Location

Deer Park Public School
23 Ferndale Ave. (3rd. floor gymnasium, south east entrance)
Monday, February 13, 2012 @ 7:30-8:00pm

Photos from the February 13 Demonstration

The demonstration was a great success. Here are a few photos from the event. Videos to come!

Okinawan Kobudo (ancient martial way of Okinawa)

From its roots in Chinese martial arts and possibly native use of Okinawan farming tools, Okinawan Kobudo developed as methods of training in a rich variety of traditional wooden and steel weaponry. Through its journey from Okinawa to Japan, and then from there to the West and the rest of the world, it has been followed by many martial artists, as a form of developing their understanding of weapons as well as improving their empty hand techniques.

Sensei O'Connell from High Park Martial Arts will narrate and explain the techniques that will be demonstrated by 4 of his students, 3 Black Belts and 1 Brown Belt. They will perform 5 katas each plus partner drills. The weapons used will be the bo, jo, sai, tongfa, eku, kama, bokken and sword.There will be a brief discussion afterwards and possibly some instruction with Black Belts.

Joining us in the audience will be the GTA Sansei Social Group, whose members consist mostly of third-generation Japanese- Canadians interested in supporting Japanese-related activities by reconnecting with their culture. Pietro Cammalleri, of the dojo, has been a member of this group for more than 10 years; his partner, Misa Torii (also of the dojo), for more than six years.