POLLET’S Martial Arts students were treated to an exciting experience recently when Okinawa-Kan Federation Grand Master Kiichi Nakamoto delivered a seminar at Bathurst.
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Nakamoto, one of the first Okinawans to be recognised as a 10th Dan karate master, delivered valuable insights to those present.
The Grand Master was one of the last formal personal students of Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Gojuryu Karate, and is a direct descendant of the Uhugusuku samurai family, the personal bodyguards of the Okinawan kings.
Nakamoto is a 10th degree master in Ryukyu weaponry, Gojuryu and Karate-Do.
It’s the kind of karate experience that doesn’t show up everyday in Australia.
Nakamoto said it was vital to make his Australian visits to spread the message of Gojuryu.
“He really appreciates that Hanshi Pollet has invited us to Australia to visit his dojos,” 6th Dan Takuma Higashi said, translating for his grandfather Nakamoto.
“We have the opportunity to spread traditional Okinawan karate. He thinks that traditional karate is about peaceful martial arts.
“The Grand Master wants to tell all the students the value of these peaceful martial arts.”
The Grand Master always reminds his students about the true message and importance behind Okinawan karate.
“Okinawa is the birthplace of karate. Mainland karate has become more competitive, like a sport, but Okinawan karate that the Grand Master teaches is all about protecting,” Higashi said.
“It’s about learning how to treat other people and maintaining peaceful relationships.”
Bathurst’s Ian Pollet enjoyed a special moment when he received his 9th Dan grading from Nakamoto last year – the first Australian to achieve the feat in the Okinawa-Kan Federation.
Pollet was thrilled to welcome the Grand Master back to Bathurst to share his experience.
“Not only is the Grand Master a legend in Gojuryu Karate he has the information that we need. He’s the dictionary. To bring him here to our country is a great honour,” he said.
“We need to know what the true essence of karate is and he brings that to our shores. He shows how we should conduct ourselves as people.”
It was a special moment for the Bathurst Pollets dojo who hosted Nakamoto at their new George Street location for the first time.
Grand Master Nakamoto began his tour with a visit to Newcastle on May 14 before wrapping up his seminars at Penrith on Tuesday.
