Being 12:00 hrs on Sunday, Michael Calandra sensei ended the Kobudo seminar, the last official activity of the event called IWKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019, LONDON UK (Click here for further details) that took place from July 25 to 28 at the Redbridge Sports & Leasure Center’s facilities in London, England.
The event that featured an exceptional logistic deployment of the Gosshin Isshinryu Karate organization, led by Muthusamy Ramathas sensei and closely supported by Calandra Michael sensei, who traveled from New York to receive the more than 36 clubs and schools of Isshinryu with 450 participants from 10 countries.
The event had the relevant participation of Kichiro Shimabuku Sensei, first-born son of the late founder of Isshinryu and president of the Isshinryu World Karate Association (IWKA) who traveled from Okinawa to also lead the Isshinryu seminar sessions.
ISSHINRYU KARATE & KOBUDO SEMINARS
一 心 流 空 手 古 武 道
From noon on the 25th, the day was full of training with the different seminar sessions for children, beginners and black belts that were led by:
Kishiro Shimabuku sensei, IWKA president Hanshi 10th dan: Isshinryu Karate Basics & Kata sessions.
With a strong emphasis on the Isshinryu basic principles, blockages and stances, Kishiro sensei later gave way to the practice of the Seisan and Seiunchin kata, which were reviewed during the two hours of seminar with the black belts.
ISSHINRYU SEMINAR – IWKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
SHIMABUKU KISHIRO – IWKA
ISSHINRYU KATA SEMINAR – IWKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
ISSHINRYU KATA SEMINAR – IWKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
ISSHINRYU KATA SEMINAR – IWKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
SELF DEFENCE SEMINAR, by Michael Calandra sensei – IWKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, London UK
Different Isshinryu organisations, schools and clubs gathered during the 26 and 27 to contest the podium of the 14 categories of black belts sorted by gender, age and ranks for the divisions of Karate Kata, Kobudo Kata (traditional weapons) and Kumite (sparring).
The organizing committee of the event determined to give full confidence to the team of referees of the WUKF (World Union of Karate Federation) so that they could carry out the task of providing justice during the tournament. With this purpose, the event agenda considered a meeting for coaches and referees during the morning of Thursday 25 with the aim of clearing doubts, transparent regulation and joining criteria in general terms for the evaluation of competitors in kata.
Mr. Liviu Crisa, WUKF president, expressed great satisfaction of seing the organisation for the first time in europe of the Isshinryu World Championship.
“My happiness is even greater when I hear about the decision to use WUKF rules for running this championship and I am looking forward for a long and fruitful collaboration between WUKF and IWKA.
WUKF is the home of all karate-ka from all the nations that need fair and hight level competitions and an educational program that hope to make the world better”
The high score was set for the “Grand Champion” trophy dispute in the kata division, which had as its premise the exclusive use to compete of Sunsu, the main and unique kata of Isshinryu Karate.
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ – World United Isshinryu Association / Seishinkan Budo School
DONALD WASHABAUGH – Isshinryu World Karate Association
After a tight first round that had Kishiro sensei as an observer in the front row, the Chilean representative of WUIKA and Seishinkan Budo SchoolDiego Rodriguez (1st Place Karate Kata & 1st Place Kobudo Kata, Male 30-44, 3rd – 5th dan Black Belts), tied in score with Donald Washabaugh (1st Place Kobudo & 2nd Place Karate Kata Male Masters 6th dan and up), representative of the local IWKA organisation, forcing an extra round of tiebreaker which gave the winner to the local representative for a tight difference.
Dazzling participation also had the WUIKA team that this time brought together athletes from the United States, Denmark,Chile and Romania, who together added a total of 101 medals in addition to 5 Grand Champion trophies.
