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October 2009 October 2009 was again time for U.S. Kobujodokai members to travel to Japan. Harvey, Olivier and Frank came to Kobukan Dojo for training. Olivier and Frank also came to test. We met students and instructors, many of whom were old friends. Corinne and Christophe came from Marseille and Dimitri from Moscow for training as well. Matsumura Sensei welcomed us and helped us improve. Training was long and difficult. Emphasis was given to Olivier and Frank on preparation for their examinations. Both did very well. Olivier now holds the rank of Yondan and Frank Shodan. Congratulations! It was a great trip and a wonderful opportunity to train and improve our skills. Thank you Kancho and everyone at Kobukan Dojo. March 2009 This March, several members from the U.S. Kobujodokai came to Tokyo for training at Kobukan Dojo. Harvey came from the New York group and Yoshimasa Kobayashi came from our group in the Los Angeles area. Corinne had arrived a week earlier from Marseille France for some spring training as well. Much was covered in Koryu training. Mr. Kobayashi had to train mostly in Seitei as he was training to take the shinsa on March 22nd at the Tokyo Budokan. Mr. Kobayashi took his Godan examination. Over the last few years the examinations have become stricter and more difficult to pass. Mr. Kobayashi did very well and earned his fifth dan rank. Congratulations, Kobayashi San! October 2008 On October 17th six members of U.S. Kobujodokai arrived in Tokyo for Jodo training. Harvey and Olivier came to Japan for training. Bijan, Kaleeq, Josh, and Liz came to train and to take the Shodan examination.The group was well received at Kobukan Dojo. Matsumura Sensei was very helpful showing the students their weak points and enabling them to correct their mistakes. Other instructors and students were also very helpful. Corinne Sensei came from Shinfukan Dojo in Marseille France. She took a great deal of time working with our students. Sasha was there from the Russian Kobujodokai to take his Shodan test as well. Mikhail is from the Russian Kobujodokai originally but now lives in Japan and trains regularly in Kobukan Dojo. He was helpful to Sasha and to the American students. The test was on the 25th of October. All the American students and Sasha tested very well. A hearty congratulations to all. A special thanks to Matsumura Sensei, Corinne Sensei and and all of the Kobukan Dojo instructors and students. July 2008 On July 5th Shinfukan Dojo based in Marseille, France kicked off their annual Jodo seminar. It was five days of training in Boulouris in the South of France. Training every morning and afternoon consisted of Seiteigata and Kihon. Emphasis was placed on options for both jo and ken in various situations during kata. Classes were taught by Daniel Chabaud and Corinne Marie dit Moisson, both holding 7th Dan rank in Jodo. Harvey and Olivier came from New York to participate. There were small groups from Poland and Spain and, of course, a large group from various parts of France. We stayed and practiced at the CREPS Sports Center. Their cafeteria is renowned for their seafood. We all had a good time. I hope we can come back next year news archive...