Taira Masaji Sensei 8th Dan Gojuryu

沖縄剛柔流研究会
Taira Bunkai
Australia 2013
Taira Masaji Sensei
8th Dan Gojuryu
GOLD COAST
16th & 17th March 2013
Southern Cross Martial Arts Centre
Helensvale
Ph: 07 56656269
info@southerncrossmartialarts.com
MELBOURNE
23rd & 24th March 2013
St Kevin’s College
Toorak
Ph: 0419 158 189
pete@tritactics.com.au
Join us and experience Taira Sensei’s
unique application practices
Visit
www.gojuryukenkyukai.com
or on Facebook at
GojuRyuKenkyukaiGoldCoast
&
GojuRyuKenkyukaiMelbourne
沖縄剛柔流研究会
Okinawa Gojuryu Karatedo Kenkyukai presents:
TairaBunkai Australia 2013
GOLD COAST
16th & 17th March 2013
1-5 p.m.
Southern Cross Martial Arts Centre
2/54 Kingston Drive, Helensvale
MELBOURNE
23rd & 24th March 2013
1-5 p.m.
St Kevin’s College
Moonga Road, Toorak 3142
Fellow Karateka,
You are cordially invited to join us at ‘TairaBunkai Australia 2013’, the Australian tour of Taira Masaji Sensei (8th Dan Gojuryu), the
Chairman of the Okinawa Gojuryu Karatedo Kenkyukai and arguably the world’s leading exponent of Gojuryu Kata Bunkai.
Open seminars will be held in the Gold Coast and Melbourne (details below) and a number of other training opportunities are also
available by special arrangement during the tour (please enquire).
Taira Sensei’s focus is on the combative application of technique. His application practices are unique, based strongly on the
sequencing of the waza within kata, rather than ‘cherry-picking’ individual techniques. This is advanced study; seminar sessions will
include both kihon and advanced versions of kata and application practices.
Seminars are strictly limited to 40 participants to maximise the participants exposure to Taira Sensei’s methodology. Whilst there are
two days at each location, different material will be covered on each day and due to the limited numbers booking preference will be
given to participants attending both days.
$150 per seminar or $250 for two days.
Book NOW to reserve your place:
GOLD COAST BOOKINGS
MELBOURNE BOOKINGS
Host: Damien Martin
Host: Peter Keogh
Contact us via email at info@southerncrossmartialarts.com. Payment can
Contact us via email at pete@tritactics.com.au
be made via electronic transfer, PayPal or credit card. Email for details. Payment can be made via electronic transfer, PayPal or credit card. Email
All Gold Coast enquiries to info@southerncrossmartialarts.com or call
for details. All Melbourne enquiries to pete@tritactics.com.au or call
07 56656269.
0419 158 189
www.facebook.com/GojuRyuKenkyukaiGoldCoast
www.facebook.com/GojuRyuKenkyukaiMelbourne
$150 per seminar or $250 for two days.
$150 per seminar or $250 for two days.
Bio - Taira Masaji Sensei
Masaji Taira (Taira Masaji, 平良 正次), 8th Dan Gojuryu
Masaji Taira is a leading teacher of Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Do, in the manner of his teacher Ei'ichi Miyazato, himself a leading student of Gojuryu
founder, Miyagi Chojun). He heads the Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Do Kenkyukai. Taira Sensei is best known as a researcher and practitioner of the
bunkai of the Goju Ryu kata. He is remarkably open in his teachings, feeling that the techniques and learning must be shared, for their preservation
and to test their effectiveness.
Early Life
Taira Sensei was raised on Kume Island. His family were farmers, growing sugarcane and rice. In his third year of high school the family moved to
Naha, where Taira san finished his schooling.
Karate Career
At 16 Taira Sensei started training in Gojuryu Karate at the Jundokan dojo of Miyazato Eiichi Sensei. He joined the Japanese Police Force when he
graduated from High School. As part of his riot police training he was required to learn Judo. He achieved his Judo black belt in 3 months, when 6
months was more common. He is currently 4th dan in Judo. After each working day as a member of the police riot squad, he would pursue his karate
from 6-10 pm under the guidance of the late Eiichi Miyazato Sensei, founder of the Jundokan and heir to Chojun Miyagi Sensei. While in his early
years at the Jundokan he met a senior in the dojo, Shinko Gima Sensei. Gima Sensei is a very wiry, extremely strong man whose kata exudes power.
Although slight in build, he is formidable in his speed and execution of technique. Realising that they were on a similar path, the two men teamed up
and spent their time in the dojo training together. Both hating to lose, there were many battle scars received on both sides. After the dojo on many
occasions, taken by the spirit of perfecting their technique, they would make their way to the hills of Madanbashi, approximately one hour walk from
the Jundokan, where they would spend their time training - until sunrise on many occasions!
Most of Taira Sensei's Karate career has revolved around his focus on Bunkai. He has painstakingly dissected the kata and trained his body to the
point where he has mastered the inner workings of the Gojuryu kata. Taira Sensei’s bunkai is unique in that it involves the sequencing of the waza,
rather than taking them in isolation. He is most adamant that the kata remain unchanged, to provide us with a common point of reference. To continue
his research and to provide an opportunity for others to do so, Taira Sensei established the Okinawa Gojuryu Karatedo Kenkyukai (Okinawa Gojuryu
Karatedo Research Society) in 2011
Training Philosophy
The main focus of Taira Sensei's training is the application of Goju Ryu Kata techniques in self defence. The kata works as a template to prepare the
student with entry and exit points for defensive and counter moves.