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Author koryuPosted on February 5, 2011Categories Home

The popular monthly „Life Magazine“ in it`s new (February) edition, published a reportage about Bujinkan Macedonia`s latest outdoor seminar. The text titled as `A winter training session with the Macedonian samurai` was written by the journalist Katarina Stojanova, while the photographs are by the photo-reporter Andrej Ginovski.

As always, the school for classical Japanese Martial Arts `Bujinkan Macedonia` presented the organization led by soke Masaaki Hatsumi in the best possible manner, and our events are attracting the attention of the public repeatedly.  

The team from `Life Magazine` also wished to do an article about our traditional summer seminar – `Survival`, where out members are training in a temperature of +40 degrees Celsius, with no food or water for two days straight.

Author koryuPosted on February 2, 2011Categories Home

`The School Shinden Fudo ryu Dakentaijutsu uses the following weapons: Yari (spear), Ono (battle axe), O Tsuchi (large war hammer), Tachi (sword) and Naginata. The Kuden says that one night, a demon (Tengu) came to the founder of this art in his dreams and taught him how to fight with the Yari. These techniques are still considered the biggest secret of the school.`

On the 13th of February, instructor Igor Dovezenski will hold an outdoor seminar themed: `The strength of Yari`.

The seminar is open to students of the Bujinkan Macedonia/Taiyou e no Michi dojo.

Required equipment: bokken and yari

Theme: The strength of Yari

Date: 13.02.2011 (Sunday)

Location: Slepo Kolo

Schedule:
08.00 – departure from Skopje
09.00 – arrival
10.00 – theory and practice
17.00 – return

Author koryuPosted on January 16, 2011Categories Home

The precise measurements made by the well known village store Dacko 56 ™, showed that during this seminar the air temperature was between 1 and 5 degrees Celsius. The minimal temperature was at the times of passing the river, while the maximal was around 13.00 hours.

Certainly, because of the desire to master the survival skills in winter conditions, the attendants of today`s seminar weren`t reluctant to finish it because of the harsh weather conditions.

There were 15 students of Bujinkan Macedonia on this seminar, as well as a journalist and a photo-reporter from „Life Magazine“, who showed interest for our work and will write a report on it in their February issue. We would like to extend our congratulations to the reporters who managed to stay for more than three hours (out of eight) following us through different terrains.

The seminar started by mastering the technique of passing rivers with increased water-flow. Kriva river showed it`s teeth on this occasion. The river`s source is located in the high and snowy mountains, was so cold, that after mere few meters we weren`t able to feel out feet and legs anymore.

Afterwards, the students learned ways to build a winter hideout and light a fire by rubbing stones together. The hideout was built in about 20 minutes, and we managed to light the fire although the ground and air were moist.
 
After mastering this technique, the members of Bujinkan Macedonia, departed for the location called Sm`kneno, where instructor Dovezenski held a short lecture about getting drinking water in winter conditions. Afterwards, there was a taijutsu training (unarmed combat), buki mamori buki (weapon versus weapon), as well as techniques for fighting in a formation, with spear and sword.

After this event was over, each of the attendants was satisfied with what they learned, and by the things they said, they can barely wait for the next seminar in February, themed: Yarijutsu (spear-fighting techniques).

Author koryuPosted on January 7, 2011Categories Home

The instructor of Bujinkan Macedonia, Igor Dovezenski, will hold the first outdoor seminar scheduled for 2011.
As the title says, at this seminar we will learn ways to survive in winter conditions, at low temperature and harsh surroundings. The date of the event (16th of January) is chosen in order to test the techniques in the most practical sense.

On this seminar, we will study these skills:

– crossing rivers with increased water-flow with and without rope.

– getting food and water

– building shelter and camp

– winter conditions combat

– using nature as a weapon for combat etc.

This seminar can be attended by every psychophysically healthy student of Bujinkan Macedonia (at their own risk, of course). 

Equipment required:

– field pants (with a layer beneath them), t-shirts, a shirt and sweater, a jacket, hat, shawl, boots, three pairs of underpants and training weapons. 

Warning: the temperatures will most likely be under zero. The terrain is open and windy. The presence of wild life is something normal this part of the year. At least seven consecutive hours of non-stop training, at extremely cold weather. Crossing naked a frozen river is mandatory.

Date: 16.01.2011 (Sunday)

Location: Sm’kneno

Programme:

08.00 hours – departure from Skopje

09.00 hours – arrival

09.00 -16.00 hours – theory and practice

17.00 return

Good luck!

Author koryuPosted on December 30, 2010Categories Home

According to soke Masaaki Hatsumi`s directions, the theme for 2011 will be Kihon Happo. We are happy to hear that Bujinkan is dedicating it`s attention to the basics of the martial arts. That is something that our dojo has continuously payed attention to and considers most important.

As every year, Bujinkan Macedonia has it`s own internal theme, which is explored during the twelve months. In 2011, we decided to dedicate ourselves to the study of Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu (The school of the willow spirit).

The 2011 program of Bujinkan Macedonia is already on our page.

