michael during his last visit.
Michael trained 3 times per day with his teacher, some classes lasting 3-4 hours. This provided Michael with lots of opportunities to ask questions of his teacher, and to gain a more in-depth knowledge and understanding of Okinawan karate.
Michael slept and ate in the dojo, and classes started around 6.00 am. Michael and his students are training, planning and organising for Maeda, Sensei’s visit, and are looking forward to the seminar scheduled for around the end of June or start of July 2017. The seminar will also be attended by Tony Partlow from the USA and Jerry Pilon of Canada, both of who are highly ranked Shogen-Ryu practitioners.
At the present, and without any advertising bookings have been received from India, the USA, Canada, Germany and the UK.
The seminar will be open to any dojo or individual students regardless of their current style who may have an interest in Okinawan karate, and everyone will be made welcome. This includes past students.
If interested check out the Facebook page Makoto Shogen-Ryu Karate Dojo that will be updated regularly with more information.
Michael and his students are travelling to Okinawa for a training trip in 2018. Again, any student who wishes to travel with Michael to train in a traditional dojo are welcome to contact him to discuss joining the group who are travelling.
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