NEWS

Autumn Camp 2024. Mount Katsuragi Climbing & Training

This year we held our first-ever mountain climbing training session.

We hiked up challenging mountain paths, always aware of where our teammates were and helping each other along. The breathtaking views of the world below, seen through breaks in the trees and mountain clearings, left us in awe. The crisp, blue air drifting through the dense layers of trees and the soft earth underfoot felt purifying. Surrounded by the chirping of birds and insects, grateful for each other’s company, we pushed ourselves up the steep slopes—a strenuous yet deeply healing time.

Looking around, we saw teammates struggling to catch their breath, making unfamiliar sounds as they climbed, while others encouraged them with laughter. In places where we had to press our bodies against the ground to move forward, some joked, “They should put a width restriction sign here!” and crab-walked through with their stomachs tucked in. The climb was a blend of relaxation, laughter, and rigorous training.

At the summit, we immediately started training! The autumn chill at the top of the mountain made for a refreshing workout, and even as we got covered in dirt from takedown practices, we didn’t mind at all. We continued training until dusk, soaking in the contrast of pampas grass against the setting sun. Finally, we hurried to take the ropeway back down the mountain.

Our first mountain training session was a resounding success.

September Seminar by GM Mildred Mutya Nakamura

On September 28th, after the autumn equinox had passed and the weather had finally cooled down a bit, we held a seminar.

From white belts to black belts, we conducted unique training sessions that are only available in seminars.

Some white belt students, excitedly saying, "I started Kali because I admired the karambit knife!" were thrilled to learn the actual techniques. Their eyes sparkled as they exclaimed, "This is awesome! So cool!"

This seminar also welcomed complete beginners, including some participants who said, "Today is my first time holding a stick."

For these beginners, every part of our regular training, the instructor's words, and our attitude seemed fresh and new. They seemed thoroughly satisfied, saying, "That was so much fun!"

Naturally, participants with colored belts and black belts were also very satisfied with the content. We covered the basics of sticks, knives, and disarming techniques, as well as takedowns and kata practice.

Anyo (Kata) practice, especially, is — no matter how many decades you repeat the same forms, the more you delve into it, the more you realize there’s still room for evolution. It’s a type of training without bottom, without an end, with no satisfaction in one’s current state. Even advanced practitioners can feel humbled when comparing their imagined movements with their actual movements in videos.

Ultimately, this seminar was a reminder that, whether beginners, black belts, or seasoned practitioners, we all seek training, enjoy the journey, and work to strengthen our hearts.

MFFAA in the Philippines news!

Annual MFFAA Summer Camp

Annual Summer Camp Held!

This year’s annual summer camp was held over two scorching days in the height of summer!

On the first day, we had intense indoor training. This year, we practiced Punta y Daga (Knife & Sword) as well as the bare hands and knife forms, making it a high-level session.

First-time summer camp participants also practiced with excitement, saying, "This is fun!"

On the second day, we headed to the now-familiar Maiko Park! Training was held in the pine forest with the ocean right in front of us.

On this day, we practiced Bankaw (six-foot staff) and Tabak-Toyok (nunchaku)!

Especially with Bankaw, it’s a large weapon that can only be practiced outdoors, making it a perfect fit for outdoor training.

While the training was tough, it was also incredibly fun and fulfilling!

In addition to the joy of training, we also enjoyed summer activities, making it a truly fulfilling two days.

We attended Pistang Pilipino 2024 / Philippine Independence Day 2024!

MFFAA team performed at this commemorative ceremony celebrating the very important event of Philippine independence!

We played a very important role in the event’s opening. Distinguished guests included prominent figures representing the Philippines and major corporations, making it a highly noticeable position.

The performance itself was fleeting. In that brief moment, we fully showcased the charm of Kali, and performing the Filipino national fighting art at a celebration of Philippine independence was a very proud moment that was not only nerve-wracking but also immensely enjoyable.

On the day of the event, we also participated in a parade. We marched through the streets, waving sticks and the Philippine flag. There were also many other attractions, such as singers performances and a cute princess contest, making the event jam-packed! Various booths were set up, and our members were enjoying the event when we were suddenly called together! Wondering what was happening, we were invited to the main viewing area with the dignitaries because our performance was so well-received, and we were served hors d’oeuvres!

As we gratefully enjoyed this amazing experience, MFFAA was called once again. To our surprise, the parade itself was not just a performance but part of the event, and we won the first place!!!

We received a prize in the name of the Philippine government!!!

This tremendous honor of participating and receiving an award is the result of our training, and we were filled with joy and gratitude for the recognition of our efforts.

