Kingston Region – April 22, 2016 – News – Many martial arts students dream about taking a trip to Japan and seeing where it all began; for some students at Tallack Martial Arts in Kingston, that dream is becoming a reality this month.
“We are travelling to Kyoto for the 1222 martial arts festival, which has been held, not every year, since the year 792,” explained Hanshi Ken Tallack. “Every four years they open it up to international members and these students are lucky enough to attend and be part of it.”
On April 23, Tallack and more than 20 students will travel to Kyoto to be part of the 5th annual World Butokusai (martial arts festival). The main objective of the festival is to promote friendship and cultural connectivity between attending nations and to showcase their respective martial arts styles for all attendees to enjoy.
Tallack is a member of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, the Japanese imperial family’s martial arts governing body. The school focuses on classical martial arts training and on this trip students will see firsthand the history that influences that training and some will even receive a very valuable souvenir.
“Several of these students will receive their black belt in Japan and that is really special,” said Tallack. “I have taken several groups over and some of them found out the hard way that just buying a ticket does not guarantee that they will get a black belt, but I am confident all of these students will succeed.”
The trip is one of many that Tallack has taken to Japan and while it will be a first for many students, it will be the second trip for Sensei Melanie Loxton.
“I am looking forward to so much,” she said. “There are the events and the days demonstrations, there are the seminars and the culture. I loved it when I was there last time. Everything was so different and exciting.”
The trip will be a first for Steve Petsikas, a student that has been with Tallack for more than 13 years. Petsikas is a bit nervous about the trip but also very excited.
“I am most excited to meet like-minded people my age,” he explained. “I am nervous about my presentation, though. I do a martial art called Iaido with Japanese swords and it is held in very high regard. They invented it and now I am presenting it in front of the board of masters. It is a bit intimidating.”
Loxton also felt that intimidation on her first trip, but now she tells other students to try and relax and just enjoy the whole experience.
“I know it is very nerve-wracking for everyone with all the strict protocols and the masters we are around, but I really just want them to relax and enjoy it,” she said. “It is a lot of fun and I am really looking forward to it.”