text:
The extraordinary gifts India gave to an English prince in 1875
A new exhibition showcases the astonishing items was Prince Albert was presented with when he travelled to all corners of India. See pictures below
Enamelled gold and jewel encrusted crown presented by the Taluqdars of Awad to the Prince of Wales in 1876. Splendours of the Subcontinent: A Prince's Tour of India 1875-6. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
In October 1875, Queen Victoria's eldest son Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), boarded HMS Serapis and made a passage to India. As with earlier major royal tours he had undertaken – one to Canada and the United States, another to Egypt and the Middle East – this trip would strengthen diplomatic links but also enable the heir apparent to learn more about a country he would one day rule.
In the course of his four-month trip, the prince travelled by boat, rail, carriage and elephant to all corners of the Indian subcontinent. He visited more than 21 towns and cities in modern-day India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka and was guest at more than 90 royal courts. In accordance with Indian protocol, each regional ruler presented him with elaborate gifts which ranged from jewellery to weaponry, ceremonial objects to courtly nick-nacks. All items received – more than 2,000 of them – were the finest examples of Indian design and workmanship.
A selection of these gifts is now on display in a new exhibition at the Queen's Gallery in Edinburgh. Splendours of the Subcontinent: A Prince's Tour of India 1875-6 explores the prince's visit and brings us close to some of the most important Indian artefacts in the Royal Collection.
Prior to the tour, the Viceroy of India, Lord Northbrook, tried to avert extravagance by suggesting in a circular to all rulers that gifts given to the prince should be limited to "curiosities, ancient arms, and specimens of local manufacture." A cursory glance around the exhibition shows that Northbrook's edict was either patently misunderstood or wilfully ignored. Each glass case contains something beautiful, meticulously fashioned, and of both considerable value and historical significance.
Enamelled gold inkstand presented by Ishwari Prasad Narayan Singh, Maharaja of Benares. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
The first eye-catching object in the exhibition is one that also adorns the cover of the accompanying publication by curator Kajal Meghani. It is an enamelled gold peacock inkstand in the form of a state barge known as the Maurpankhi which was presented by the Maharaja of Benares (today Varanasi). It comprises 19 pieces including a penknife, two pen nibs and a pair scissors. Two intricate details mark it as a gift and reveal the identity of the presenter and the receiver: a small gold flag is emblazoned with the Benares crest of two fishes, and the mast is inscribed with a dedication to the prince.
Meghani regards the inkstand as "an incredible example of craftsmanship because of all the colours that the craftsman has used to depict the barge. Enamelling of this type was particularly admired in Europe."
Her book records the gushing admiration of the Anglo-Indian writer George Birdwood, who became an authority on Indian decorative arts. "Even Paris cannot paint gold with the ruby and coral reds, emerald green, and turquoise and sapphire blues of the enamels of Jaipur, Lahore, Benares, and Lucknow," he wrote.
Pair of morchals (fly whisks) constructed of peacock feathers, inlaid with diamonds and set with layered bands of gold tinsel. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
Peacocks appear again, or at least their feathers do, in a pair of large morchals, or fly-whisks, which doubled as fans. They are set with layered bands of gold tinsel and inlaid with diamonds. "Fans like these were used by attendants to fan the ruler and try and keep him cool," says Meghani, "but more so to draw attention to him. He was the most important person in the room."
The prince received other objects pertaining to the traditions of a durbar (court or audience). On view is a lavish 10-piece gold service given by the Maharaja of Mysore. Commonly referred to as a Service of State, the stunning set consists of plates, trays, perfume holders, betel-nut boxes and rosewater sprinklers.
Service of State or durbar set presented by Chamarajendra Wadiyar X, Maharaja of Mysore. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
Perfume was used at the beginning of meetings to freshen up after long journeys; paan, or betel-nut, was brought out later to politely signify the end of the session.
When the prince arrived in towns and palaces he was presented with caskets enclosing formal welcoming addresses.
One casket stands out here, and not just because it is silver-gilt rather than standard gold.
A silver-gilt address casket made by Edinburgh-based goldsmiths Marshall and Sons. The casket is engraved with the Prince's name, and decorated with Hindu and zodiac symbols, shamrocks, roses and thistles. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
This incongruous gift from Agra, engraved with the prince's name, was made by an Edinburgh goldsmith. As such, its decorations are something of a cultural mash-up: Hindu and zodiac symbols embellish its sides while its lid is chased with motifs of shamrocks, roses and thistles.
The jewellery section is a trove of glittering treasures.
Gold and enamelled Sirpech (turban ornament), detailed with emeralds, diamonds and pearls. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
A turban ornament from Udaipur – one of the first gifts the prince received – has as its focal point three large emeralds bordered by bands of bright red enamel. A crown from Lucknow (main picture) is composed of magnificently embroidered velvet and liberally sprinkled diamonds and pearls.
A sculptural gold bangle deserves mention. "It is one of the few items in the exhibition which wasn't a gift to the prince," Meghani says, "but actually an object he bargained for when he was travelling around India." On his tour, the prince bought several such wares from boxwallah, or peddlers, as souvenirs or presents for his family. He purchased this repousse bangle depicting heads of makara (mythical Hindu sea creatures) in Trichinopoly, Madras, and the following year presented it to his mother for her 57th birthday.
Ornamented dagger and scabbard, presented by the Maharaja of Alwar. Featuring an enamelled and bejewelled handle and a scabbard, the blade is filled with loose seed pearls. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
Weapons formed far and away the largest group of presents received by the prince. The exhibition provides an assortment of highly decorative yet fully functioning arms and armoury: a shield crafted from rhinoceros hide and decorated with bosses shaped by curled-up cheetahs; a sword forged from watered crucible steel; a remarkable ornamented dagger whose long blade is filled with loose, moving pearls, and a walking stick gun. An unwieldy and unshowy silver spearhead appears to be the sole dud on display. But closer inspection shows the care with which it has been cut, pierced and chiselled, and the fine detail of its birds and monsters.
A silver and gold perfume holder in the form of a lotus bud, presented to the Prince of Wales by Jashwant Singh ii, Maharaja of Jodhpur. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
In contrast, an attar-dan from Jaipur bowls over the beholder. One of the gems of the exhibition, this exquisite perfume holder resembles a lotus flower and sits on a plate enamelled with foliate patterns and hunting scenes. It reportedly underwent five firings and took five years to complete.
All objects here are expertly wrought, and all reflect the opulent spendour of the Indian court. However, in some cases there are no small doses or half measures, and instead of being beguiled by artistry and precision we are dazzled by a surfeit of gold or jewel encrustations.
Ornamental gold articulated fish, featuring ruby eyes and an emerald set into the head, presented by Waghji II Rawaji, Thakur Sahib of Morvi. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
Still, it is hard not to be magicked by the collection as a whole. It isn't the first time the gifts have enchanted. Recognising their cultural value, the prince arranged for them to go on display shortly after returning home in May 1876. In its opening week, 30,000 visitors flocked to the exhibition. It proved so successful that the gifts travelled across the UK, and to Paris and Copenhagen. Their popularity also encouraged many British firms to start manufacturing objects inspired by Indian design.
This is a fascinating exhibition, a cabinet of curios and wonders. The exhibits may have been a series of gifts fit for a future king, but for us lesser mortals they constitute an intriguing array of South Asian works of art.
Splendours of the Subcontinent: A Prince's Tour of India 1875-6 is exhibited at The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, until April 22. For more information, visit www.royalcollection.org.uk
This season at Louvre Abu Dhabi: What's on from February until May
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How to offer an Advisory?
After creating a new Advisory, you will need to offer the Advisory. An Advisory Manager must offer an advisory before creating sections.
Select the appropriate filter options and select the term in which the advisory will start.
Select the box to place a check mark in the check box next to each advisory to be offered, or select Check All to offer all the advisories that are listed.


