Martial arts – Kotae Expo

Martial arts and combat sports are a significant part of Japanese pop culture, from school kendo clubs to long-running leagues. Representatives of several sports will arrive at the Kotae Expo to show what both unarmed and armed combat look like in practice. Those who want practical experience can develop their budo spirit both in the Lightsaber Arena and in Aikido exercises.

OGKK Finland presents: Goju-ryu Karate

Goju-ryu, or the “hard-soft style”, is one of the most widespread styles of traditional Okinawan karate. The member clubs of OGKK Finland present a cross-section from the basics to the application of what karate is and how it develops the body and mind.

OGKK Finland

OGKK Finland represents Finnish Okinawa Goju-ryu karate clubs and acts as a link to OGKK’s main organization in Okinawa and to OGKK organizations in other countries. OGKK Finland’s Goju-ryu college grants the style’s dan values in Finland and confirms them in Okinawa. The association trains the teachers of the clubs and accepts the teachers’ belt awarding rights. The association organizes camps and other events every year.

See, hear and feel: World of Aikidon

Aikido is not only a physical exercise; it is a journey to self-knowledge and compassion. Aikido club Nozomi offers an unique opportunity to get to know this profound form of budo at our demonstration, which combines harmony, strength and community. Our event invites you to experience the values of aikido in practice.

For us, aikido is not a competition, but an avenue for personal growth and finding inner balance. By participating in our event, you will have the opportunity to experience how aikido teaches compassion, self-discipline and a sense of belonging. This is more than an art; it is a path towards a better self and a deeper connection with the world around us.

Join us on tatami, try it yourself and get to know the inspiring community of other enthusiasts and experienced practitioners. Aikido is suitable for all ages, offering everyone the opportunity to develop both physical and mental strength in a playful and non-judgmental environment.

Tampere’s Aikido club Nozomi

Club Nozomi is a member of the Finnish Aikido Association, which belongs to the Japanese Aikikai organization. It has its roots in the Aikikai Foundation, which is the central organization of aikido in Japan. It was founded by Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, and is now run by his descendants.

Taido demonstration and practice

Taido is a modern combat sport with roots in Japanese tradition. The sport is relatively young and has been developed as a constantly evolving martial art to suit modern people and society. At Kotae Expo on Sunday, you can both see and experience for yourself on the tatami how the sport works.

Taido Tampere

All practice sessions of Tadio Tampere are held in Nääshalli (Näsijärvenkatu 8). All visiting martial artists are always welcome to train, whether it’s a one-time event or a more permanent change of location.

Yagyu shinkage ryu swordsmanship demonstration

Yagyu shinkage ryu is one of the oldest Japanese schools of swordsmanship, whose teachings have been passed down from generation to generation for over 400 years. The sport is famous, among other things, for the fact that Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu once chose it as the official style direction for himself and his elite troops.

Practice of the sport includes both partnered techniques with bamboo swords and solo techniques with metal swords. Training comprehensively develops both body and mind and also deepens the understanding of Japanese culture.

At Kotae Expo, you can see a traditional budo show where we present the techniques of the sport. After the show, there is an opportunity to stay and discuss the sport, examine the equipment and, if you wish, also try practicing the sport a little.

Ryuzankai Tampere

The teachings of the sport have been transmitted to Finland through Chukyo University from our teacher Ishiguro Mineshi sensei, who is the best student of the previous grandmaster of the sport, Yagyu Nobuharu Soke. Our club Ryuzankai Tampere was officially founded in the fall of 2022, but we have been practicing the sport on a small scale for more than 10 years. Anyone is welcome to try our exercises, and all the necessary equipment can be used free of charge.

If you are interested, please contact us via e-mail: ryuzankai.tampere[at]protonmail.com

Seibukan karate & Shinbukai kobudo

At Kotae Expo, we will demonstrate basics of karate, partnered techniques as well kata and its applications. For kobudo, we will demonstrate kata and partnered techniques with weapons.

Finland Shorin-Ryu Seibukan Karate-do

Seibukan, “School of Sacred Art”, is a school founded by Master Zenryo Shimabukuro. The style is based on Shimabukuro’s teacher Kyan Chotoku’s traditional Shorin-ryu karate.

Shorin-ryu is the oldest style of Okinawan karate. Seibukan’s training is based on traditional kata movement sequences and the martial applications taught along with them. With the applications, the trainee learns the technique and tactics of fighting.

Finland Shorin-ryu Seibukan Karate-do ry is the official umbrella organization of the style in Finland and a representative of IOSSKA, the international main organization of the sport. The association continues the karate tradition of Kyan Chotoku and ensures that both the skills and the content remain in accordance with the tradition in its clubs.

Matayoshi kobudo Shinbukai

Matayoshi Kobudo is the style of Okinawan master Shinpo Matayoshi and one of the branches of Okinawan weapon arts. Like karate, Okinawan kobudo is practiced through series of movements and series applications.

Okinawan kobudo has a different tradition from the samurai kobudo of the main islands of Japan.

The Matayoshi Kobudo Shinbukai we practice is Seisho Itokazu-sensei’s way of teaching Matayoshi Kobudo. Bo, the long stick, is the first of the weapons to be taught. After that, we get to know the techniques of sai, tonfa and nunchaku. In the later stages, nuntibo – an Okinawan spear-like weapon – three-piece-rod sansetsukon -nunchaku, eku, or oar, and kuwa, a hoe, are also included.