Budokai Leiden

Karate in Leiden. Welcome to Budokai Leiden.

Budokai Leiden was founded in 1996 as karate dojo with the purpose of practising Wado Ryu karatedo and make it accessible for everybody. Teaching is done in a sound way and relaxed atmospehre, with the traditional Japanese budo mentality paramount. Trainings are tuned to level of experience, with the developmentof the karate on a personal basis being central. Youth from 14 years and adults train together. The lessons are supplied by Willem Neuteboom.

Put on some loose and comfortable clothing and come by for a free tryout lesson. Both novices and experienced karatekas ware welcome. For more information phone or email one of the contact persons.

Budokai Leiden is a member of the Karatedo Union Netherlands, acknowlegded by NOC*NSF and the ministery of VWS.

Current

Rogier van der Velde of karate dojo Budokai Leiden has passed his black belt exam.

On Sunday 30 May 2010, amid great public interest, the national karate dan exams of the Karatedo Bond Nederland were organized, in the sportcenter Lunetten in Utrecht. After a long and intensive preparation the moment finally arrived: Rogier took the black belt exam (first dan). The stringent training program in the dojo, the many seminars and not to forget the undauntable efforts of Rogier himself have born fruit. Despite the high demands on quality which are set to the exams, Rogier has passed on all fronts.

Agenda

Background

Wado Ryu karatedo was developed by Hironori Otsuka (Meijin) in the early part of the previous century and has grown into one of the great styles of traditional karatedo. Karatedo literally means Way of the empty hand. Originally karate is an unarmed self defense system targeted against habit attacks, which provides a first defense against physical aggression. Hironori Otsuka added the unique Japanese cultural and martial heritage to it. Wado Ryu is a synthesis between the old jujutsu of the samurai, the Japanese art of swordfighting, and the Okinawan karate.

Hironori Otsuka already was grandmaster in Shindo Yoshin Ryu jujutsu before he came into contact with karate. Shindo Yoshin Ryu is one of the old jujutsu styles that use the metaphore of the supple branches of willow trees. These branches bend when force is applied to them and spring back when the force has dissipated. It stresses natural movement, flexibility and elegance. From this "willow style" Wado Ryu derives not only sweeps, throws, locksand weapon defenses, but also the sophisticated punches and kicks to vulnerable parts of the body. From the art of sword fighting spring the advanced movement principles and martial concepts. The Okinawan karate supplies the athletic base tehcniques, the compromiseless grappling techniques and explosive attacks.

Wado Ryu is characterized by realistic techniques, which are performed in a natural, supply way. Unnecessary tension and movements are discarded, so that a minimal use of energy yields a maximal result. Therefore it is a good way to train self defense and it is suitable for practising competition sport. Also, it is an ideal way to get rid of everyday stress, refuel with new energy and restore physical balance. Wado means Way of harmony, which signals that karatedo is more than self defense or sport. It is a budo: a martial art by which practitioners can develop themselves both physically and mentally.