MASTER MAROTEAUX AND HIS INSTRUCTORS VISITING JAPAN AGAIN FOR ANOTHER TRAINING COURSE.
Last June, Master Maroteaux and nine of his instructors (from 4th to 9th dan) went to Japan with the aim to practice their techniques under the direction of Soke Masashi Yokohama (10th dan). The purpose of this training course was to study the different layers composing the Ju-Jutsu Mondo-Ryu. Indeed, this jutsu has existed for 400 years and its master is none but the 15th heir of the family, eager to discover the ancient techniques that has been going through all those years. Every morning and evenings on some occasions, the courses were delivered inside Master Yokohama's notorious family dojo and this during 10 days. Between the courses, there were visits (in Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima…) and also exhibitions of the Takeda-Ryu Maroto-Ha students during the reconstitution of the second part of the battle of Osaka. The Japanese public was really surprised to see those students using techniques coming from the illustrious Takeda clan. During this trip to Japan, Master Yokohama directed courses of Yari (Spear) and Bokken (Wooden katana) which everybody appreciated considering how skilful Master Yokohama was. At the end of this 10 days training course, a jury was evaluating the level of the group for the “Shoden” rank. As for Master Maroteaux, he was awarded the title “Menkyo of Chuden” after a successful series of test. Overall, this trip to Japan was very rewarding technically as well as culturally and it allowed the Takeda-Ryu Maroto-Ha and the Mondo-Ryu Heiho to create great bonds.