Personal news/ Gojyu Kai news

[Markaso]

Well it finally happened .... yeah, after 20 years, and some hard pracice I finally reached another mile stone. I received my 5 dan (fifth degree black belt) On my way to the test I struck up a conversation with another Karate-ka and he told me something very interesting. The Gojyu Kai is getting more strict as to who may open a dojo. I guess that in past years they have been a bit laxed. Well, it as been decided that if you would like your dojo to be recognized by the Gijyu kai, you must at least be a 5 Dan.
I think this is a good move as to try to keep the quality of the art moving up.

Anyway, that's the news for now.

[john_lord_b3]

congratulations for your Godan promotion. BTW who is the head of the Goju-kai now. Is it Master Yamaguchi's daughter, Wakako?

[Markaso]

congratulations for your Godan promotion. BTW who is the head of the Goju-kai now. Is it Master Yamaguchi's daughter, Wakako?

Mr. Haryo

Thank you for the congrats! As for who is the head of the Go Jyu Kai .....not actually sure. Sorry. It may be on the official web page of the Go Jyu Kai but the only page that I think would carry that information may be in Japanese ..... I will try to find out if I can.

[john_lord_b3]

Dear Mr. Markaso, I am sorry for causing the inconvenience, I thought you were tested in Japan, because from what I heard, all tests above yondan are taken in Japan. I guess now that there are many Shihan outside Japan, it is possible to be tested for Godan outside Japan.

So, what was the Kata you did for your Godan test, Mr. Markaso? Maybe you did some interesting or rare Kata like the Goju-Kai Hakutsuru Kata?

[john_lord_b3]

Oops, Mr. Markaso, when I said "Japan" in the previous posting, I meant "Japan Hombu, at the front of the Kaicho of the Goju-Kai". Sorry for not being clear. Sumi masen!

[Markaso]

Dear Mr. Markaso, I am sorry for causing the inconvenience, I thought you were tested in Japan, because from what I heard, all tests above yondan are taken in Japan. I guess now that there are many Shihan outside Japan, it is possible to be tested for Godan outside Japan.

So, what was the Kata you did for your Godan test, Mr. Markaso? Maybe you did some interesting or rare Kata like the Goju-Kai Hakutsuru Kata?

Mr. Haryo

There has been no inconvenience. I have been in Japan......roughly about 20 years. I have been here since 1986 till now ...... In that time I spent 2 years in Canada without a teacher. All of my tests have been in Japan. As for Yondan and up .... I am pretty sure you can take your tests anywhere. I do know that the Go Jyu Kai has gotten more strict as to what level is supposed be able to open their own Dojo and be recognized as a Go Jyu Kai Dojo. That level is a godan and up.

At my testing there are 5 or 7 judges (5 judges for mine). I know for sure that there was at least 1 hachi dan(8th degree black belt hanshi), 2 nana dan (7th degree) as for the other two ..... not sure. As for the testing in and out of Japan ..... well at least in Japan, up to your San dan (third) you may be tested in you city. Yon Dan (4th) - roku Dan (6th) any where in your district. Nana Dan and up.... anywhere in Japan. It could be roku Dan (6th)and up anywhere in Japan.......but I would have to check on that. I live on the Island of Kyushyu. I had to go to another prefecture for my yon Dan and go Dan, but I was still in Kyushyu.


As for the Kata that I did for the test .... Sanchin,Tenshyou,Seipai.


Hope that clears up a bit of stuff for you.


P.S. My name is Mark Posselius ...... not Markaso.

[john_lord_b3]

Hello Posselius sensei,

thank you for the information regarding the current rank testing procedures in Japan. I am sure most of the high-ranking Yudansha in the Goju-Kai has excellent skills.

Seipai is a wonderful, but very difficult Kata. I never really able to pull it off yet. And now that I am no longer doing Goju, I never had the time to practice it. For my own personal enjoyment, I still do Sanchin, Tensho, Saifa and Sanseru, sometimes Seisan, but not as often as before.

Please pass my regards to all your Dojo-friends in the island of Kyushu.

[Markaso]

Mr. Haryo

I am so sorry for the late reply. What I found out recently is that Rokku Dan and above you must be tested in Japan. Up until Go Dan You may be tested in your own Country.

[Markaso]

I know now that the third Kata that I must do for my Nana Dan, for the Go Jyu Kai test is Kururunfua. Not an easy one at all!