March 7, 2015
Thirty-five judokas gathered at DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, MD today to benefit from the knowledge, experience, and teaching skill of Noboru Saito, the guest clinician for the 2015 Shufu Kime no Kata clinic.
Kevin Tamai, the clinic organizer, and Diane Tamai Jackson, Shufu’s Chairman of Kata Development, two of the head Senseis at Hui-O Judo
in Beltsville, MD, invited Sensei Saito to the Middle Atlantic area to teach this special topic for the annual Shufu kata training session. They have collaborated in the past to bring other, nationally recognized experts to the area for these special events.
An 8th degree black belt, Sensei Saito has been an Olympic Referee, President of the United States Judo Federation
(USJF), was the recipient of the 2012 USA Judo Lifetime Achievement Award, sits on the USA Judo’s Kata Judge Board of Examiners, and is President of the Michigan Judo Development Association.
With great attention to detail, Sensei Saito adeptly guided the teams with his hands-on and personal style. During the morning session, he taught the overview as well as the details of the standing techniques against unarmed and armed attackers, while the afternoon was dedicated to the kneeling techniques against similar types of attackers.
Justin Shaffner and Chris Mattern, both from Charlottsville, (VA) Judo, were two judoka who traveled to Hyattsville this morning to attend this special clinic event. When asked about their interest in Kime No Kata, Mattern said, “I like weapons. Adding the range of weapons into my judo knowledge will help to round me out a lot.” Shaffner added, “Approaching 40, I don’t see myself as a big shiai (controlled combat) guy, just starting out in judo – I’m interested in the larger judo outside of the sport, and we also train in Kali Eskrima. (Ed: traditional martial arts of the Philippines) which uses weapons. So I’m interested in bridging some of the gaps between some of the combat martial arts and some of the larger judo outside of the sport. I really like the wrist locks!” Mattern then commented that “It’s legitimate. They are good techniques – solid.”
Dr. Robert White, from the NIH judo club, said, “This is the third time I’ve participated in a Kime No Kata clinic. I come to bring back self-defense techniques to my club. And also, the first time I did this kata was after the 9/11 attacks. So I also do it in preparation for getting on a plane next week.”
Joseph McMillian, from D.C.V.A Judo, and a student of Sensei Mark Smith, said, “So far, I’m definitely learning a lot of new skills and techniques and I’m out here enjoying myself. Being the lowest ranking guy here, I’m just taking it in from all the different ranked black belts – just soaking everything in. I’m enjoying it.”
Ken Archbold, from D.C. Judo, said “It’s valuable. I like to see the connection to the old jiujutsu of the past and how it evolved into judo.”
Greg Gobel, who practices at US Naval Academy Judo, and is a student of Edwin Takemori’s, was excited to be at the clinic. “Mr. Saito has a lot deeper understanding of this kata that I have yet to attain, and so I’m learning a lot of new things, watching and paying attention to how he’s teaching, as opposed to watching just what he is doing, so I can get a much deeper understanding of how the techniques work effectively. I’m learning styles of teaching and how to do the kata at the same time.”
Kevin Tamai, Clinic Organizer and Director: “On behalf of Shufu Yudanshakai, I’d like to thank Sensei Saito for coming in to share his knowledge with us on the Kime no Kata. I think it is important for Shufu Judo to provide
these types of clinics to all of its members and to continue to promote the growth of judo in the area. We had a nice turnout today, with 35 people ranging (in rank) from Gokyu all the way up to Godan. It was a nice blend of teaching and practical experience, and I think that everyone got something beneficial out of the clinic today.”