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We would like to announce that the coming holidays, the School for martial arts Taiyou e no Michi along with the two dojos, Bujinkan Macedonia and Daito Ryu Macedonia will not be working on:

-Bujinkan Macedonia – 31st of December (2010) and 7th of January (2011) / First training sessions on the 3rd of January (2011).
-Daito Ryu Macedonia –  1st of January (2011) /  first training on the 8th of January (2011).

To all our members, we wish all the best in the new 2011. Also, a marry Christmas.

Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu!

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Yesterday, in the Hombu Dojo of Bujinkan Macedonia, we had a degree testing for student degrees.

The 9th kyu test was passed by Toshe A., Hristina S. and Frosina N., while the degree of 7th kyu was earned by Filip A., Gorjan S., Kosara P. and Iskra B. 

The 5th kyu test was passed by the students Maja I., Anton P., Tina D. and Katerina D.

Deserved, the 3rd kyu degree was earned by Darko B., Blagica S., Zoran T. and Manueal D., and the first kyu degree was earned by Marjan P. and Marko O.

For their effort, perseverance,  loyalty, regularity and love for the art and the dojo, commendation diplomas were granted to Anton P., Kosara P. and Filip A. Anton is the most regular student in the Bujinkan Macedonia dojo, from the day of it`s opening until today. Namely, from the 1st of January until yesterday, he hasn`t missed a single practice session.

This year, the certificates for support in the development of Bujinkan Ninjutsu in Macedonia were given to Aleksandar V. and Darko B. (all names are written shortened because of our respect to the privacy of our members).

Author koryuPosted on December 10, 2010Categories Home

The year behind us, we can qualify as a successful one. According to soke Masaaki Hatsumi directions, 2010 was dedicated to Rokkon Shojo. In order to discover more on the subject, we organised two international seminars. One with one of the world`s greatest ninjutsu masters, Sveneric Bogsater, and the second with our great friend, Steffen Froehlich, highest-rank shihan from Germany.

The internal theme of our dojo this year, was the Koto Ryu Koppojutsu school. Twelve months we trained all the techniques and kata of this powerful art. We can say that our students enjoyed it a lot.

In 2010, the instructor of Bujinkan Macedonia held seven outdoor seminars with a wide range of themes. Among these, most important are „Survival“ and „The path of Shugenja“ which can already be considered as trademarks of our dojo. For the first time this year, we had a two-day outdoor seminar dedicated to Ono ha Itto Ryu Kenjutsu, titled „Kenjutsu under the stars of Lipac“. Because of the great interest and wonderful experience, we agreed that this seminar will be repeated every year in May – becoming a tradition.

This past year, instructor Dovezenski also held a couple of two-day indoor seminars. He was invited to teach in Kavadarci and Gradsko. As always, the interest was significant, the training hall full, and he fun great. On the seminar that took place in Kavadarci, there were over 50 students who were able to discover the basics of Gyokko Ryu and Koto Ryu.

In Gradsko, we opened a section of our dojo, with ten students. We follow their work and selflessly help them. Hard work awaits them, in order to achieve the standard of Bujinkan Macedonia. Years covered in blood and sweat, in order for us to grow in a real Dojo. But there is no other way –  only hard training. With honour and loyalty to achieve out goals.

We also visited some international seminars organised by both Bujinkan and other martial schools, all in order to get to know better the arts we train at our Dojo. Among these visit, the most notable one is instructor Dovezenski`s
long stay in the Hombu Dojo of the European Daito Ryu Aikibudo organization in Italy, where he practised hard as uchi-deshi to the only non-Japanese shihan in Daito ryu Aikijujutsu, sensei Antonino Certa.

At the moment, our dojo counts 40 regular members. This year, the number is the same as it was last year. We didn`t have any serious campaigns to attract new students, but most of the existing membership remain dedicated and loyal to Bujinkan Macedonia. Those are true students, who bravely walk the Path and patiently train with one cause – self-improvement in every field in life. They are not interested in Bujinkan politics, or quick advancement. They believe in the rule of our dojo: At least five years of tough training without missed sessions in order to earn a black belt. And each of them is happy for that.

This year we opened another dojo for two other classical Japanese samurai arts: Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu and Ono ha Itto Ryu Kenjutsu (Takeda Den). With that, we are the only dojo for these two schools for the whole territory od south-eastern Europe. We see that as a privilege and a great obligation in order to justify sensei Certa`s trust given to us. The plans regarding these two schools are big, but more on that in 2011.

As far as public interest is concerned, we continuously decline most invitations to take part in any kind of media (and there are a lot). We do that because we consider classical martial arts to be for chosen people, who are supposed to find us themselves. From the many newspapers and television houses asking us for an interview, we accepted only three. So, Bujinkan Macedonia was published in the „Life Magazine“, where twice, with photographs we showed some practical means of self-defence for women. Also, we were guests to the weekly magazine „Tea Moderna“, as well as in the national Channel 5 television`s „Vo Trend“ show.

For the occasion of our 15th birthday, in July we organised a party, and there were both current and old members there. We had a great time there, almost unbelievably so.

