Master-Class Kata Seminars, Patrick McCarthy 9th Dan, Galway 9/10 June.

Damo W

Hanshi Patrick McCarthy, Galway, Ireland 9th and 10th of June 2012

One of only a very few foreign Japan-accredited Hanshi-level 9th Dan instructors of traditional karate, Patrick McCarthy's studied the fighting arts since childhood.

His groundbreaking research helped launch the kata-bunkai trend during the late 1980’s, and made him one of the most sought after seminar instructors anywhere in the world.

Originally from Canada, he enjoyed a successful competitive career winning numerous municipal, provincial, and national tournaments along with 2 North American championships and a World title.

He also wrestled, fought as a kick-boxer and was amidst the first-generation of foreign submission fighters in Japan and worked closely with Takada Nobuhiko [owner of Pride].

His early Japanese-to-English translations allowed us to better understand the important historical works of pioneers like Bushi Matsumura, Itosu Ankoh, Miyagi Chojun, Mabuni Kenwa, Motobu Choki, Funakoshi Gichin and the once secret manual, BUBISHI [The Bible of Karate] etc.

As an innovator he pioneered the world’s very first instructor’s undergraduate program in 1995 in Brisbane, Australia.

His own publications include, "Classical Kata of Okinawan Karate," "Okinawan's Greatest Masters," "My Karate," "Tanpenshu," and the "Ancient Martial arts of Okinawa (in 2 volumes)."

Currently, McCarthy Hanshi oversees the IRKRS, which has a standing membership in twenty-five countries; and travels the world teaching his Master-Class Kata Seminars.

The themes of his 2012 seminar will be the functional application practices of Matsumura's Bassai, and its 2-person drills, which will be directly and immediately transferrable to any style.
Additionally, Hanshi will also focus on stand-up, clinch-work and ground 'n pound... all from a "traditional basis" as it pertains to traditional karate.

To express your interest in this seminar or to book a place, please contact info@irkrs-ireland.com or 087-6616330, 086-6011763, 086-8764249.


Thanks
www.irkrs-ireland.com

Damo W

Pricing and 'early bird' special offers are detailed on poster.

More info here.

Thanks

Damo W

http://www.youtube.com/user/mccarthysensei

Hanshi Patrick McCarthy’s youtube page.

Presenting a variety of video clips featuring various aspects of Koryu Uchinadi, some vintage film footage he’s collected over the years, a few demonstrations, some rare historical photos and a little personal stuff, too.

His official website located here www.koryu-uchinadi.com

Damo W

Hi Guys,

Just to clarify, this seminar is open to all styles and grades.

Thanks

Damo W

To avail of the 'early bird' special discounted seminar price you must have booked and paid before the 1st of May.

You can still book after that date but the price increases, and increases again after the 1st of June.

Thanks

Damo W

The closing date for booking places on this seminar is the 4th of June.

(Price increases again on the 1st of June)

Thanks

Damien

Damo W

Seminar Review

On June 9th and 10, Hanshi McCarthy delivered a seminar on the kata Matsumura Passai. The seminar was attended by a large group of participants from as far as Egypt and from many styles including Ryukyu Kenpo, Goju ryu, Tang Soo Do, Wado ryu, Matsyubayashi Shorin ryu, Taekwondo, Kapap, Kung fu, Judo, Shotokan, Sh1to ryu, and of course Koryu Uchinadi. Hanshi McCarthy demonstrated each of the templates in a two person context and then removed the aggressor to show the solo form that people are familiar with in the kata. Throughout the seminar, he continually explained the contextual landscape in which the kata originated and showed several variations for different moves that could then easily be identified in other kata, regardless of the style. Throughout Saturday, all of the templates in the kata were covered and then combined to complete the kata in solo form, where some moves are repeated on both sides for form and symmetry.


On Sunday, Hanshi started with a light warm up using the KU drills of Kihon Heishu Waza and Kihon Kaishu Waza. These drills were very well received from those who had not done them before, but also by the KU students as Hanshi showed a way of building up the drill when teaching it, and improvising on the number of times the techniques are repeated within the drill. It was a small but useful variation in the drills. After the warmup, Hanshi showed Shiho Uke Waza and took us through Tegumi #3. Hanshi then worked through the ground portion of the kumi-mura drill called kakei-damashi. The drill incorporates many techniques of trapping/submission but also provides the escape templates used to counter these moves so that the drill flows and can be used, like all of the KU two person drills, as a warm up, as a training session in its own right, or broken into individual pieces for a more in-depth study.


Throughout the seminar, Hanshi McCarthy answered questions and demonstrated techniques to all of the participants, regardless of rank and style. One of the striking things about Hanshi McCarthy is his ability to adjust his answer to the level of the person asking the question. In this way, he ensures that the beginner and the advanced black belt are comfortable with the answer and happy with the level of detail contained in it.

www.irkrs-ireland.com

Damo W

Instructor Training Review

Over the course of three days (6,7,8 June) here in Galway, Sensei McCarthy taught an Instructors Class for the KU Yudansha within Ireland and the UK. We had 18 participants who arrived at the dojo on Wednesday morning full of an enthusiasm for training that was to last them through the three days and also through the weekend seminar. Starting on Wednesday with a talk on Japanese culture and etiquette, Sensei set the tone for what was to be training of both the mind and body (true bunburyodo ). Following this we started with some knife work through some basic drills providing 15 points of attack with the knife and then building on this to several flow drills that work different angles of attack and some simple counters that can be used. Throughout this, Sensei explained how these drills could form the basis of teaching knife defence, breaking them down and showing how to build them up. He also started work on the standup portion of the Kakie-damashi drill and Uke Waza Level 2. These were to be continuous elements in the training over the next few days and by the end of Friday, the yudansha present would be very familiar with these drills (and the electric chair ).


On Thursday, Sensei continued with a lecture on the background of the weapons that the yudansha had brought. - bo, sai, tonfa, nunchaku, kama and tanbo. As well as explaining where they originated, he also ably demonstrated their use. We continued the session by working the single stick tanbo drill. Twelve points of attack, twelve counters and then the various disarms and some follow-ups depending on the situation. Over the course of Thursday, Sensei also taught the kata Ryushan to a number of the Yudansha, giving them the responsibility of passing it on to the others. We also started learning the ground portion of Kakie-Damashi. Later in the evening, Sensei examined some of the bo-jutsu kata from one of the Yudansha.


Friday was a busy day starting with Sensei looking at kata performances from the group assembled. After lunch, work continued on the knife drills, the tanbo, kakie-damashi and Ryushan. By the end of Friday, the assembled Yudansha were approaching information overload, but were happy with the progress made and several groups were getting the drills on video so that they could review and remember at later dates.


Training with Sensei is always a busy affair. With his accumulated wealth of knowledge and insight in the martial arts, he can provide a weeks worth of teaching in ten minutes. He has an eye for detail and a mind that can accurately assess progress, ability, comprehension and enthusiasm. He is willing to pass on what he knows in a way that you are sure to remember, mostly because everything is given a working contextual premise based on sound principles of research and understanding. The training was a great success, with everyone attending gaining much from it. The participating Yudansha left with their enthusiasm renewed, their limbs tired and their minds full and refreshed. Many thanks to Sensei for his patience and time for everyone there and for the invaluable work he has done in bringing KU to the world.

www.irkrs-ireland.com