text:
Limiting User Rights In Libraries
Comments Off on Limiting User Rights In Libraries
politics, society & social issues
Pirate Party Darmstadt criticized ruling of the OLG Frankfurt, which has higher regional court (OLG) of Frankfurt in libraries further restricted the rights of users of electronic reading places. In a report by heise online, it says that in the appeal of the Stuttgart trade publishing Ulmer forbidding the judge the possibility of partial expression of digitized works still approved by the first instance ULB Darmstadt against the. Previously, the Frankfurt regional court in the case had already outlawed the creation of digital copies of library users and storing on a USB stick and the ride home. The judge ignore so that the fundamental "right to private copying for scientific use" paragraph 53 of the licence (UrhG), in which is anchored. For the affected library, only the right to remain their 'own stocks to digitize and provide for research and private study to the polling site on electronic reading places"( 52 b UrhG). This has the consequence that the TU Darmstadt a sensible use of no longer allow for the ULB-produced digital media can and must set the previous offer of electronic reading places completely. The Darmstadt Pirate Party criticized the ruling of the OLG Frankfurt and joins the Federal Government and the Bundestag the appeal of the Action Alliance "Copyright for education and science", "not to further reinforce the protective rights in copyright law" but instead flexible and liberal to take into account the needs of users and the benefit of a permissive approach to knowledge and information, not least in the interests of the economy.
The Pirate Party demands that this supports produced knowledge will be all citizens without any time delay in public environment and with taxpayer money free of charge at the disposal. We support the Berlin Declaration of the open-access movement and require the making available of the scientific and cultural heritage of humanity over the Internet according to the principle of open access. We viewing it as a task of the State, this principle at the him funded and sponsored institutions to enforce. (Andre de Stefano) The Pirate Party of Germany is a party within the meaning of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany and of the law on political parties. Objectives of the Pirate Party are primarily the defence of civil rights, informational self-determination, education, copyright and open access. The Darmstadt District Association and the District Association of Darmstadt-Dieburg, the pirate party pursue these goals in terms of grassroots democracy. For more information, wiki.piratenpartei.de/darmstadt
Alexander Horn Mendelssohn
The Wedding Jewelry For Your Wedding

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Welcome to Full Quiver Farms!
We are a Christian farming family in Kemp, Texas. Papa, mama, and children work together each day feeding livestock, gathering eggs, milking cows, and making cheese. Our mission is provide fresh, wholesome food for you and your family.
We encourage you to make yourself at home - browse around and get to know us better. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.


Yesterday, as I was thinking about the topic I can choose to let my mind and hands loose on paper, the first thing that struck me was 'Free Write' itself. I have never done this before. Being a person who constantly tries to be a perfectionist(only when it comes to writing) but one who makes mistakes and repetitions in spite of best efforts, I have always been the kind who would write a post and keep it in draft for days wondering if it is worthy of publishing. So this is going to be a one of it's kind exercise for me. The very idea sounds liberating. Not having to worry about the subject, how my words flow, looking up the internet for correctness of information and checking if I am using words in the right context. I feel like I have grown wings and am about to fly! And yes, I have already taken off!
Many times, I have wondered if I was putting in too much of thought into what I write here. This is my own space after all. No one is going to edit my writing or reject it saying it cannot be published. My blog has gone into slumber many a time because of this obsession with wanting to post only my best efforts. Is that right or wrong? Well, I still do not know. But I do know that when I pick up old posts in my blog to read (which I do every now and then), I want to feel satisfied that my writing at least has my own approval if not of anyone around. When I see my list of posts, there should not be even one that was posted for the heck of keeping my blog in action. So what if I am not able to post for a while? When I do post, it should be worthy of reading even if only in my opinion. I am by no means saying that all that I have written here is great stuff. Not at all. All I am saying is, in my own eyes, my blog should always have what I deem as acceptable content.
Having said that, am sure there is an experience that awaits me in future. Have you all ever taken out and read your old articles or poems - the ones that you wrote while you were still kids? At that time, those pieces of writing would have been the pride of you and your parents most probably. You would have also been widely appreciated for your writing skills and cheered as a budding writer. How do you feel when you read them now? I always smile or end up rolling on the floor laughing looking at my ideas and how much I prided myself for having authored them. The childish rhyme for every two lines in that poem, those words which I had learnt afresh then and used all over thinking them to be very 'hi-fi' - these are things that never fail to amuse me. Do try out this exercise if you haven't done it before. I assure you it will be great fun. Apart from the amusement, you can also pride yourself over how much you have improved.
This post has been published for the Write Tribe Festival of Words - 3. The theme for today is Free Write.
Some of the best writings happen when thought process is free flying.
Very true Rajesh. I think Free Write is a very good exercise that way.
I think regular writing hones the skill.You can perceive the difference for the better even in one year.In ten years you would be more accomplished writer and smile at what you wrote a deacde back.That applies to all.
I too have that thought at times, wondering whether to publish or not. If I kept thinking, there would not have been any posts in my blog..
oh yeah, have learned many "hi-fi" words just to get that rhyme correct.. many times..
People who wield the pen are all the same no? :) As children and adults.
Thank you so much Kajal !
Oh yes .. That is a good way to drive away writer's block. Thanks Jaish!
You will always grow from strength to strength!


text:
LCT3: Third International Legitimation Code Theory Conference has ended
LCT3: Third International Legitimation Code Theory Conference
Welcome to LCT3!
Friday - 11.35: session 20 – Mathew Toll & Shi Chunxu is back on, in B48, replacing Sha Xie.
Win free books! Find out what happens next for publishing and where LCT4 is happening!
Extended Paper
Meal break
Introductions to LCT
Putting LCT into Practice
Researching with LCT
Thursday, July 4 • 10:45am - 11:25am
Tracing a supervisor-student developmental journey through the tracking feedback 'conversations'
Feedback between doctoral students and supervisors plays a significant role in the development of both the student's knowledge and 'voice', and the thesis itself. The developmental role of feedback is well documented in research on assessment, although much of it focuses on feedback to undergraduate students (see, for example, Poulos & Mahony, 2008; Orsmond & Merry, 2013). Feedback to postgraduate students, and specifically at doctoral level, is less well-documented. Instead, the focus tends to be on the different styles and approaches to supervision (see Lee 2008). How supervisors' feedback may enable the development of the student's 'voice' remains on the margins.
A starting point for this study is that supervision is a pedagogical practice, in which student and supervisor are peers, the latter guiding the former to become an independent, knowledgeable scholar (Gurr, 2001). This means that supervision has a role beyond helping the student to write a thesis; it has to model different forms of scholarly engagement with knowledge. One of the primary ways in which supervisors can, and do, model scholarly thinking, writing and 'voice' development is through feedback to their students, both written and verbal, and moving from this to enable a feedback dialogue between themselves and their student (Lee, 2008).
Yet, supervisors, similar to undergraduate lecturers and tutors (see van Heerden, 2018), are seldom taught how to give formative feedback. Even those supervisors who understand their pedagogical role may struggle to offer feedback that both informs the student's development adequately, and creates incrementally greater spaces for students to make their own decisions and claim autonomy. The temptation to 'write over' the student's work or insert the supervisor's own voice in the student's text is difficult to resist, especially when supervision is narrowly understood as the process that produces a competent thesis.
This paper wishes to argue for an understanding of postgraduate feedback as a formative, developmental and incremental process, in which student and supervisor engage in dialogues about the student's writing and thinking processes that shift over the course of the doctorate towards the student claiming their voice more fully. Analysing 'conversations' constructed, quite literally, in the margins of a doctoral thesis, between a supervisor and her student, we will track the development of the student's voice primarily in two ways: in the evolving argument of the thesis, and in the ability of the student to respond to the supervisor's feedback.
Using Semantics, the paper will analyse a series of feedback conversations across two years of the PhD, within the drafting of one of the thesis chapters. Semantic gravity (SG) is used to discuss the relative connection between the feedback and the specific writing task ahead of the student (i.e. SG- refers to knowledge and understanding related to the thesis, but in the context of wider voice and scholarly development; SG+ refers to comments about specific revisions and issues within the chapter). Semantic density (SD) is used to discuss the relative density of actions implied in the feedback in terms of responding to it (i.e. SD- implies easy to act on or simpler feedback requirements, and SD+ implies feedback that requires several steps in unpacking feedback, identifying steps and acting on these).
It is hard to capture feedback in semantic waves (see van Heerden, 2018); however, semantic gravity and semantic density can be productive in tracing, over time, the evolution of a dialogic feedback relationship between this student and her supervisor. Tracing the development of the student's voice over time can shed light on, firstly, the kind of feedback supervisors can offer students to formatively develop their voice and thinking, and secondly, to illustrate the ways in which doctoral student growth is one side of a two-sided process. The other side, ideally, should be supervisor development and learning.
Sherran Clarence & Martina van Heerden
Thursday July 4, 2019 10:45am - 11:25am
Filter By Date LCT3: Third International Legitimation Code Theory Conference Jul 1- 5, 2019
Wednesday, July 3
Friday, July 5
Filter By Venue University of the Witwatersrand - Bohlaleng Block, Leseding Block, McGregor Bloc
Between staff room and Bohaleng Block
Girton Dining Hall
VICKY ARIZA
Patricia Preciado
Daniel O'Sullivan
JWJanét West
AJAJ Jackson
Anna Maria Hipkiss
Naomi Msusa
Ian Siebörger


