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Hyper Japan Festival Martial Arts (Yosakoi Dance, Shorinji, Iaido/Jodo, Aikido, Karate) Workshops 2025
Hyper Japan Festival Martial Arts Workshops 2025
The Hyper Japan Festival 2025, held from July 18 to 20 at Olympia Events in London, is the UK’s premier celebration of Japanese culture, drawing thousands to experience its vibrant showcase of traditions, food, and performances. Among its highlights are the Martial Arts Workshops, featuring Yosakoi Dance, Shorinji Kempo, Iaido/Jodo, Aikido, and Karate. These masterclasses, led by skilled instructors such as those from Aikido Gyodokan, offer participants an immersive opportunity to engage with Japan’s rich martial arts heritage. Designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike, the workshops provide hands-on training, cultural insights, and a chance to explore the physical and philosophical dimensions of these disciplines.
What You Will Learn
Each martial art in the Hyper Japan 2025 Martial Arts Workshops offers unique skills, blending physical techniques with cultural and philosophical depth. Below is a detailed breakdown of what participants will learn in each discipline:
Yosakoi Dance: Yosakoi is a high-energy, modern Japanese dance style combining traditional folk movements with contemporary choreography. Participants will learn basic Yosakoi steps, characterized by dynamic arm swings, synchronized footwork, and expressive gestures. The workshop teaches how to handle naruko, wooden clappers used to accentuate rhythms. You will practice choreography inspired by festival performances, emphasizing teamwork and synchronization. The class also explores Yosakoi’s cultural roots, connecting it to Japan’s summer festivals like Kochi’s Yosakoi Matsuri. By the end, participants will perform a short routine, gaining confidence in movement and rhythm.
Shorinji Kempo: Shorinji Kempo is a modern martial art blending self-defense with Zen philosophy. You will learn fundamental techniques, including goho (hard techniques like punches and kicks) and juho (soft techniques like joint locks and throws). The workshop emphasizes balance, precision, and mental focus, teaching how to redirect an opponent’s force. Participants will practice paired exercises to develop timing and coordination. The instructor will introduce Zen meditation to enhance mindfulness, a core aspect of Shorinji Kempo’s philosophy of self-improvement. You will gain insights into its holistic approach, fostering both physical strength and mental clarity.
Iaido/Jodo: Iaido, the art of drawing and wielding a Japanese sword, focuses on precision and fluidity. Participants will learn basic kata (forms), practicing drawing, cutting, and sheathing a sword with a wooden bokken or unsharpened iaito. Jodo, the art of the short staff, teaches defensive techniques against a sword-wielding opponent. You will practice handling a jo (staff) through paired drills, learning to block and counter attacks. Both arts emphasize mental discipline and situational awareness. The workshop covers proper etiquette, such as bowing and sword handling, reflecting samurai traditions. Participants will perform a simple kata sequence, understanding the grace and focus required.
Aikido: Aikido, a non-competitive martial art, focuses on redirecting an opponent’s energy through circular movements. Led by instructors like Ivan Melo and Cathy Okada from Aikido Gyodokan, the workshop teaches techniques such as throws and joint locks. You will learn to blend with an opponent’s movements, emphasizing harmony over aggression. The class includes body arts and weapons training, using bokken and jo for partnered practice. Participants will explore Aikido’s philosophy of non-violence and self-control, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. By the end, you will execute basic techniques and understand Aikido’s application in self-defense.
Karate: Karate, meaning “empty hand,” focuses on striking techniques. The workshop introduces Shotokan or Shito-Ryu styles, teaching punches, kicks, and blocks from a stable stance. Participants will learn kata (prearranged forms) to build muscle memory and precision. The class covers sparring etiquette and basic self-defense applications, emphasizing discipline and respect. You will practice breathing techniques to enhance focus and power. The instructor will highlight Karate’s Okinawan origins and its emphasis on character development, leaving participants with foundational skills and an appreciation for its cultural significance.
Across all workshops, participants will gain an understanding of Japanese martial arts’ shared principles, such as discipline, respect, and mindfulness. Each session integrates cultural context, connecting techniques to their historical and philosophical roots. Beginners will acquire practical skills, while enthusiasts can refine their understanding through expert guidance. The workshops foster confidence, physical fitness, and a deeper connection to Japanese culture.
