Last weekend, in Milan, at Gaetano Palumbo sensei's dojo, the national gasshuku of the Okikukai Uechi-ryu Italy took place, with Vladimir Popovic kyoshi 8 dan as guest. The seminar began on Friday 9 June at 17:30, with the analysis of hojo undo, i.e. the fundamentals of the Uechi-ryu style, and of the Sanchin kata (only for advanced level practitioners of the Milan and Pesaro dojos). The work was then differentiated according to the level of the various participants, with the study of the kata Kanshu, Seisan and Seriui. On Saturday morning the seminar resumed, this time also open to a few selected guests from outside the school, and the participants worked again on hojo undo, the Sanchin kata, and the Sanchin shime (test). The techniques foreseen by the 5 Kyu Kumite were then analyzed and practiced. During the afternoon, however, the event resumed with the exams for some practitioners of the Milan and Pesaro dojo (the latter directed by Stefano Carreri sensei). After the exams, the seminar continued with the analysis and practice of the first 4 combinations of Dan Kumite, and then ended with a brief kata exhibition, performed by some of the participants. Among the external guests there were also two other members of Okinawa Karate Kenkyukai: Emanuele Mazzetti sensei (Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu) and Emanuel Giordano sensei (Shidokan Shorin-ryu).