Nexgard is effective for flea AND tick control. When given monthly, both parasites die so quickly that eggs are not laid and the life cycle is broken. The active ingredient is highly palatable (unlike Trifexis) and acceptance by hand feeding is approximately 99%. Can be given with or without food. When used in combination with Sentinel Spectrum all of the common internal and external parasites are prevented and controlled.
ADVANTAGE MULTI is not ADVANTAGE. The manufacturer of Advantage has taken moxidectin and added it to Advantage, the flea control product.
In cats, Advantage multi kills fleas and prevents heartworm, hookworm, roundworm and ear mites. This makes it my preferred product for parasite control in cats. The only common parasite it does not control is tapeworm. Removing fleas helps prevent tapeworm. Should tapeworms be seen, topical treatment with Profender dewormer is indicated.
REVOLUTION will prevent and control Heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, fleas and ear mites. However, it does not give the same degree of efficacy as Advantage multi, especially for fleas. For some clients it is an option. Appreciate that some cats (my own) do not like this product. The incidence of hair loss at the site of application is greater with Revolution than with Advantage Multi. Also many cats run and hide in response to the products odor .
PROFENDER is an effective and easy-to-administer product for deworming cats. Unlike oral products, only a single treatment is required, not two. Since it is applied topically to the back of the neck, there is no issue with trying to pill or place medication in the food. Profender removes hookworm, roundworm and tapeworm. Not evaluated for use in pregnancy or during lactation.
BY ORDERING I AFFIRM I AM A CLIENT OF AARDVARKS TO ZEBRAS, INC. AND THAT MY PET(S) IS/ARE CURRENTLY USING HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVES AND A VETERINARY/CLIENT/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP EXISTS BETWEEN AARDVARKS TO ZEBRAS, INC., ME, AND MY PET.


text:
/**
 * created by Maxim Orlov on 18 Nov 2014
 */
package string1;

public class MakeAbba {
	public String makeAbba(String a, String b) {
		return a + b + b + a;
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Euthanasia legislation looks doomed to fail
Photo: The voluntary euthanasia bill will be debated next month. (ABC News)
Related Story: Abbott rules out federal bid to stop Tasmania's euthanasia laws
Related Story: Tasmanian MPS consider euthanasia bill
Map: Hobart 7000
Legislation to legalise voluntary euthanasia in Tasmania looks doomed to fail.
Tasmania's Lower House is preparing to debate a bill to allow terminally ill patients to end their lives.
The bill's authors Premier Lara Giddings and the Greens leader Nick McKim need 13 votes to send the legislation to the Upper House.
The ABC understands they don't have the numbers.
All 10 Liberal MPs will vote no, along with Labor members Michael Polley, Brenton Best and the Attorney-General Brian Wightman.
But Mr McKim is still optimistic.
"I'm not going to predict how this might go except to say that I reckon it is going to be a very close outcome," he said.
Labor backbencher Graeme Sturges isn't saying how he will vote.
He opposed voluntary euthanasia in the 2009 Parliamentary debate.
Anti-abortion campaign 'distasteful'
Overseas anti abortion campaigners are targeting Tasmanian politicians ahead of a vote on the proposed legislation, due later this year.
State MPs are considering laws which would remove abortion from the criminal code, allowing women to terminate their pregnancies at up to 16 weeks on the advice of a doctor.
Some have been inundated with disturbing anti abortion material, including foetus dolls and graphic photos of dead babies.
The Australian Christian Lobby's Lyle Shelton has told 730 Tasmania sending such material to try to sway MPs is fair enough.
"Look I think people should be free to advocate on this issue," he said.
" I have seen those representations of unborn babies and I think it's a legitimate educative tool to help all of us in the community to understand just what the unborn child looks like, it's not a blob of foetal tissue."
Murchison Upper House MP Ruth Forrest supports the proposed legislation and has condemned the anti abortion campaigners for sending in offensive material.
"It is a pretty low act, if you have an opposition to termination, there is a way to express it without using that sort of material," she said.
A parliamentary report on the proposed law change is due to be handed down later this year.
Topics: health-policy, abortion, euthanasia, federal---state-issues, hobart-7000
More stories from Tasmania


text:
<?php
namespace Crocos\SecurityBundle\Tests\Security;

use Crocos\SecurityBundle\Security\ForwardingControllerMatcher;
use Phake;

class ForwardingControllerMatcherTest extends \PHPUnit_Framework_TestCase
{
    public function testMatchFQCN()
    {
        $parser = Phake::mock('Symfony\Bundle\FrameworkBundle\Controller\ControllerNameParser');

        $matcher = new ForwardingControllerMatcher($parser);

        $class = 'Crocos\SecurityBundle\Tests\Fixtures\AdminController';
        $method = 'securedAction';
        $reflClass = new \ReflectionClass($class);
        $reflMethod = $reflClass->getMethod($method);

        $context = Phake::mock('Crocos\SecurityBundle\Security\SecurityContext');
        Phake::when($context)->getForwardingController()->thenReturn("{$class}::{$method}");

        $this->assertTrue($matcher->isForwardingController($context, $reflClass, $reflMethod));
    }

    public function testMatchAbbrFormat()
    {
        $parser = Phake::mock('Symfony\Bundle\FrameworkBundle\Controller\ControllerNameParser');

        $matcher = new ForwardingControllerMatcher($parser);

        $class = 'Crocos\SecurityBundle\Tests\Fixtures\AdminController';
        $method = 'securedAction';
        $reflClass = new \ReflectionClass($class);
        $reflMethod = $reflClass->getMethod($method);

        $context = Phake::mock('Crocos\SecurityBundle\Security\SecurityContext');
        Phake::when($context)->getForwardingController()->thenReturn('CrocosSecurityBundle:Admin:secure');

        Phake::when($parser)->parse('CrocosSecurityBundle:Admin:secure')->thenReturn("{$class}::{$method}");