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WUIKA United States podium
TONNI CHRISTIAN – Denmark
LARS ANDERSEN & MADS NØRBY – WUIKA Denmark, Kobudo Division 6th dan and up along with John Ingram Sensei
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ SENSEI – WUIKA CHILE Kobudo Kata Male 30 – 44 3rd – 5th Dan
NELLIE BRADSTED – WUIKA Denmark, Kata karate Female 30 – 44 1st & 2nd Dan and Diego Rodriguez Sensei from Chile.
Karate Kata podium – Haslev Karate Skole Denmark students
LARS ANDERSEN SENSEI – Denmark
LARS ANDERSEN SENSEI- WUIKA Denmark, Kobudo Division 6th dan and up
GEORGE CRACIUNESCU student’s podium – WUIKA Romania & Diego Rodriguez sensei from Chile.
SHELBS MCLANE – WUIKA United States podium
LARS ANDERSEN SENSEI- WUIKA Denmark, Kobudo & Karate Kata Division 6th dan and up &
WORLD UNITED ISSHINRYU KARATE ASSOCIATION: One Team, One Hearth
Four countries, two continents, three Isshinryu organizations and eight Isshinryu clubs / schools met for the first time in history to bring the WUIKA team to life, attend a Isshinryu World Championship and achieve historic results with a podium presence in virtually all divisions of the event, including Kumite, Karate Kata and Kobudo Kata.
An association that stands out for the search of the technical aspects of Isshinryu that unites its members, the regional directors seek to create instances that benefit the growth of all members of the association, who come from different schools, clubs and organizations of Isshinryu, by what this world championship presented as a magnificent opportunity to share with all the members who traveled to form the team that was inscribed in history.
WORLD UNITED ISSHINRYU KARATE ASSOCIATION
In this regard, Osvaldo Rodriguez sensei (Isshinryu Karate 7th dan, Seishinkan Budo School & WUIKA South American director), comments: “The initiative to bring WUIKA together in London was something positive and I really regret that we could not have been more people integrating the team and supporting the participation of South America. I think the first approach of USA / Europe and South America was a big step”.
We mentioned that Rodriguez sensei could not be present in London being on the eve of a new trip to Okinawa to visit Uechi Tsuyoshi & Tokumura Kensho sensei.
On the other hand, John Ingram sensei (Isshinryu Karate 9th dan, Ingram´s Okinawan Karate & WUIKA director United States) who traveled with 19 athletes comments “I was extremely impressed and proud to see how our membership from around the globe pulled together. Personally I have never seen anything so impressive in my nearly 50 years in Isshinryu “, referring again to the group consisting of clubs and schools from 4 different countries, whom he could also see in action on the front line when being appointed within the team of referees of the event, being in charge some of the categories of Kumite (sparring) and kata.
Lars Andersen sensei (Isshinryu Karate 7th dan, Joshinkan & WUIKA Europe director) was also very impressed by the number of schools and instructors working together as a team, however “it must have been a lot more dojos. Denmark had 3 dojos represented. I was proud to see how well the dojos worked together. This was the first time that a lot of instructors and students met and I think that a lot of friendships were made”.
LARS ANDERSEN SENSEI – WUIKA Europe
JOHN INGRAM SENSEI – WUIKA United States
OSVALDO RODRIGUEZ SENSEI – WUIKA Sudamerica
In conversation with the three regional directors, they were also asked for their opinion regarding the technical level appreciated in the WUIKA team during the championship in London and what are the projections regarding upcoming calendar activities. These were their comments.
JOHN INGRAM SENSEI – WUIKA United States
“I was very pleased with the level of kata and kumite of ALL WUIKA clubs. I believe as an association we hold a high standard and that was evident at the IWKA championships. I am very proud of the work my partner Lars Andersen Sensei has done in Europe. He has developed a very strong base and implemented a consistent curriculum. Our partner in South America, Osvaldo Rodriguez Sensei has a very strong group as well. His Seishinkan representative in London, Diego Sensei confirmed that!
Several of the Isshinryu dojo’s in Europe only compete in full contact kumite. Some of them are interested in the semi contact kumite under WUKF rules. My plan is to video some drills that will aid them. I think if we continue to all work as a group each sharing our strong points we will be raised to a higher level.