Lesson Structure
Each martial arts workshop lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, designed to be engaging and accessible. Sessions begin with a brief introduction, where instructors explain the history and philosophy of the martial art, setting the cultural context. For example, Aikido classes may discuss Morihei Ueshiba’s principles of harmony, while Yosakoi introduces festival traditions.
Next, instructors demonstrate core techniques, ensuring clarity for beginners. In Iaido/Jodo, participants observe sword-drawing or staff-handling forms; in Karate, they watch punch-kick combinations. This is followed by hands-on practice in small groups, allowing personalized feedback. Yosakoi participants rehearse choreography with naruko, while Shorinji Kempo involves paired drills for strikes and locks. Aikido focuses on partnered throws, and Karate emphasizes kata repetition.
Instructors guide participants step-by-step, correcting posture and technique. The pace accommodates all skill levels, with children’s sessions (e.g., Aikido kids’ class on Sunday) tailored for ages 10–17. The workshops conclude with a practical application, such as performing a short Yosakoi routine, an Iaido kata, or an Aikido throw. A Q&A session allows participants to explore the art further. Some workshops, like Yosakoi, may end with a group performance, fostering camaraderie. All sessions require a separate festival ticket and are conducted in English for accessibility.
Materials Used
Materials are provided to ensure a seamless experience. For Yosakoi, participants use naruko (wooden clappers) and wear comfortable clothing, with optional happi coats for a festival feel. Shorinji Kempo requires loose attire, with mats provided for safe practice of throws and locks. Iaido participants use bokken (wooden swords) or iaito (unsharpened metal swords), while Jodo provides jo (wooden staffs) and protective gear for partnered drills. Aikido uses mats, bokken, and jo for weapons training, with participants wearing loose clothing or provided gi (uniforms). Karate supplies mats and targets for striking practice, with optional gi for authenticity. All equipment adheres to safety standards, and instructors ensure proper handling. Participants are advised to wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing and bring water. Some workshops provide keepsakes, such as a Yosakoi naruko or a Karate belt, enhancing the experience.
YouTube Channel
For further exploration, the YouTube channel “Japan Society” offers insightful videos on Japanese martial arts and culture. Visit https://www.youtube.com/@JapanSocietyNYC for demonstrations and cultural content, including Aikido, Karate, and traditional practices, complementing the Hyper Japan workshops.
Brief History of Japanese Martial Arts
Japanese martial arts, or budo, encompass a diverse range of disciplines rooted in Japan’s samurai and feudal history. Originating in the Heian period (794–1185), early martial practices focused on archery and horsemanship for warfare. By the Kamakura period (1185–1333), swordsmanship (kenjutsu) became central, with samurai refining techniques using katana. The Edo period (1603–1868), a time of relative peace, saw martial arts evolve into structured systems emphasizing spiritual and moral development, giving rise to koryu (classical) schools like Iaido, which perfects sword-drawing.
The Meiji Restoration (1868) modernized martial arts, leading to gendai budo (modern martial ways). Jigoro Kano founded Judo in 1882, adapting jujutsu for sport and self-improvement. Morihei Ueshiba developed Aikido in the 1940s, emphasizing harmony and non-violence. Karate, originating from Okinawa’s indigenous “te” and Chinese influences, was formalized by Gichin Funakoshi in the 1920s, spreading globally. Shorinji Kempo, established in 1947 by Doshin So, blends Shaolin kung fu with Zen philosophy, focusing on self-defense and mindfulness. Yosakoi, though not a martial art, emerged in 1954 in Kochi, combining traditional dance with modern flair, reflecting Japan’s festival culture.
Iaido and Jodo trace their roots to samurai combat, with Iaido focusing on swift, precise sword techniques and Jodo on staff-based defense. These arts preserve koryu traditions, emphasizing discipline and mental focus. Today, Japanese martial arts are practiced worldwide, valued for physical fitness, self-defense, and spiritual growth. Their global spread, especially post-World War II, reflects their universal appeal, blending tradition with modern adaptation.
Paul (Poison Fish) Manjyu Woodman
