Every year, during the first weekend of July, Ghent comes alive with the energy, camaraderie, and passion of karate enthusiasts from across Europe at the International JKA S. MIYAZAKI Gasshuku – an event that JKA Belgium is proud to organize and preserve as a long-standing tradition.

What makes this event so special is the unique combination of familiar faces returning year after year and newcomers taking their very first steps on the dojo floor alongside hundreds of fellow karateka. Practitioners of all levels – from beginners to advanced students – come together with one common goal: to improve their karate. This year, we were proud to welcome more than 625 participants, making it one of the largest editions ever.

Over the course of three intensive yet rewarding days, participants refine their techniques under the guidance of world-class instructors, challenge themselves during demanding training sessions, and, above all, enjoy spending time with the JKA family. The Gasshuku is about much more than training – it is about friendship, shared experiences, and a common passion for traditional JKA Karate.

This annual event is also a tribute to our Japanese karate father, Shihan Satoshi Miyazaki. His spirit continues to inspire everything we do, under the leadership of Sensei S. Gneo and with the dedication of the entire JKA Belgium organization.

This year, we had the great honour of welcoming four instructors from JKA Headquarters Japan. Sensei T. Imamura, an inspiration to every karateka, was joined by Sensei Y. Hirayama, Sensei K. Okuma, and Sensei K. Nemoto. Together, they brought a wealth of knowledge, experience, and authentic Japanese spirit to every training session. Our Belgian senior instructors also shared their expertise, ensuring a truly outstanding instructional team.

Participants trained in groups according to their rank, allowing everyone to learn and develop at the appropriate level. Each session was rooted in kata and explored essential aspects of JKA Karate, including kime, rhythm, koshi, tachi-kata, and kihon waza. Every lesson emphasized precision, strong fundamentals, and attention to detail.

What left the biggest impression was the outstanding quality of the instruction:

• Sensei Imamura continuously motivates students to push beyond their limits and strive for improvement.
• Sensei Hirayama combines discipline with fairness, inspiring the entire group to raise its standard.
• Sensei Okuma enthusiastically shares his knowledge while encouraging everyone to train with greater awareness and purpose.
• Sensei Nemoto inspires every participant to take the next step in their personal journey as a karateka.

This year’s Gasshuku was also held at a new venue, offering several important advantages:

• Ample space for all participants to train simultaneously.
• Improved accessibility and parking facilities.
• A memorable Sayonara Party with our Japanese guest instructors.
• And plenty of opportunities to continue expanding and improving the event in the years ahead.

We sincerely hope to continue this wonderful tradition for many years to come. The feedback was unanimous: this was an outstanding edition.

Will you join us next time?

Become part of our growing JKA family and experience for yourself what makes this Gasshuku so unique. We are already looking forward to the next edition – stronger together, sharper in our karate, and with even greater spirit. 

Oss,

Andy Willaert
President, JKA Belgium