It was a very enjoyable eveMFFAA team performed at this commemorative ceremony celebrating the very important event of Philippine independence!

We played a very important role in the event’s opening. Distinguished guests included prominent figures representing the Philippines and major corporations, making it a highly noticeable position.

The performance itself was fleeting. In that brief moment, we fully showcased the charm of Kali, and performing the Filipino national fighting art at a celebration of Philippine independence was a very proud moment that was not only nerve-wracking but also immensely enjoyable.

On the day of the event, we also participated in a parade. We marched through the streets, waving sticks and the Philippine flag. There were also many other attractions, such as singers performances and a cute princess contest, making the event jam-packed! Various booths were set up, and our members were enjoying the event when we were suddenly called together! Wondering what was happening, we were invited to the main viewing area with the dignitaries because our performance was so well-received, and we were served hors d’oeuvres!

As we gratefully enjoyed this amazing experience, MFFAA was called once again. To our surprise, the parade itself was not just a performance but part of the event, and we won the first place!!!

We received a prize in the name of the Philippine government!!!

This tremendous honor of participating and receiving an award is the result of our training, and we were filled with joy and gratitude for the recognition of our efforts.

It was a very enjoyable event, so if you have the opportunity, please join us next year!nt, so if you have the opportunity, please join us next year!

MFFAA team’s trip to the Filipino Martial Arts Mecca - the Philippines!

The MFFAA team from Japan has participated in a Kali event held in the Philippines, the homeland of Kali, Arnis, Eskrima under the guidance of our Master - the founder and head master instructor, Master Mildred Mutya Nakamura, from February 23, 2024, to March 3, 2024, for 10 days.

Spending days from morning till night in intensive practice, you might think it was tiring and tough, but instead, all of us were constantly excited, thinking, "I want to do more!" "There isn't enough time!" "I want to get better!" "I want to practice with many different people!”

This event brought together filipino martial arts practitioners from around the world who dedicate their daily practice to mastering Kali as their fighting art, featuring three dream-like plans where a very small number of Grand Masters (GMs), including our Master Mildred Mutya Nakamura, scattered around the world, gathered to provide intensive training.

For the first two days, we participated in the "Seminar & Pal BlackBelt Recognition 3rd Matt Gathering Lakan/Dayang" event in Manila, and the final night was the "2nd Bayanihan HEROES OF FMA", followed by the "10th FMA World Festival" in Batangas for the remaining days.

The magnificence of the fellow participants from around the world, was moving. People gathered from over 20 countries. Despite differences in language, culture, gender, age, nationality, physique, and race, we didn’t have any communication difficulties. Even without a common language, our hearts were definitely connected in practice.

"Don't worry, as long as you have a stick, you don't need to care about language. It'll work out." As our Master told us before the trip. And it worked out.

The opening of the first event was actually the "Philippine National Anthem" performed by our MFFAA team. We managed to fulfill our important role in front of the locals, despite being nervous.

The final night was the "2nd Bayanihan HEROES OF FMA". We all wore ethnic costumes and had a party. With legislators and GMs gathered, we performed demonstrations and were featured on local news. It was a fun time with a dazzling party and a movie featuring the GMs! We enjoyed dancing, receiving participation certificates, and having a great time.

The third event moved to a resort hotel with a private beach, where we practiced in the gymnasium and beach! We were welcomed upon arrival with live music, tropical welcome drinks, and cold towels. We enjoyed a dinner on the beach with a live performance by a famous singer and a fire show, savored the sea, and thoroughly enjoyed our main practice sessions.

The tour ended in a flash with a gala night party, where we wore ethnic costumes for demonstrations. We enjoyed delicious food, ran around to get signatures from all the GMs on our participation certificates, and had a fun time until the end.

But not just focused on practice, we also enjoyed the Philippines, the homeland of the founder of Mutya Filipino Fighting Arts Academy, Master Mildred Mutya Nakamura. We tried dining at local restaurants, spontaneously stopped at fruit stalls that seemed straight out of a movie, visited the Philippines' largest shopping mall, enjoyed gun firing practice under the guidance of professional instructors, saw the biggest church in Asia, visited a historical museum and saw a famous volcanic lake. It was an incredibly intense time. Since returning, all participants have been more motivated about Kali, Arnis, Eskrima eager to improve, and looking forward to practice daily for the next event after two years.

To all friends who practice Kali, we can say now “You definitely should participate if you have a chance! It will change you!"

