Buyu Camp (West), 2005

[Dale Seago]

Coming up soon, in case anyone here is interested:

http://www.winjutsu.com/seminars/buyucamp/

I'm not a sponsor/promoter and have no real stake in it other than wanting to see Hatsumi sensei's budo shared; but I and my wife do teach there every year, since it's only 20 minutes away from where I live on the other end of the Golden Gate Bridge.

This has become the single largest Bujinkan gathering in the US since Sensei stopped teaching abroad after the '03 Tai Kai, and features more judan+ instructors than you're likely to see in a single place outside Japan. It's also hugely fun.

Onsite sleeping accommodations are extemely limited, so if you're interested in attending I'd recommend registering as soon as possible.

Here are a couple of views of the location, the Headlands Institute just across the bridge from San Francisco:

http://www.hiconferencecenter.com/images/pic_aerialheadlands.jpg

http://www.marable-family.net/4-H/Goodall Summit/13.A.Instituteview.jpg

http://www.gatetrails.com/photos/greengulch04.jpg

And here's what's on the other side of that ridge of hills you see in the second photo:

http://www.gatetrails.com/photos/muirmud23.jpg

 

[Grey Eyed Bandit]

And for those on the other side of the ocean: www.kaigousuru.com

 

[Dale Seago]

And for those on the other side of the ocean: www.kaigousuru.com

Yep, another all-star instructor lineup! Steffen Frölich has taught at several of the West Coast Buyu Camps, though last year with the inaugural East Coast camp he decided that one's easier for him to get to and he'll be doing those from now on. Sheila Haddad is one of our own locals and absolutely wonderful -- may not be at our camp this time, as she's relocating to Germany and may be over there by then. Arnaud Cousergue isn't coming to the Buyu Camp, but we're getting him out here for a seminar in September.

 

[Mc Qoorbs]

id try to go but i take jinenkan

 

[Shinkengata]

I'd love to go, and i plan to if i can put together the fee in time. I'm moving out to Cali in 2 weeks, so that's costing me a good bit of money. My wife and my mom were in SF for the day yesterday. They sent photos of the area where we would be training. I see that it's gonna be a beautiful 3 days of training if i can make it.

 

[Dale Seago]

As of a couple of days ago, there were five bunk spaces left for those wanting the "full package deal" and crash space onsite.

That doesn't mean only 5 spaces left for training -- they can take any number of people for training and onsite meals; it's just that you'd have to find sleeping accommodations "off campus".

 

[Mr.Franco]

Thanks for the "heads-up" Dale. It's always good to see you. You are a shining example of what a good hearted Budoka is. See you soon!

 

[Dale Seago]

After Action Report.

Sent this out to my dojo list today, adding to some comments by one of the instructors at the Stockton dojo:

Just to throw my own couple of yen into the pot along with Dave Furukawa's comments. . .

Yes, the numbers were good -- about 90 people the first day and 65 the second (Sunday has always been a bit "lighter" in terms of attendance). Great energy. Wonderful weather -- a little mist drifting around, but mostly sunny.

Plenty of good instructors, including four 15th-dan folks. Nine hour-long "breakout" sessions each afternoon, giving everyone the opportunity to train with at least six different instructors in a wide range of subjects. . .plus the morning sessions taught by Jack Hoban, augmented by the other instructors present. . .plus training headed by Ben Warren on Saturday evening after dinner. Plenty of Gyokko ryu taijutsu, bojutsu, etc. for those interested in "theme of the year" stuff, and much much more besides.

The training was filled with what might be thought of as self-evident "truth in movement".

I felt both proud and humble all over again to be a part of this ancient -- yet so relevant to our time -- tradition. One of the themes around which the camp revolved was that of "community". This sense of connection with others (even though you may only see some individuals once a year) is such an important element in the ability to "keep going" for the long haul.

As usual, it was hard to leave.

It would be hard to find a nicer place for this annual event than the Marin Headlands Institute. Some pics:

Barracks:

The area: