The Kiwis have landed!  Touching down at Naha Airport 10:45am Tuesday 26th October 2010. This visit will be Sensei Kevin Plaisted's 13th, Sensei Tim Herlihy's 7th visit and Jim Johnston's 1st  to Okinawa, the island of karate. Our group is in Okinawa to proudly represent Matsubayashi Ryu New Zealand at the 75th Anniversary of Matsubayashi ryu karate do and the 13th memorial celebrations  for Grand Master the Late Shoshin Nagamine.
We were greeted at the airport by Kancho Taira and  were soon on our way to a first full day in Okinawa. There was much to do. First on the list  was a  visit to  the Nagamine Honbu dojo in  Kumoji. Here we paid our respects to Soke Nagamine and sensei Kevin was able to have briefly explained to him the proceedings concerning the upcoming seminars and anniversary celebrations. Next on the list was a trip to  Tomari port where Kancho Taira treated the kiwis to a delicious seafood lunch.

All of us were keen to say hello to Shihandai Higa 9th dan of Taira dojo so we paid him a courtesy visit at his place of work. We all looked forward to training with this  remarkable man and teacher at Taira dojo again, soon.
We then had business at the Shureido shop.  There was  lots of hellos to Nakosone san and his wonderful staff. Equipment and obi orders were placed and Jims new TK10 dogi was cut, altered and finished while we all enjoyed Shureido coffee and sweets.

The Day was not done yet as Kancho Taira had previously mentioned that training at Taira dojo in Urasoe was to commence at 7pm. Meeting and greeting familiar and new faces at Taira dojo since the last visit was a great way for the kiwis to start this first keiko (training/ practice)of this visit. This session was primarily  kobudo training that focused on bo kihon, kihon kata, then kata, Shushi no kun ichi and ni, Choun no kun ichi and ni and finally finishing with Sakugawa no kun. A couple of cold beers (Orion of course) at the dojo after training and a few more at the hotel concluded the kiwis first day on Okinawa.

This was a thoroughly  enjoyable experience for the kiwis. At the conclusion of the session Kancho Taira informed the students that the New Zealand Members  would be demonstrating an embu! Kevin sensei, Tim sensei and Jim performed Rohai as a team  followed by  individual demonstrations of kata, Wankan (Tim sensei) and Chinto (Kevin sensei). A collection of kote kitae, body pounding and kumite drills ,"kiwi style", followed and were also well received by all watching. Unfortunately a second session was cancelled as an announcement was made that because of the severity of the typhoon the school was to be closed.

Gathered with family,friends and members of Taira dojo we had the honour of paying our respects at the "Haka " with the placing of incense sticks and a demonstration of Matsubayashi Ryu kata Ananku, Wankan and Chinto. A wonderful occasion where food, drinks and laughter was plentiful.
Later that evening a visit also to Manabu Sensei's establishment "Marine bar - Nago beach" capped of a very good day.

Kancho Taira dropped us  off at our hotel on Shintoshin for checking in and to relax. Once the unpacking was done and the suit cases were away the team grabbed a taxi down to Kokusai dori. We wanted to show Jim the many markets and produce found there and also to "locate" the two Canadian bars "Rehab"  and "Eager Beaver".