London Rising Seminar

Mixed Martial Arts Sept 2018

A small group of students from Seishin Ju-Jitsu had the pleasure of attending the highly anticipated 7th London Rising Seminar, held in Luton and hosted by Shihan Olu Bamgbose, 9th Dan of Jiu-Jitsu International.

The prestigious seminar took place over two action-packed days and brought together a remarkable collection of internationally respected martial arts instructors from Ireland, Germany, and throughout England. Participants were given the opportunity to study and experience a range of traditional Japanese martial arts, each taught by highly experienced practitioners dedicated to preserving these ancient disciplines.

The arts featured during the seminar included:

• Kyujutsu (弓術) - the traditional Japanese art of archery, practised by the samurai using the yumi (Japanese bow).
• Jiu-Jitsu (柔術) - the classical Japanese system of close-quarter combat developed for dealing with armed and armoured opponents.
• Kenjutsu (剣術) - the traditional art of swordsmanship, focusing on the methods and techniques of the samurai sword.
• Hojojutsu (捕縄術) - the art of restraining and controlling a person using rope or cord.

Our group spent most of the weekend immersed in the fascinating world of Kyujutsu under the expert guidance of Sensei Graham Gosling, 2nd Dan of Yamabushi Ryu Kyujutsu from Ireland. We arrived with no expectations beyond trying something new, enjoying the experience and perhaps learning a few new skills. What followed exceeded all expectations.

Throughout the course we met an incredible group of like-minded martial artists, learned the fundamentals of traditional Japanese archery, experienced battlefield formations, and practised shooting at a variety of challenging targets from different positions. The instruction was excellent, the atmosphere welcoming, and the camaraderie among participants made the entire experience unforgettable.

In addition to developing our archery skills, we learned new Japanese terminology, made new friends, and gained a greater appreciation for a martial art that many of us had never encountered before. The weekend demonstrated once again how martial arts can bring people together regardless of style, background or nationality.

One of the highlights of the seminar came on the second day when we were unexpectedly invited to grade to beginner level yellow belt in Kyujutsu. This was a tremendous honour and something none of us had anticipated. The grading was conducted under the watchful eyes of two highly respected senior instructors: Sensei Dirk Fromm from Germany and Sensei Larry McEnroe from Ireland, both representing Yamabushi Ryu Kyujutsu.

The experience was both humbling and rewarding. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity, the encouragement we received, and the generosity shown by everyone involved. Events such as the London Rising Seminar remind us that martial arts are about much more than technique alone; they are about friendship, respect, personal growth and the sharing of knowledge.

Our sincere thanks go to Shihan Olu Bamgbose, all of the organisers, instructors and participants who made the weekend such a memorable occasion. Thank you for your guidance, tuition, support and hospitality. We look forward to seeing everyone again in the future.

Until next time... Sayonara!