by David D’hose
As every year, we attended the spring training camp organized by Nederlandse Naginata Renmei . This year, it took place in Utrecht, and the invited Japanese sensei was Nakadan Sensei. This kyoshi sensei from Itami is very focused on technique, and the seminar was mainly oriented toward the study of shikake odji and the Zen Nihon Kata. David D’Hose, the sensei from Belgium, and Joren, the sensei from the Netherlands, assisted Nakadan Sensei, which made it possible to create three groups among the 35 participants who came from Italy, France, Hungary, Belgium, Germany, and of course the Netherlands.
Saturday was a lively day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., dedicated to shikake odji and bogu practice. Nakadan Sensei took charge of the more advanced group to work on shikake odji, while David D’Hose led the beginners’ group in order to prepare them for their grading, scheduled for Sunday at noon. The day ended in a delightful sushi restaurant in the heart of the charming town of Utrecht.
Sunday followed a similar rhythm to Saturday, with a midday break during which the gradings were held. The day concluded with a lovely presentation of the katas practiced by the different groups during the seminar.
Everyone left happy after this training camp, hoping to meet again soon and thanking the organizers for this wonderful event, which has now become a tradition for ENF members.