        $this->assertTrue($matcher->isForwardingController($context, $reflClass, $reflMethod));
    }

    public function testNonmatch()
    {
        $parser = Phake::mock('Symfony\Bundle\FrameworkBundle\Controller\ControllerNameParser');

        $matcher = new ForwardingControllerMatcher($parser);

        $class = 'Crocos\SecurityBundle\Tests\Fixtures\AdminController';
        $method = 'securedAction';
        $reflClass = new \ReflectionClass($class);
        $reflMethod = $reflClass->getMethod($method);

        $context = Phake::mock('Crocos\SecurityBundle\Security\SecurityContext');
        Phake::when($context)->getForwardingController()->thenReturn("{$class}::loginAction");

        $this->assertFalse($matcher->isForwardingController($context, $reflClass, $reflMethod));
    }
}


text:
Q: Set ImageView orientation directly in Android? I understand that I can rotate an ImageView in Android by
matrix.postRotate(finalOrientation - initOrientation, width, height);

But I want to set it as finalOrientation directly instead of rotating it by the difference, finalOrientation - initOrientation.
So I am expecting something like:
matrix.setOrientation(finalOrientation);

How can I do that?

A: Perfect! thanks @Bette Devine!
I made a function just for convenience.
public Bitmap rotateBmp(Bitmap bmp){
    Matrix matrix = new Matrix();
    //set image rotation value to 90 degrees in matrix.
    matrix.postRotate(90);
    //supply the original width and height, if you don't want to change the height and width of bitmap.
    bmp = Bitmap.createBitmap(bmp, 0, 0, bmp.getWidth(),bmp.getHeight(), matrix, true);
    return bmp;
}

I had to do this with a downsized image. I got a "java.lang.OutOfMemoryError" when I tried to do this with a full size image. : (

A: Matrix matrix = new Matrix();
//set image rotation value to 90 degrees in matrix.
matrix.postRotate(90);
//supply the original width and height, if you don't want to change the height and width of bitmap.
Bitmap bMapRotate = Bitmap.createBitmap(bMap, 0, 0, newWidth, newHeight, matrix, true);

A: Please refer the following link:
http://docs.xamarin.com/guides/android/application_fundamentals/handling_rotation/

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Home Education Center Reports & Articles DC Releases Groundbreaking "Value of Solar" Study
Distributed Solar in the District of Columbia, Policy Options, Potential Value of Solar and Cost-Shifting District of Columbia
On April 12, 2017, the Office of the People's Counsel for the District of Columbia released two groundbreaking studies on the value of rooftop solar to DC residents. The analyses, which are the first to employ the emerging "Value of Solar" (VoS) methodology to assess the full range of costs and benefits associated with using distributed energy generation in Washington DC, came in response to a legislative directive by the DC City Council.
The reports also provide the most sophisticated analysis to date of the technical potential to generate solar electricity with the District's boundaries, the economics of producing solar in DC, and an assessment of the barriers to bringing the benefits of solar energy to lower-income Washingtonians.
As a well-recognized thought leader on these issues, with a strong knowledge of District solar policies and politics, the People's Counsel asked the Solar Institute in November 2016 to review draft versions of these reports and provide her with a written assessment discussing the veracity and suitability of the analysis used in the both reports, a comparison of the results with analogous reports conducted in comparable jurisdictions, and an evaluation of the resulting conclusions and their usefulness in District policymaking. The Institute also conducted an in-person briefing with the People's Counsel and key office staffers to share the results of our review and answer additional questions.
The two reports, "Distributed Solar in the District of Columbia, Policy Options, Potential Value of Solar and Cost-Shifting District of Columbia," by Synapse Energy Economics, Inc. and "Solar Generation Potential and of Distributed Energy Resources in Low-and Moderate-Income Communities in Washington, DC," by Jerome S. Paige & Associates, LLC contained a number of notable findings. First and foremost, the VoS analysis found that the societal total value for DC rooftop solar is 19.4 cents per kilowatt (between 2017–2040 and levelized with a 3 percent discount rate), considerably higher than the current retail price for electricity that solar system owners receive for selling their excess electricity to the grid. The Synapse analysis also found that solar could up to 20 percent of the District's power demands and that solar installations will top 200 MW over the next decade. However, a number of regulatory, financing, and educational hurdles remain, particularly in serving lower-income District communities.
Generating electricity from this sunlight could contribute to meeting up to 20 percent of the District's power demands of local homes and business
Solar generation is the least cost option to produce local energy compared with the cost of purchasing electricity generated from other energy sources.
The District needs to remove existing barriers in order to achieve its goal of 5 percent of all electricity coming from sites in the District solar by 2032, equivalent to reaching 550 MW solar capacity.
Significant financial incentives are generally available to customers wishing to install distributed generation, however, both SREC prices and program incentives can vary from year-to-year, creating uncertainty regarding payback periods for solar investments.
The Value of Solar analysis found that the utility system total value of solar is $132.66/MWh (2015$) and the societal total value is $194.40/MWh (2015$) (both calculations for 2017–2040 and levelized with a 3 percent discount rate).
The District has a maximum solar generation potential of 1700GWh (gigawatt), primarily from large multi-family-buildings, government, commercial and industrial buildings, although small residential rooftops accounting for 21 percent of the District's technical solar potential.
Over a 25-year study period, at current distributed solar penetration levels, the typical residential non-solar customer in the District would experience an additional cost of $0.28 per year on average due to distributed solar.
In 2016, the cost for a 4-kilowatt (kW) system was approximately $13,000. Even leasing arrangements through third parties generally require minimum credit scores or debt-to-income ratios, which can exclude many low-income customers.
GW Solar Institute
Tompkins Hall of Engineering,
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There are considerable risks to it.
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text:
Non Keo ou Mom Kaeo (mort en 1633) nom complet Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Manikya Kaeva Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha [Mom Kaeo], fut roi du royaume de Lan Xang entre 1627 et 1633

Biographie
Second fils du roi Thammikarath, Il monte sur le trône en 1627 après Photisarath II qui avait
succédé en 1623 à son frère aîné connu par son titre de Upanyuvarath. Son règne est marqué par les querelles et les troubles provoqués par divers prétendants au trône il meurt dès 1633 en laissant deux fils :

 prince (Chao Fa) Dharma [Ton], qui lui succède sous le nom de Tone Kham ou Upanyuvarath II
 prince (Chao Fa) Vijaya Vichai, qui succède à son frère.