In august, we had our Ninja Summer Camp. We had 18 students that for nine days day-and-night breathed and acquired koryu bujutsu knowledge.
As every year, we had a couple of humanitarian actions.
There were other things, also worth mentioning, among which the private classes that instructor Dovezenski gave to two competitors in mixed martial arts (MMA/UFC), as well as our new web-page dedicated to Daito Ryu Aikibudo (http://daito.koryu.mk).

Our biggest accomplishment this year – we bought some land in the valley of the Lipac mountain. With this, „Taiyou e no Michi“ has it`s own space where we can have our outdoor seminars whenever we wish so. In time, we want this place to grow into a beautiful dojo that will work throughout the weekends, whole year long.

At the end, a few statistics for our web-page. Beginning from the 1st of January 2010, and ending today, our website was visited by over 14.000 people, from a total of 84 countries – USA, Serbia, Germany and Croatia (sorted by number of visits, excluding Macedonia which has the most hits). While that may not be a big number to brag about, consider that we do not do any other kind of self-promotion – the number is not bad at all.

In 2011, we expect even better results. As always. Ganbatte!

Author koryuPosted on November 21, 2010Categories Home

Towards the end of the forest region in the Mlaka location, on the very coast of Kriva river, was held a Kenjutsu seminar which was attended by six students of Bujinkan Macedonia. As always,
the practice session was serious and hard, and each of the students tried as hard as they could to learn as much as possible. Instructor Dovezenski went into the deepest details, explaining not only the technique, but also the idea and principle it carries. That kind of high level of explanation, as well as the dynamics of the techniques practiced, resulted in fatigue among the studens. However, neither the concetration needed to follow the lessons, nor the mental fatigue couldn`t conceal the amazement and enthusiasm from the seminar.

Differen body postures (kamae) were practiced, as well as
different slashing techniques (kiri waza), movement (tai sabaki and taihen) and fifteen kata that helped in understanding of this school better.

The sunny and calm november day, couldn`t have ended better – there was a small ceremony by which we celebrated the birthday of our student Iskra B., to whom instructor Dovezenski gave a calligraphy as a present – representing her warrior spirit and his wish to share the joy of this day with the rest of the membership of Bujinkan Macedonia.

Author koryuPosted on November 19, 2010Categories Home

With great pleasure, I`d like to announce that starting from today, we have another web page, dedicated to two classical Japanese martial arts: Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu and Ono ha Itto Ryu Kenjutsu (Takeda Den).

http://daito.koryu.mk/index.php

I would like to thank my student Darko Bozhinovski for a job well done, regarding the design and creation of the website. Any kind of praise should go to him.

By year-long and hard work, we have grown into an insitution that works with classical Japanese martial arts on the highest level.

Taiyou e no Michi does not stop here. Our dedication will bring new accomplishments in the future.

Fugenjikko! Action is stronger than words!

Author koryuPosted on November 8, 2010Categories Home

On the 20th of November, instructor Igor Dovezenski will hold an outdoor seminar, titled : „The relation between Koto Ryu Koppojutsu and Kenjutsu“.

During this seminar, the members of Bujinkan Macedonia will have the opportunity to learn how to differentiate the truth from the myths associated with this Japanese martial school.
The seminar is allowed only for advanced students.

Date: 20.11.2010 (Sunday)

Location: Mlaka

Program:
08.00 hours – departure from Skopje
09.00 hours – arrival
10.00 – 15.00 hours – theory and practice
16.00 hours – departure for Skopje

p.s. The next outdoor seminar will take place during January 2011 (themed So Jutsu).

Author koryuPosted on October 25, 2010Categories Home

The Budo Taijutsu seminar, titled Takagi Yoshin Ryu, will stay in the best of memories among those that attended it and practiced hard for two days in the „Yasmin“ venue in Kavadarci.
At the event, there were 35 people that took part in it from both Bujinkan Macedonia and Bujinkan Kavadarci Dojo. Master Steffen Frohlich did a great job with this seminar. In his unique way, he showed the way in which this art is practiced in the Hombu Dojo in Japan.

Shihan Frohlich, who is a good friend of instructor Dovezenski and completely enamored with Macedonian tradition and culture, during the five days in our country visited many interesting archaeological sites and historical locations. The leader of Bujinkan Macedonia, an ethnologist by profession, told a great part of the Macedonian history in a picturesque way, during these visits. Shihan Frohlich, in return tried to transfer his experience about Bujinkan training in Japan.

On Saturday, instructor Frohlich, together 
with
the members of Bujinkan Macedonia, arrived in Kavadarci, where for the first time happened a seminar with a 15th dan Shihan.
The techniques developed through this year`s theme given by Bujinkan Dojo – Rokkon Shojo. The most dominating aspect of these teachings were taijutsu kata, as well as Tachi (sword). During the seminar, the shihan asked instructor Dovezenski to show kata from Takagi Yoshin Ryu and Koto Ryu, and before it was over, he asked every student to demonstrate a technique they learned here.Our students demonstrated what they learned in the best way they could, which earned them a lot of praise.

The organization by the leader of the Kavadarci Dojo, m-r. Blagoj Tanevski, was great. Great socializing during both days in his city, as usual. It is an example of good cooperation and how one should walk the path in order to achieve something worthy of respect.