From October 25 to 26, the USA held its first-ever training camp in San Francisco, California. It was our great honor and privilege to welcome Hirayama Sensei, 7th Dan from the Japan Karate Association Headquarters in Tokyo, as our special guest instructor. Her visit was a tremendous source of inspiration and motivation for all who attended.

The camp was hosted by JKA NorCal, under the direction of Wauriman Borges, 5th Dan, and brought together more than 80 karate-ka from across the United States. We are humbled by the support we received from the local, national, and even international levels.  The atmosphere throughout the event was light-hearted and welcoming yet filled with respect and a hungry enthusiasm to learn.

On the opening day, we kicked off the morning with an open mat where all participants had the opportunity to train with current and former members of the United States National Team. While some team members ran a competition-focused kumite class, other team members taught advanced katas in digestible pieces to rising competitors or shared their favorite kihon sequences for sharpening the mind-body connection. This boosted morale and brought campgoers a renewed sense of unity that carried through into Hirayama Sensei’s classes later that day in the heart of San Francisco.

Over two days, Hirayama Sensei led five information-packed sessions in San Francisco’s Japantown. A general focus of kata instruction was on correct execution, including proper posture, stances, hip position, eye direction, and course (trajectory) of techniques. Ideas stressed in kihon and kumite included the incorporation of relaxation before and after each waza – “0 – 10 – 0,” feeling as opposed to seeing an attacker’s intent, and using tame to maximize both power and distance. These concepts were gradually built upon into advanced kata such as Empi and Unsu. Sensei Hirayama also provided insight into different levels of training by explaining progressions for kihon kumite between the color belt, brown belt, and black belt levels. By framing the drills in such an accessible way, Sensei provided participants of all skill levels a way to apply her lessons in their daily practice.

In addition to her excellent teaching and constant humility, Hirayama Sensei’s philosophies of life-long learning and “seizing the moment” deeply resonated with participants. Not only did these ideas strengthen their technique and connection to karate-do, but they also had greater implications for their everyday lives.

We are deeply grateful to the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California for holding the event and providing a meaningful connection between karate, its cultural roots, and Japan’s connection to the city of San Francisco. The cooperation of all instructors and members made the event a smooth and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Hirayama Sensei for their exceptional instruction and dedication, as well as to the organizers, volunteers, and supporting dojos who made this camp possible through their tireless efforts and commitments. We cannot wait to see how this event evolves and grows over the next several years. To all those reading this report, we look forward to meeting you in San Francisco, California!

The experience gained from this training camp will continue to guide our members in their practice. We will train diligently to apply these lessons and contribute to the continued growth and development of JKA karate in our region and the United States.

Oss,
Wauriman Borges, 5th Dan
Chief Instructor – JKA of Northern California