Notes et références

Lien externe
   Royaume de Lan Xang

Non Keo
Décès en  1633
Décès au Laos
Roi du Lan Xang

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


From Friday 12th February and Sunday 14th February 2016 the second International Gasshuku took place. In 2015 the venue was Wantage, Hombu to the Vale Karate clubs. This year it was to be hosted by the Belgian contingent and so karateka from Italy and England travelled to Bruges in Belgium.
The proceedings started at 18:00 on the Friday with an instructor's gathering where we could meet each other and introduce ourselves. The aim of the Gasshuku has always been to be an inclusive and truly non political event, provided for the sole aim to pass on the love of karate by some exceptionally skilled karate instructors. So many groups claim to be non political but the Gasshuku demonstrably is: instructors and students from various JKA groups, the KUGB, the TSKA and SKIF joined together with no airs or graces and no feeling of superiority. When not teaching, the instructors took to the lines to train, acknowledging that we are all students of karate, no matter how much experience we may have. Last year one of the Gasshuku instructors, Sensei Paul Mitchell, said to me that we either learn or die. This is also my belief and it was evident that the instructors at this Gasshuku were certainly not dying!
It was an incredible mix. Each instructor had between 20 and 50 years experience. Some had a traditional focus, others a more practical approach and many had a strong competition background with World, European and National championship titles in kata and kumite (as well as a winner of the prestigious Nakayama Cup)!
The classes were split into four groups: black belts, brown belts, colored belts and children, so that instruction could be aimed appropriately, and the lessons started. After the initial warm-up, the Dan grades were treated to an initial session by Castellaro Sensei. We started off with some brown belt level basics, but of course performing them as Dan grades, so excellent focus, speed and timing were required. After just a few minutes of this I started to ache but then heard the inevitable word "faster". You can soon get to hate that word! After a drilling in this we moved on to some kata practise – Heian Shodan first. But obviously, being the senior class, Castellaro Sensei wasn't about to allow us an easy ride of things (as if – no kata is ever an easy ride if performed with the correct attitude), so we then proceeded to perform this kata 'ura', I.e. Mirror image. I personally practise that a lot so it wasn't too much of a problem, but we were then required to do the same with Bassai Dai – now there's a kata I don't practise ura much. We finished the session looking at some more advanced applications of shuto uke, Castellaro Sensei demonstrating them with typical panache.
There are two key elements to the Gasshuku. The first, obviously, is to foster international cooperation between karate groups and to share training techniques, ideas, and inspiration. The second is to make new friends and renew old friendships and so after training, a large group of us visited an all you can eat Asian restaurant. We ate, drank, talked, laughed and socialized for the rest of the evening.
Training on Saturday consisted of lessons by the English instructors (at least for the Dan grades) and first up was Jerome Sensei. The focus of this lesson was to use a "relaxed heaviness" to speed up our techniques without losing any power, and we did this with partners using various combinations, all seemingly simply but with many subtleties that differentiate a good practitioner from an excellent one. On each technique it was emphasised we should strike "through" the target, rather than merely at it.
During the second session, Parnell Sensei took the black belts through Kata Senka while I took the brown belt group through Kata Jion. We practised it a few times to make sure everyone knew it well enough, examining some of the detail in the kata before looking in more detail at its bunkai. I have long felt that the standard bunkai offered to many kata is actually worse than useless and counterproductive so I try to teach something that I feel would actually work or at least provide ideas that would work in practise.
I was to take the third senior session of the day. I started with neko ashi dachi, looking at the transition to the stance and correct body posture and alignment. I then went on to get the class performing more advanced defence to the standard jodan and chudan punches we begin to learn as karateka: I like that, because it ties in what we practise as beginners with what we should be practicing as advanced karateka, reminding us of our beginnings. Finally, I finished with an advanced kata – Junro Yondan – showing how the previous elements of the lesson were intertwined closely with the kata itself.
That afternoon, a group of us took a walk to Bruges where we felt we had to consume some of the things Belgium is famous for – chips, waffles, and Belgian beer. There have to be some vitamins in there somewhere, eh? The evening's socialization was at the bar attached to the leisure centre where a barbecue had been arranged. We ate, drank, laughed, sang, danced (yes, danced) and made merry until one by one we staggered to our beds ready for the final days training.
The senior grades started with a session from De Cloedt Sensei. I had hoped he would be (and indeed asked him to be) gentle on us, but it was not to be. We started with kumite drills as a warm up, and after several iterations of those we were fully warmed up! We then proceeded to work on tai sabaki, again changing partners frequently, building up some seemingly simple sparring techniques into those that though they seemed simple were actually very complicated. With each new drill we were treated to De Clout Sensei demonstrating what he wanted with an enviable grace. How does he move so well?
The final senior session was with Van De Walle Sensei. For the last ten years he has been coach to the Belgian national team and it showed. He had a knack of keeping everything light and exceptionally friendly but with a background feeling of knowing you needed to perform for this man. We practised more kumite techniques. When he demonstrated, the speed with which he moved was so blazingly quick it was almost dream like. I have trained with a few who possessed that speed – like Brennan Sensei. Enough said.
All too soon the second International Gasshuku was over. Once again, the standard shown by the instructors was incredible, the enthusiasm of the participants exceptional and the welcome by the host nation humbling. I personally want to thank everyone who taught, trained and helped organize the event. It really demonstrated karate at its best, with plenty of international cooperation and no egos at all.
The third International Gasshuku is already being planned. Personally, I can't wait!
Well done to all those who took part last night in the Vale Karate Pop-up Competition. After the event, someone came up to me and said that though they had lost they were okay with it. That was a bit of a shock to me – because, though they had not received a prize, they hadn't lost!
I'm not talking about some politically correct mumbo jumbo where "everyone's a winner". I think that is twee and life just isn't like that. Yet to my mind, every single participant last night won. Let me explain.
We start practising karate for a number of reasons: some (most?) to learn to fight or at least to defend ourselves, some because our children or friends are doing it, some to get fitter, meet people, gain confidence, co-ordination, etc., etc. Those that continue karate long after their initial objective has been met often do so for different reasons, and that is one of the true beauties of karate: it provides the practitioner with so many benefits and if your mind is open then there is always something to learn.
Karate has many facets and one of those is competition. Some may not like that facet, believing they are not good at competition or that is not one of the reasons for their practise of the art. Some may go further and feel that competition devalues the essence of karate which is, of course, martial in nature. But it is still present, and not liking it doesn't make it go away. I'm personally not a huge fan of competition myself, but – and this is a big but – I believe it can bring enormous benefits, and I'm not just talking about something for the wall or something to hang around your neck.
Participating in a competition puts you under a lot of pressure. You are in an essentially alien environment and have to focus on the task at hand. You cannot be put off by spectators. You need an awareness of your surroundings. You need to keep calm and not go to pieces under pressure. These are skills that are useful in many aspects of life, like working to a deadline on a project or, indeed, defending yourself from attack. Many who competed last night did so against their nature and experienced some fear about the process.
And in doing so I think they gained a lot. John Wayne is credited with saying Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. So congratulations to all those who saddled up last night. Most didn't win a prize, but I think you gained something far more important and long lasting.
While visiting Nevada in November 2008 I took the opportunity to train at a local traditional Shotokan Karate Club. I originally made contact with the club's instructor, Sensei James Tawatao through their impressive web site (www.lvshotokan.com). Their purpose built dojo was located a few minutes from the famous Las Vegas Strip. The varnished wooden floor training area was approximately 10m by 10m, mirrored and equipment with makiwara and free standing torso striking posts.
I trained at two adult lessons, one for mixed grades and the other for brown and black belts. I could not have made a better choice. Both the Instructor and students made me feel very welcome and the training regime was very high quality authentic shotokan. Sensei Tawatao very kindly agreed to be interviewed following one of the training sessions. A very enjoyable eye opening evening was had which was interspersed by additional contributions from two other club members which ran into the late hours on the rights and advantages of 'carrying' and 'toasting' any aggressors as a first resort rather than waiting for the distance to be closed! (But that's another story).
My Instructor, Master Osamu Ozawa was born in 1925 in Kobe, Japan. His family is believed to have descended from the famous Takeda samurai clan lineage. He started his karate training at the age of thirteen in December 1938 under Kenwa Mabuni, founder of the Shito-ryu karate. He trained under Master Mabuni for two years. In March 1942, at the age of 17, Master Ozawa entered Hosei University and was introduced to Shotokan karate when he joined the university karate team. In September 1944, Gichin Funakoshi promoted Master Ozawa to Shodan.
In October of 1944, Shihan Ozawa was drafted into the Japanese Navy where he enlisted as a Kamikaze pilot. In July 1945, Master Ozawa along with four others climbed into their planes to meet their final destiny. His plane crashed shortly after take off resulting with a punctured lung, broken eardrums and partial loss of vision. Slowly recovering from his injuries, Master Ozawa decided to go back to Hosei University in November 1946. He also started karate training again at the university. He graduated from Hosei University in March 1948 with a degree in economics.
In April 1949, the first organized collegiate karate demonstration was held in Tokyo where Master Ozawa and other legendry karate-ka met to discuss the future of University karate. Contributors included Isao Obata, Fusajiro Takagi and Shuntaro Itoh from Keio University, Masatoshi Nakayama, Masatomo Takagi and Hidetaka Nishiyama from Takushoku University, Taiji Kase from Waseda University, Genshin Hironishi, Hiroshi Noguchi and Shigeru Egami from Senshu. At this meeting, the foundation was laid for the formation of the Japan Karate Association. Master Ozawa continued to be actively involved and in 1953, the JKA was organized and received official government recognition as the karate governing body for Japan.
In November of 1954, Master Ozawa sponsored the biggest budo demonstration of its time in Japan held at an auditorium in Kobe. Over 10,000 spectators came to watch the demonstration by such prominent instructors such as Master Nakayama who later became the technical director of the JKA, Master Okazaki, and many others. Shortly after his successful karate demonstration, Master Ozawa was officially appointed the Chief Instructor of the Kansai branch of the JKA, which consists of Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto and also passed his 4th degree black belt. In May of 1962, Master Ozawa received his 5th degree black belt diploma from Mr. Takagi, the Managing Director of the JKA.
In December 1964 Master Ozawa arrived in the US and subsequently opened a dojo in San Gabriel, California in 1967. In 1974 he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and opened the honbo dojo in 1981. A month before opening, an inaugural Traditional Karate Tournament with only 30 competitors was held to publicize and promote the new dojo. This annual tournament has grown to be one of the largest and most prestigious tournaments of its kind in the world. At its peak the event has attracted more than 2000 competitors from 25 to 40 countries.
During the January 1986 tournament, the International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) delegate from Japan presented Master Ozawa with his 8th degree black belt. Prince Higashikuni, president of IMAF and uncle of the emperor Hirohito signed the certificate; this was especially significant to Master Ozawa. Only four other people had ever been honored with such a certificate – Hironori Ohtsuka, founder of Wado-ryu karate, Gogen Yamaguchi, founder of Goju-ryu karate, Hiroyuki Ohtsuka, successor to his father as head of Wado-ryu and Hirokazu Kanazawa, the head of Shotokan Karate International.
In 1995, Master Ozawa passed the responsibility of the dojo's future to me, in conjunction with 3 other senior grades. In April 1998, Master Ozawa hosted the 18th Annual Traditional Karate Tournament but two days later died of natural causes. The large annual tournament is now known as the Ozawa Cup international tournament and continues the legacy of Shihan Osamu Ozawa.
Sensei, from my own experience of over 20 years training in the UK with a number of the large associations I have never witnessed the reciting of the dojo kun. Each of these associations has been party to either first or second generations of Japanese instruction and periodically host Japanese instructors. Despite this, the reciting of any code of ethics has been missing and generally I believe is very rare. Can you tell me a little of your own Dojo Kun and how it is applied.
Jinkaku kansei ni tsutomu beshi – Endeavour to build your character. This ideal states that priority should be given to building one's character rather than strength, speed, technical skill or fighting ability.
Makoto no michi o mamoru beshi – Have fidelity in seeking a true way. The 'way' should not be a route of self indulgence, weakness or a victim of their own commercial, ego or elevated rank fantasies.
Doryoku no seishin o yashinau beshi – Cultivate a spirit of endeavor and perseverance. Training should never be treated as an amusement or a distraction from life's serious aspects. Those in a hurry to get results seldom learn quickly.
Reigi o omonzu beshi – Always act with good manners. This can avoid inflaming poor situations but should not be considered a weakness. According to the teachings of Confucius acting with good manners should be a reciprocal process.
Kekki no y o imashimu beshi – Refrain from violent and uncontrolled behavior. Force may be used if morally correct for self defense or protection of the innocent.
These concepts point the way towards the ultimate aim of training which is mastery of one's self. It should be chanted with strength and never mumbled insincerely so that the oath penetrates the mind of all participants. Technique is on no importance as the spirit must be developed and disciplined allowing the karate-ka to begin to make progress in the 'way'.
Sensei, I noticed that the senior kyu grade attending the adult beginners and intermediates session was wearing a blue belt. Please would you describe the belt hierarchy.
Within our grading structure the colour of the belts gradually darken as the student progresses. Having achieved black belt status, with time the colour of the belt fades returning to white and the circle (of life) is complete, emphasising the need for the experienced karate-ka to maintain the mind of a beginner.
Sensei, please tell me a little about your club, its affiliations, and your sources of continual learning.
Our purpose built dojo was opened in 1981. I together with 3 other Seniors and a number of Assistant Instructors teach 7 formal adult, 4 child and 2 new student orientation classes every week amounting to a little under 20 hours in total. The club is predominantly made up of adult members and totals around 100. This is a little on the low side compared to historic numbers of about 130. There has been a proliferation of other Martial Art clubs being established in Las Vegas and it probably now amounts to 150+.
I do not teach at any other locations or have any satellite clubs. The Las Vegas Shotokan Karate Club is a stand alone organization and is not a member of any other larger association. However our links and credibility established by Shihan Ozawa is second to none. I am mentored by Sensei Takayuki Mikami1 and Sensei Fumio Demura2 both of which are honored guests at the Ozawa Cup. Members of our dojo and I attended a Hokubei Karate-Do Shihankai Budosai (Japanese Karate Masters Association of North America) seminar last month. This featured courses by Master Mikami and Master Morio Higaonna (Goju Ryu). Both of which lined up and trained as the other taught.
Sensei, you mentioned your very popular international competition earlier in the interview. Please can you tell me a little more about the event.
The 2008 event, held in March of this year was the 28th continuous competition that Las Vegas Shotokan Karate Dojo has hosted. The event has always been very well supported by a number of different styles and a significant number of very senior instructors. It has come a long way since the inaugural event that attracted just 30 competitors and 6 instructors. At its peak 2000 competitors from 30 countries have taken part over the four day event. This is testament to the respect and appreciation that Shihan Ozawa had within the karate international community.
This year's schedule of events started on a Thursday with registration and a lecture by Sensei Demura. Friday included two further seminars from notable seniors followed by the Ozawa Cup Banquet. Tournament events started on the Saturday with the completion of all Kyu events and the elimination rounds for Dan grades. A children's Easter egg hunt preceded the Dan grade finals on the Sunday.
Categories included Japanese and Okinawan kata, Shobu Ippon kumite for the preliminaries followed by Shobu Nihon kumite for the finals, WKF kumite and Kobudo for both individual and team events. As you can see from the tournament brochure the Ozawa Cup is a massive event and is very well supported through sponsorship. It occupies a significant amount of my time throughout the whole year to organize and is never far from my thoughts. Incidentally Sensei Aidan Trimble and members of his Federation from the UK has attended the event in previous years.
Sensei, I would like to thank you and your students for your kind hospitality. I would like to reciprocate your kindness and offer you or your students the opportunity to visit my Dojo near Oxford in the UK if the opportunity ever materialises in the future.
– Sensei Takayuki Mikami 8th Dan Shotokan karate. Recognised as the first graduate from the JKA Instructor's programme established under Masters Nakayama and Funakoshi. Named as American Instructor of the year in 1990, elected President of Japanese Karate Masters Association of North America from 1995, and Chief Instructor of JKA American Federation from July 2008.
– Sensei Fumio Demura 9th Dan Shito-Ryu Karate. Renown for his kobudo abilities (weapons). Many film appearances including the Karate Kid series. Chief Instructor of Shito Ryu Itosu Kai USA and President of Shito Ryu Genbu Kai International.
In April of this year (2011) I was fortunate to be able to spend a week on the Belgian coast in Knokke Heist, and whilst there I took the opportunity of contacting the local Shotokan club (Nippon Karate Knokke Heist) to enquire about some karate training. I was told I would be very welcome to turn up with gi and train – and so I did. My first evening's training was the Tuesday "over 30" session led by Sensei Wim. I introduced myself to him before the class and was immediately introduced to all those assembled in a warm and friendly manner. The oldest in the class was over 70, but you would not have known this from his karate, which he practiced with gusto. I was a little concerned (only a little) that language might have been a problem, since I speak very little French and no Flemish at all, but it turned out that it was not a problem at all – everyone spoke very good English when needed, and of course oi tsuki is oi tsuki wherever you go.
The club's dojo is a nicely lit room in a very decent sport center in Knokke Heist with a very good sprung floor. If I ever felt that an "over 30 class" (my first, by the way – a nice idea) was to be an easy class that feeling would soon be dispelled. After a good warm up and stretch, Sensei Wim took us through some basic oi tsuki and then uchi ude uke followed by gyaku tsuki combinations in kokutsu dache, stepping forward and then back. This was followed by partner work (in threes, with one in the middle) practicing using the uchi uke to block a partner's oi tsuki and then striking the partner with a gyaku tsuki.
We then practiced juji uke gedan followed by juji uke jodan, continuing with tetsui then oi tsuki, first on our own and then with a partner providing attacks that we were able to block and counter. By this stage, of course, it was obvious that a particular kata was looming.
We finally moved on to a shuto gedan uke / gedan nukite / manje gamai combination, first individually and then again with partners.
Then all this was put together in Heian Godan which we practiced first slowly and then quickly. All too soon the lesson had ended, but this was not to be the end of the evening. It is a tradition for those present to head upstairs to the sport center bar after training for a chat and a beer – and as those who know me will verify: I am always one for tradition. A couple of Belgian Beers later I cycled back to my accommodation, feeling very much more tired than when I arrived.
On the following day it was the turn of Sensei Stephanie to take the class. Again I received a very warm welcome and found her English to be excellent (as was the English of everyone in the club – putting second (third?) languages of the Brits to shame). After a similar warm up and stretch we started with some basic oi tsuki punches and then mae geris. I have generally found that if an instructor introduces kicks into a lesson early on then I know two things about them. They like kicking and they are invariably good at them, and this was certainly true of Sensei Stephanie (though this should not have come as a surprise since she is an ex world kumite champion). After ushiro ashi mae geri we moved on to mae ashi/ushiro ashi mae geri and then a similar suite of kicks with mawashi geri.
Then on to partner work. Sensei Stephanie had been joined by Sensei Peter, the instructor of the nearby Brugge club (a member of the Belgian national team) and I was fortunate enough to be assigned him as my training partner. We started with oi tsuki attack (partner step back and block with nagashi uki), step back and block with nagashi uki (partner oi tsuki) then oi tsuki (partner step back and block with nagashi uki followed by gyaku tsuki). We then practiced mawashi geri, ura mawashi geri and ushiro mawashi geri, all jodan with our partners providing the necessary targets. It was great to have a partner who could so obviously kick well but who also kicked with excellent control, inspiring me to try to match his speed and accuracy. Every now and then Sensei Stephanie would stop the class to demonstrated some aspect of the kicks, which she performed with speed, grace and an obvious underlying strength – if I were to use one word to describe her kicks I think it would be panache.
(At this stage it would be remiss of me not to mention Ellie, just turned 9, just turned 3rd kyu. Though she had never before practiced ura mawashi geri, let alone ushiro mawashi geri, she nevertheless just "went for it", ably helped by Sensei Stephanie. Though she ended the class very tired, her attitude and spirit was something many children – and some adults – could learn from).
After this partner work we split into pairs for some jiyu kumite work. I started with Sensei Peter and thoroughly enjoyed his technique, sometimes defensive, sometimes offensive, always controlled and good spirited. After a little while we swapped partners and I was treated to a spar with Sensei Stephanie and was able to see at first hand just why she had been a world champion. Rarely have I been able to spar with karateka of such ability.
Finally we stopped sparring and finished the lesson with some kata (Heian Nidan and then Heian Godan, first slowly to make sure the technique was correct and then quickly, as if performing for a grading). All too soon the karate had finished and it was time to cycle back to my accommodation.
I found the rest of my week in Knokke Heist was spent on somewhat of a high. I had been made very welcome by some very decent karateka and had spent several enjoyable hours in their company practicing a common passion. I would like to thank Senseis Wim and Stephanie for such a wonderful time. I look forward to the next time I can visit your excellent dojo (and once again sample some of Belgium's wonderful beer).
PS. I do find it interesting that, though we all share the same karate roots, there can be so many differences in etiquette between dojos. In the UK, it is usually the instructor who gets students to kneel and then bow to the dojo and fellow students and then the most senior student who issues the command "sensei ni rei" (sometimes, bowing to the dojo is omitted). The instructor then issues the command to stand (in English). Yet in the Belgian club, affiliated to the JKA, the senior student issues all commands, including the final "stand" command – in Japanese (kritsu). Obviously there is no right or wrong – they are just different, but it is a curious thing given we all have the same roots. Chinese whispers in a Japanese art, maybe.
Since June 2009 I have been fortune enough to regularly visit the south of France as part of 'my day job'. With translation help from Kerry & Big Dave's wife, Barbara a traditional shotokan karate club was identified just outside Aix-en-Provence (Milles). Contact was initially made by email and an invitation soon followed. From my very first visit I was made extremely welcome and between my extremely poor French, their excellent English, intermittent Spanish and Japanese we have managed to communicate with each other.
Sensei Claude Marcou 3rd Dan is the Club's instructor. His lessons are very traditional/self defence orientated and he pointed out to me at a very early stage that they did not take part in competition training or events. 7 hours of lessons occur per week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays in a purpose built dojo that also accommodates Judo and Kung Fu lessons. The building has changing and viewing areas and a fully matted training area of approximately 9m by 15m.
The club is a member of the FKTAMAF – Fédération de Karaté Traditionnel et Arts Martiaux Assimiles en France (The Federation of Traditional Karate and Martial Art Clubs in France). Sensei Irahim El Harhomy 7th Dan is the Technical Director of this organisation (based in Paris) and is the French representative of the ITKF. He was one of the founding members of the Egyptian karate scene and has been affiliated with Sensei Nishiyama since 1970. While at the University of Physical Education and Sport in Cairo he was commended for the development of karate in Egypt. In 1979, he left Egypt and settled in France. He founded his dojo in Paris in 1984 which has 500 practicing members. He has coached the national team of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco. He founded his traditional association in 1996 that has nearly 5000 members. He is Chairman of the Commission on Training Instructors and an official representative in international events organized by the ETKF and ITKF. In January 2000, he received the Bronze Medal of Merit awarded by the French Ministry of Youth and Sports for all services rendered. In December 2003 he successfully obtained his 7th Dan awarded by Sensei Nishiyama.
Having suspended dojo training over the Christmas break, the annual pilgrimage to Dragon Hill occurred the day after Boxing Day to blow away the cobwebs. Unfortunately the numbers were disappointingly low, probably not helped by the change in proposed date by Sensei (Sorry Baz and Kerry!), Karen swapping the muddy windy hill for the comforts of the local gym and John forgetting what day it was!