I. September 12th Nagoya PCG Introduces Arnis to the Naka Ward Police

Personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in Nagoya and members of the Naka Ward Police joined together at the Naka Ward Police Headquarters on 12 September 2023 to participate in an introductory lesson to arnis, the Philippines’ martial art, under the guidance of GM Mildred Nakamura, the founder and headmaster instructor of Mutya Filipino Fighting Arts

The activity is part of the Consulate’s cultural diplomacy program intended to promote the Philippine martial art to the Japanese people. It also doubles as a Gender and Development (GAD) activity aimed at breaking gender stereotypes, with Filipina arnis instructor leading the training of the members of the Naka Ward Police Force. The Naka Ward Police has been a reliable partner of the Consulate in addressing cases related to domestic violence.

Prior to the activity, Consul General Roy B. Ecraela received GM Mildred Nakamura with her two assistants Guro Vladislav Volkhin, Lakan Guro Tadashi Nakamura and the General Adviser Hanshi Masami Nakamura at his office.

We are looking forward to working together again with the Consulate General of the Philippines and Japan Police department!

II. Recently the Mutya Filipino Fighting Arts Family were very busy, as we were honoured to demonstrate the Filipino fighting arts in several big events in Osaka and Aichi prefectures:

8-26-2023 Demonstration in Q’s Mall Morinomiya, Osaka

9-30-2023 Demonstration in Otori Ario, Otori

10-7-2023 Demonstration of MFFAA during the Second World Festival in Aichi, Nagoya, representing the Filipino Fighting Arts as the part of the traditional culture of the Philippines

10-8-2023 demonstration in the Minato Arts Festival, Osaka

III. We also have many upcoming events this year:

1.Demonstration in Nagoya, 12-16-2023

2. Big seminar of Filipino Fighting Arts conducted by GM Mildred Nakamura in Osaka, 12-24-2023

MFFAA Summer Camp July 29-30th, 2023

Thanks to all participants!　It was a great two days event full of practice and joy!

MFFAA family is going to the Philippines from Japan!

MFFAA family members will participate in three big international filipino martial events in 2024:

Modern Arnis Festival February 25-26th
Bayanihan Heroes and Legends of FMA
The 10th FMA World Festival

See you in the Philippines!

Coming Event: MFFAA Summer Camp 2023

Two days training event in two different locations!
Don’t hesitate to contact us for joining!

Mutya Filipino Fighting Arts exhibition at Philippine Friendship Fair 2023, Nagoya

Seminar&Training, January 14th, 2023

Thanks to all participants!　

2022.11.26. Mutya Filipino Fighting Arts Academy Kali Arnis Eskrima Congratulations to Black Belt Examinees

2022.11.12. Mutya Filipino Fighting Arts Academy Kali Arnis Eskrima Passing Color Belt Examinees

Seminar&Training, October 9th, 2022

Thanks to all participants!　Seminar&Training, October 9th, 2022

Outdoor Training, July 17th, 2022

Thanks to all participants!　Outdoor Training, July 17th, 2022

Outdoor Training, May 29th, 2022

Thanks to all participants!

Colors Exam, May 28th, 2022

Congratulations to all the winners of the virtual tournament:

Guro Yamane

Guro Vladislav

Dayang Sakamoto

Lakan Tadashi Nakamura

Mr. Naohisa Morita

It’s a very prestigious result for us, observed in all over the world.

Keep moving forward and doing our best.

And remember: teamwork leads to the success of the team. And the success of the team is the success of everyone.

Don’t forget the beginner’s heart and be always open to the new knowledge.

Be strict to yourself and kind to the others.

International Presas Legacy Tournament, February 2022

Congratulations MFFAA Team for winning the following!

Lakan Tadashi Nakamura- silver medalist- Unang Anyo - 18 to 30 years old
Lakan Tadashi Nakamura - Anyo Punyo - Silver Medalist -18 to 30 yrs old
Lakan Tadashi Nakamura - Tire Skills Blade Training - Silver Medalist -18 to 30 yrs old
Guro Hironori Yamane- Unang anyo - Gold - 31 to 45 yrs
Guro Hironori Yamane- Gold - anyo punyo
Guro Hironori Yamane Anyo Abaniko-Gold medalist - 31 to 45 yrs
Dayang Kumiko Sakamoto Unang Anyo - Gold Medalist Female 46 years old and above
Dayang Kumiko Sakamoto Anyo punyo - Gold medalist Female 46 years old and above
Dayang Kumiko Sakamoto Anyo abaniko - Gold medalist Female 46 years old and above
Mix Categories: Anyo Abaniko
1. Guro Hironori Yamane - Gold medalist

2 Dayang Kumiko Sakamoto- Bronze Medalist