by Leandro Pereira Zapata
After months of preparation and the long journey that the Naginata has taken in
Spain, thanks to Matsu Nihon Budo, the first National Seminar organized by the
Spanish Naginata Association, in collaboration with the association’s member clubs,
was finally held. It was on May 30th and 31st, in the town of Martorell. The event,
which took place over two days of practice, included both experienced practitioners
and those who had never tried the discipline before.
Upon arriving at the pavilion, all the practitioners gathered for a welcome and the
customary Reiho.
After a brief explanation of the day’s program, a warm-up was held where everyone could prepare together for the intense training session. Afterwards, we split into two groups: the beginners met in one half of the pavilion to learn the basics of the Naginata with Marina Viñuela and Neus Garín, while the more experienced practitioners stayed in the other half with Leandro Pereira.
The group of veterans enjoyed a morning session focused on technical and technical refinement of the Naginata, reviewing datotsu, suburi, ashi sabaki, and various waza. Meanwhile, the group of beginners learned basic movements, body positioning, and weapon handling.
All participants gave their best and demonstrated great interest and commitment to their technical development. They also fostered a camaraderie and mutual support that created a very pleasant atmosphere where everything flowed naturally.
At midday we took a break for lunch, taking the opportunity for all participants to share their impressions and get to know each other better.
We learned that some of the participants, already practitioners of other disciplines, had come from various parts of Spain to begin practicing Naginata, expressing their desire to continue training with us and perhaps in the future create a new group in another autonomous community. This made us very happy.
In the afternoon, with the fundamentals of Naginata firmly established, the groups came together and we practiced shikake-oji waza and uchi kaeshi.
The following day we spent the morning practicing the techniques learned the previous day, reflecting on the importance of posture, ma-ai, and te-no-uchi, and placing special emphasis on maintaining concentration and zanshin throughout the execution of the waza.
During this session we experienced some very fun moments starring our youngest practitioner, who was passionately practicing his furiage men and also offering his advice in a very friendly way to the practitioners on some of the proposed exercises.
In the afternoon, we focused on bogu practice, working on different waza, some very basic and others more advanced. The novice practitioners had the opportunity to practice kakari geiko with the more advanced students, allowing them to solidify the techniques they had learned and strike the target as they would in a combat situation. This was somewhat challenging for them at first, with the fear and insecurity of someone who’s doing something for the first time, but they quickly gained confidence and were able to enjoy the exercise, thanks in part to the helpfulness of the more advanced practitioners.
Throughout the day, the selection process for the Spanish team for the upcoming European Championships was also held. Congratulations to those selected; we are sure you will give your best!
Then we reached the end of the day. All participants were called to their places, and diplomas were awarded to members of the various dojos who had successfully passed their shodan exams in Sweden.
And so we said our goodbyes, but not before closing the session with a farewell to the seminar, thanking all attendees for their participation and positive attitude.
Finally, the first kyu exam awarded by Spain was held for Gabriela Gutierrez Moreles, who confidently completed her program despite the day’s nerves and fatigue and successfully passed her 6th kyu exam.
The organizers and members of Naginata Spain are very happy and proud of everything we have achieved so far and thank all those who have contributed to our growth and development as naginata practitioners.
We will continue to improve and progress, bringing naginata to all those interested in learning, improving, and sharing, always with the humility and respect that characterize traditional Japanese martial arts. Thank you so much.