The session focused in detail on Kanku Sho with repetitions being interspersed with bunkai partner work. Sensei pointed out that the order of the kata moves wasn't an exact sequence for the bunkai response. Rather the kata choreographed various alternative initial responses to similar attacks from various directions (i.e. the first three morote uke moves). The follow up second movement for a bunkai application would then be one of the appropriate handed oi-tzuki aimed at the now tuned, exposed base of the skull. Followed by an optional controlling collar or hair grab with a backwards wrenching of the neck corresponding to the two leading forearm twists (mae ude hineri).
Additionally the kata includes contingency responses that may or may not be required. Further more the success of the first bunkai counter attack may in itself render the following sequenced kata move as inappropriate and/or unworkable. A good example of this being the jump following the backhand block (ushiro haishu uke) and ending in the going to ground position (hikui fuse no shisei) on all fours. The bunkai application of this sequence could be interpreted as an initial head level block on the inside line and simultaneous leaning away from the strike followed by an immediate crescent kick aimed at the attackers rear leg which if successful causes the opponents upper body and hence head to drop to a low level.
The next bunkai move naturally continues with a low level knife hand strike with either leading or rear hand strikes to either the back or side of the neck. The change in kata direction ideally positions both uke-te (defender) and tzuki-te (attacker) for this finishing blow. Alternatively if the crescent kick is blocked/misses the anti-clockwise rotation continues allowing the next sequenced kata technique of ushiro geri to be applied.
Alternative bunkai themes based on the manji-gamae and morote tzuki combinations were then practised. As the kata defines, bunkai movement is not only towards the attacker but also a side facing orientation is adopted. A jodan attacked is first parried from the inside line with nagashi uke and the same defending arm subsequently blocks a chudan punch from the attackers opposite hand as the uke-te slides in and classically adopts back stance. A large circling movement of the leading hand to the rear hip causes the opponent to lurch forward with a shoulder lock being applied. The transfer from back to horse riding stance prevents the attackers leading foot moving forward to counter the shoulder lock. A powerful wrenching of the neck in a backwards direction could then be envisaged corresponding to the kata's morote tzuki movement.
A second theme involved the tuning of the attacker following the nagashi uke using the leverage of a gedan barai on the first thrown punch. Immediately followed by the rear am of the defender circling and initially applying a neck crank with the potential of progressing to a choke.
Striking shield drills then followed to keep everyone warm with multi-strikes on alternative angled shields using mae-geri, kekomi, mawashi geri, ushiro geri, gyaku tzuki, uraken, tetsui and shuto techniques.
After a short break to share Big Dave's thermo-flask of sweet coffee several advanced kata were practised; Jitte, Bassai Sho, Nijushiho, Gankaku & Chinte. Despite best efforts the balance and coordination during the single legged stance in the later two katas was a sight to behold in the blustery and muddy conditions.
A big thank you to Barbara and Ellie for provide a beautiful warming lunchtime stew and afternoon Christmas game.
There are conflicting stories concerning the origins of Ten no Kata. With its repeated use of the Fudo Dachi it was probably defined in whole from a play on various drills by Yoshitaka Funakoshi. There is evidence to suggest that Yoshitaka was almost expelled from the dojo for formulating his own pattern. Apparently in his father's opinion this was very disrespectful. However at some point Master Funakoshi must have endorsed its inclusion within the original Shotokan syllabus as it was fully detailed in the 1943 publication 'Karate Nyumon' (entering the gate of karate) and listed in the first English translated publication of Karate Do Kyohan in 1958 . Within these publications it specifies that Ten no Kata was the product of many years of research and when practised regularly, results in the even development of the body correctly.
It is clear to most karate-ka today that Ten no Kata is seldom practised. Its decline in popularity undoubtedly stemmed from the JKA's stance of disassociating themselves and Master Funakoshi from the Kata. However with its sequencing of punches stepping forward and blocking techniques stepping backwards with counter attacks visually it's the strongest direct link between kata and kumite and allows the practitioner to fundamentally establish the correct breathing sequences. Partner work of the pattern is known as Hachi Ho Kumite (8 blocks). Counter attacks predominantly (but not exclusively) rely on the bread and butter technique of gyaku tzuki to either jodan or chudan levels.
Well I looked out the window with delight, the grey drizzling clouds of the last few days had gone, just as the man on the BBC weather report the night before had predicted. The sky was blue with some wisps of white cloud and the sun was shining. Fantastic.
Although it was early I decided to shovel beans and toast into my mouth in an attempt to kick start my body ready for a bit of training, I had deliberately rested my knee (yes that is my excuse) for the last week in an attempt to stop it hurting every time I did a front stance.
Looking at the time I knew I should leave, I hadn�t been to Uffington White Horse Hill for some time and wondered how long it would take me to get there.
I got in the car and put the tape on and sang along as I am only allowed to do when on my own, the heater was up to full and the temperature gauge didn�t read much above 2 degrees! Anyway, I hadn�t seen the sun for some days and it had been another wet Christmas so I was happy.
As I rounded a bend and the song I was happily singing to reached a crescendo, I had to put the brakes on as I came up behind a lorry. A lorry on the Sunday morning after Christmas going my way, great.
I arrived at White Horse Hill 4 minutes late. As the training was my idea I thought that this was fashionable but the crew from Wantage standing in the wind seem to think I was a lightweight! I wasn�t the last to arrive and eventually we were ready to go.
A light jog up the hill got the blood pumping, but as I looked across the impressive view of my local countryside I realised that there was a large dark cloud heading our way. The wind was getting stronger (I have lived by the Ridgeway all of my life and visit it frequently, only once have I ever been up there without a wind) and it was bitingly cold. We stopped half way up for a quick couple of Heian kata and then continued our jog to the top. Just before the hill fort itself, where the incline becomes much steeper we stopped again for another kata and as soon as we finished we raced, in a manner of speaking, to the top.
Standing on top of a hill fort a couple of days after Christmas with a wind (that must have had a very large negative number as its chill factor) rushing over and through my body, something occurred to me. My lack of exercise of late (remember I was resting my knee) had made me feel rather tired, well more than tired, I was already knackered! But I decided we must carry on as it was too cold to stop!
After another kata we broke out the pads. As organiser I had managed to avoid carrying them up the hill, and we started punching them. It was so cold up there I couldn�t feel my hands, or at least I thought I couldn�t till I did something to my finger, oh yes I could feel it then. I�d caught it a week or so before and now I�d done something more to it.
After checking it wasn�t broken we decided to carry on with kicking. Front kicks, side kicks, roundhouse kicks, back kicks, it is interesting to see peoples technique change when the floor is muddy slippery and covered in sheep droppings. Then we decided to go for the jumping front and side kicks, I was glad it wasn�t my pads that were being redecorated in faeces!
Then I slipped as I did a flying side kick and twisted my ankle, not badly mind you, and as I thought how this had been a stupid idea, it started to snow. Yes snow. I didn�t see Michael bloody Fish say anything about any snow. It wasn�t heavy and it wasn�t settling, but it was snow.
So then we put the pads away and did some one step sparring, I though it may give people an idea of how differing ground conditions could affect the way your techniques are delivered. This obviously gave Paul an idea as he then started doing take downs and grappling his partner. The enthusiasm caught and we were all doing it, luckily today�s washing powders can deal with all types of stain!
When we had managed to roll around in everything we could find we decided to do another kata or two before heading off back down the hill. As we did the wind and another flurry of snow laughed in our faces which I am sure had frozen into masks of pain by that stage.
We said goodbye to the two die hards (idiots) who had cycled up and jogged off down the hill stopping for another kata or two. Then we jogged off to the car park and out of the killer wind.
Back in the car park I eagerly accepted some tea from someone who really deserved a medal and wondered if I�d ever feel my hands again. After a photo and a bit of a chat it was time to go home to get back to Christmas couch potatoism that I had for some stupid reason shunned for the last hour or so.
Eventually I got home and warmed up, my finger was OK but the back of my hand was heavily swollen for a couple of days. I think the others enjoyed it as well, in a strange sort of way. Now all I need is an idea for next year.