On February 20 and 21 2018, the first Meifu Shinkage Ryu (MSR seminar was held in Calgary, Alberta.
The Renert School in Calgary hosted the event. During almost 9 hours per day, participants studied the basics (kihon waza) of MSR. The participants were divided into two groups of 16, arranged by age.
Kids Group < 13 years.
The children who were younger than 13 were presented a dynamic martial arts program, combining the basics of Meifu Shinkage Ryu into a concept called SHURIKENDO™. The participants used ohashi (chopsticks) and small soft balls as alternative to the metal Bo-Shuriken. The targets consisted of puzzle mats with a sheet of carton in front to allow the ohashi to easily penetrate. Other targets made of plastic cups were used to practice thrusting the small bowls into the cups (focus and accuracy). Besides thrusting, kids also learned how to evade objects being thrown at them,
In addition to Bo-Shurikenjutsu, kids used safety soft Fundo Kusari to learn some basic skills from Kusarijutsu. They learned Osame (returning the fundo kusari back into the hand) as well as some basic strikes. Other concepts were distancing and general find and gross motor skills activities.
Teen & Adult Group >13 years.
In this group participants studied concepts from the official MSR curriculum. All participants learned the basic thrust (Shomenuchi) with the Bo-Shuriken first, from where they continued to study other Bo-Shuriken skills. In addition, the basics of Fundo Kusarijutsu were studied, using a soft Fundo Kusari.
Besides Bo-Shurikenjutsu and Fundo Kusarijutsu, participants explored aspects of Kenjutsu as it relates to using Bo-Shuriken and the Fundo Kusari.
Meifu Shinkage Ryu Canada Members.
Registered members also participated in 4 hours of private training, focusing on the Shodan curriculum for Bo-Shurikenjutsu and Fundo Kusarijutsu. New skills were studied, and previously learned skills were polished. This resulted in all MSR Canada members making tremendous progress. At the end of the seminar, two MSR Canada members successfully passed their examinations.
*Please note that photos from the Kids group are not included in this post and cannot be shared on Social Media due to LAFOIP restrictions.
