6th Ryukyu Kobudo Seminar - Kraków, Poland 2025 - Thomas Podzelny
Date and location of the seminar
13-14 september 2025
Szkoła Podstawowa nr 132, ul. Benedyktyńska 4, Kraków
Informations
On September 13-14, the 6th edition of the Ryukyu Kobudo Shimbukan seminar will take place in Krakow with Sensei Thomas Podzelny (6th Dan), who will be traveling to Poland specifically for this event. Over the course of two days, there will be 12 hours of training. As every year, the event is open to all schools and styles of karate/kobudo. Both beginners and advanced practitioners can participate. For beginners, some training sessions will be conducted in parallel with additional instructors to ensure everyone can keep up with the material and fully benefit from the seminar. The training sessions will be conducted in English and translated into Polish if necessary. During the lunch break, we will go together to Tarasy Tynieckie for a meal (self-paid). On Saturday evening, there will be a joint dinner or BBQ with the sensei (depending on a weather).
Accommodation
There is a possibility of free accommodation (with your own mattress and sleeping bag) at Dojo Tyniec (ul. Skołczanka 5) - approximately 1 km from the seminar venue. There is a bathroom with a shower available at the Dojo. The number of sleeping places at the Dojo is limited!
Weapons
The main weapons we will be using at the seminar are the Bo and Sai, so please bring your own if possible, or indicate their absence in the registration form. Additional weapons we will also be using include the Tekko, Nunchaku, and Tonfa. Other weapons (Tinbe, Kama) are intended for participants with dan ranks. As for clothing, we will train in white karategi and barefoot (as in a regular karate training session)
Schedule
The schedule is tentative and subject to change. Some training sessions may be divided based on skill level, and participants may have the option to choose their group.
| Saturday (7th september) | Sunday (8th september) |
|---|---|
|
10.00 - 13.00 Session I (Bo) Bo Kihon, Bo Kihon Kata 1 & 2 |
10.00 - 13.00 Session III (Bo / Sai) Shushi No Kon Sho, Sakugawa no Kon Sho, Tekko Kihon, Tekko Kata |
|
13.00 - 15.00 Lunch break |
13.00 - 15.00 Lunch break |
|
15.00 - 17.00 Session II (Sai) Sai Kihon, Sai Kihon Kata 1 & 2, Chikinshitahaku no Sai |
14.30 - 17.30 Session IV (Tekko, Nunchaku) adwanved: Bo Kata (2-4 dan), Sai Kata (2-4 dan), Tonfa, Tinbe, Kama beginners: Nunchaku Kihon, Nunchaku Kata, Tonfa Kihon |
Cost of participation
Seminar fee: 250zł (without meals)
Please transfer the seminar fee to the following account:
PL 57 1140 2004 0000 3302 7479 7668 (mBank)
Dominik Kućma
Organization and Instructors Information
Ryukyu Kobudo Shimbukan
Ryukyu Kobudo Shimbukan is currently one of the largest and most respected Kobudo organizations in Okinawa and the world. Shinken Taira (1897-1970) compiled kata and techniques practiced by ancient masters and established the organization Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai, aimed at preserving Kobudo in the post-war era. His successor was Eisuke Akamine (1925-1999), and his son Hiroshi Akamine became the third president. In 2011, Hiroshi Akamine decided to establish his own organization, Ryukyu Kobudo Shimbukan, which he leads to this day.
Thomas Podzelny, 6th dan Renshi
Thomas Podzelny has been practicing Japanese martial arts for over 30 years. He achived following ranks: Ryukyu Kobudo (6th Dan), Uechi Ryu Karate - Do (7th Dan), and Aikido (6th Dan). Since 1999, he has been running his own Dojo in Erlangen, Germany, and conducting international seminars in various countries. He regularly travels to Japan and Okinawa to gain knowledge about martial arts practiced at the source.
Dominik Kućma, 3rd dan
Dominik Kućma is a direct kobudo student of Thomas Podzelny and the organizer of this seminar. In 2023, he obtained the shidoin instructor's license and runs the only Ryukyu Kobudo Shimbukan Dojo in Poland. Besides Kobudo, he also practices Shorin Ryu Karate under the guidance of Kaicho Akamine Hiroshi, holding a 3rd Dan rank.
Contact
The seminar organization is handled by Dominik Kućma. Please direct any questions and concerns directly to him:
Dominik Kućma
E-mail: dominik@kucma.pl
Tel. / WhatsApp: 508 364 137
Sensei Dominik conducts regular Kobudo training (also during vacations) in Krakow at Dojo Tyniec, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 7:00 PM. We encourage you to participate - it's an excellent way to prepare for the seminar :)
