Is JKA gettting more open?

[Ernst]

I just saw the invitation for the annual JKA spring course in Crawley, England on Facebook and it states: "This event is OPEN to all (Not just JKA members)"in the headliner and it just got me curious. I've had an impression that you had to be a JKA member to be able to attend these seminars, at least in the past.

A few months back I did a JKA gasshuku here in Norway and that was also an open course, which is very unusual. There have been a few responses on Norwegian forums why only 4 people out of 650, not within JKA groups, were participating. Anyway, is it a new trend that JKA will go with the "open for all" seminars in the future or is it just me who have had the wrong impression about them having been closed for other than JKA members? Of course, nothing would be better if shotokan people could train with eachother, regardless of affiliation or not

[Allan Shepherd]

Hello Ernst

I train with a 5th Dan karateka and occassionally take his classes for him who is originally from Slonionia. He is currently in talks to have his original instructor from many years ago Sensei Takashi Tokuhisa 7th Dan JKA over in Lancashire UK for a course in March/April 2012. I will keep everyone posted.

Best Regards
Allan

[jimlukelkc]

Train where and with whom you choose. If your association objects, change, simples!

[Ernst]

I have no plans of attending, for the moment. I was just kind of surprised of the "open for all" statement, as I cannot remember JKA having that in the past. In my (limited)experience I they have always been kind of protective of their camps for "outsiders". But I've might been wrong?

[fujicolt]

the JKA have been hosting courses open for all here in Europe for a little while BUT i know of one group that planned to go to train at the Honbu Dojo in Japan and were refused even though they offered to buy JKA licences. The JKA is not as open as they could be and they loathe ex JKA instructors coming to the UK to teach