On the last weekend of August, we packed our jo, keikogi, and plenty of enthusiasm and headed to Budapest for an intensive jodo seminar led by Rene Sensei (hachidan, kyoshi). This annual trip has become a small tradition for our club, a chance to train hard, learn deeply, and connect with the wider jodo community. Every year brings fresh insights, plenty of sweat, and a welcoming, motivating atmosphere.
Saturday morning set the tone right away. The gym was hot, the sun was blazing, and we knew from the start this would be more than just a regular practice. Sensei constantly emphasized the importance of truly listening to his instructions and retaining what he shared, not just running through techniques and forgetting them, but taking every detail to heart.
We began with sotai dosa, switching partners frequently to experience different timing and movement styles. As the day went on, we worked our way through the basics of ZNKR kata before diving into more advanced forms like Kasumi and Tachiotoshi. The training was physically demanding, but the chance to learn directly from such an experienced teacher made every repetition worth it.
After hours of practice, we rewarded ourselves with a well-earned dinner at a Japanese restaurant. Sushi, ramen, crisp tempura, and sweet desserts were the perfect way to refuel and spend time sharing impressions from the day.
Sunday kicked off with examination and a referee seminar, where Sensei carefully explained the finer points of judging and decision-making in competitions. It was clear that his goal wasn’t just to make us better practitioners, but also to ensure we understand the principles and philosophy behind jodo. The rest of the day was dedicated to practice again, this time focusing on Midaredome and Ranai. Fatigue was definitely setting in, but nobody was ready to slow down, each new insight brought another “aha!” moment that fueled us to keep going.
The weekend flew by in the blink of an eye. We left tired but full of inspiration, new knowledge, and a renewed drive to train. This seminar was another reminder that jodo isn’t only about physical movement, it’s about mental focus, attention to detail, and the willingness to truly listen and learn.
We’re deeply grateful for this opportunity and already looking forward to next year. Hopefully, more members of our dojo will join us next time, because the more of us there are, the stronger the energy and the greater the joy of training together!