The only event scheduled now is our Gasshuku in Florida oct 24-27. In the future, Lars Sensei asked me to possibly plan our 2020 WUIKA / Tokushinryu gasshaku for Florida close to the date for IHOF (Isshinryu Hall of Fame). That way those from out of the USA could include a trip to Tennessee. We are only an hour and a half from Disney, Kennedy space etc. Lars Sensei also wants to plan a trip for me to come teach in Denmark within the next couple of years. All of our kata are very close. I would like to share some of the small differences in what Mitchum Sensei taught. I believe some of the small differences are due to the fact that Mitchum Sensei also trained in Shorin with Kinjo Chinsaku who was Master Shimabuku’s best Okinawa student”
LARS ANDERSEN SENSEI – WUIKA Europe
“Regarding the level shown by the athletes who made up the WUIKA team, I must say that I was impressed by the standard, but we need to work more on posture, timing and Hiki Ashi.
The WUIKA directors in the US and Europe have decided that we will fully support the IWKA World Championships, so I hope to that WUIKA members will support the next World Championships in India. For future events I hope to set up a black belt training camp in Denmark in November 2019.
OSVALDO RODRIGUEZ SENSEI – WUIKA Sudamerica
“I was following closely the details of the event through social networks and especially through Diego, who traveled to represent us. In what I could appreciate and based on what I know of the various Isshinryu groups, I have no doubt that the level of WUIKA was among the best of the event and that working together all this will become noticeably powerful in the future.
I believe that bringing together people from the USA, Europe and South America to work on the weaknesses and strengths of each group will be a great wealth for all our students and future generations of Isshinryu. I certainly believe that the Kumite is the weak part in relation to the regulation and I think WUIKA should aim high on this. The WKF regulation or the closest to it should be working north”.
There is no doubt that Isshinryu, despite being an Okinawa-born style with deep roots in its principles and values to this day, had a massive growth around the world, mainly the United States due to the large number of marines stationed in the island by the historical process by all very well known. The rest of the world followed to this process and as a result thousands of practitioners follow the “One heart style“一心流 in some way.
For this reason, as a result of a worldwide effort to unite Isshinryu students, an organisation was born that serves as a platform for serious practitioners to train under regional directors in different parts of the world, stimulating a sense of belonging and a deep respect for to the different roots of its practitioners. These joint efforts and a look towards a shared vision result in moments like those experienced during the last Isshinryu World Tournament in London.
Finally, WUIKA, Seishinkan Budo School and the writer wish to express their deepest thanks and highlight the tremendous team work deployed by M. Ramathas sensei and Goshinkan Isshinryu in London.
We also express our gratitude to the support of Michael Calandra sensei, who traveled from the United States to attend the process and also, to accompany Kishiro Shimabuku sensei closely.
And last but not least, Kichiro Shimabuku sensei himself, who at 80 years of age maintains the vitality and energy of the Okinawan people, which allows him to provide the possibility for his students and Isshinryu enthusiasts to practice at his side and enjoy his teachings.
Mention and special thanks to John Ingram sensei, Osvaldo Rodriguez sensei and Lars Andersen sensei, regional directors of WUIKA, for agreeing to deliver some words regarding the event and future plans of the organization.
After the success of the WUIKA & TOKUSHINRYU EUROPE SOUTH AMERICA TOUR (Review the article here), during December 2018 and January 2019 that had two WUIKA Romania students visiting several dojos taking part in a busy schedule in Chile, several activities took place during the first period of 2019 that mobilised the directors of WUIKA and Seishinkan in Europe and South America.
The exchange of students, seminars, tournaments and master classes are some of the most relevant activities that have been developed during the first period of 2019, leaving projects and tasks to continue and unforgettable postcards for those who were involved in each of them.
We invite you to review each of them in detail below.
TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO 2019 WINTER GASHUKU & TOKUSHINRYU CUP
沖縄徳身流古武道
March 1 – 3, Copenhagen Denmark, 2019
March 2019 and Tokushinryu Valby Shibu’s logistical team dressed up to organize splendidly once more the Winter Gashuku & Tokushinryu Cup, the first of two annual events that gather all the Tokushinryu Europe practitioners in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Unlike the previous versions, this year the Tokushinryu Cup took place on Saturday morning due to the visit of the vice president and representative of the WUKF (World Union of Karate do Federations) in Denmark, Søren Helsted, who attended the event as an observer in the framework of the standardization of the category of Kobudo for the next United Karate of Denmark (UKD) National Championship during April and that will have as a novelty the debut of the Kobudo as division of competition.
Mr. Helsted, who is in constant communication with Lars Andersen sensei, was very satisfied and expectant of the results that inclusion will have for the first time in the history of Kobudo as official category in a Danish National Championship.
The champion of the 2019 version was again Diego Rodriguez (Tokushinryu Sweden) followed by Sven Mischke and Adreas Mischke, members of Tokushinryu Kobudo Germany, who completed the podium of the 2019 Tokushinryu Cup in its latest version under the format of “free choice of weapons”, due to the modification that forces the black belts to present more advanced katas / weapons in the first round.
According to Lars Andersen Sensei (Tokushinryu Kobudo Europe Director) the new format, that will be implemented immediately this 2019 (Tokumura Cup, in the framework of Nakskov’s Summer Gasshuku in September), aims to support the ultimate goal of the tournament, which is to be able to appreciate a wide and varied repertoire of kata/weapons and levels through the participants in the event that come from the different Tokushinryu groups in Europe. We can also anticipate the “technical isolation” that occurs when not having the possibility of interacting frequently among the various groups in Europe, which also have different karate and kobudo backgrounds.
The seminars were focused on strengthening the use of the Gusan, through the practice and correction of the Kata, in addition to the study of some Bunkai, emphasising as usual, the correct alignment of the segments and application of force in each movement.
Once again the Seishinkan Budo School greatly appreciates the organisational deployment by the Tokushinryu Valby School to successfully carry out this new version of the Winter Camp and the 2019 Tokushinryu cup.
HEINZ TESSNER – Tokushinryu Kobudo Germany
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ & MARTIN KAISER – Tokushinryu Kobudo Valby, Copenhagen Denmark
PELLE FRIDELL – Tokushinryu Kobudo Denmark
THE 2nd OKINAWAN KARATE NORDIC SEMINAR
沖縄空手古武道
April 6 – 7, Helsinki Finland, 2019.
After the success in the first incursion of this event in 2018 in Stockholm Sweden, the logistics team of the Okinawan Karate Nordic Seminar moved again to give the initial kick to the second version, this time in Helsinki, Finland, hosted by the representatives of Seibukan Shorin Ryu 聖武館少林流 in the region.
The project’s main objective is to revalue the roots of Okinawan Karate through the practice and revision of the main styles that derived from the teachings of the outstanding Shuri Te master, Chotoku Kyan 喜 屋 武 朝 徳 (1970 – 1945) . Isshinryu一心流 by Tatsuo Shimabuku 島袋龍夫(1908-1975), Seibukan Shorin Ryu 聖武館少林流 by Zenryo Shimabukuro 島袋 善良(1908-1969) and Shorinji Ryu 少林寺流 by Joen Nakazato (1922-2010) are the karate styles that the participants have the possibility to experience and together, discover those principles and techniques that share the same roots.
With a greater framework of attendance compared to the 2018 version, the event was highlighted by the concurrence of practitioners of different styles such as Shotokan, Shito Ryu, Kyokushin, Shorin Ryu Seibukan, Shorinji Ryu, Isshinryu and Koryu Uchinadi among some others, who enjoyed of practical sessions aimed at highlighting what connects over what differentiates each one, creating an exclusive atmosphere of growth and collaboration.
The instructors responsible for conducting the training sessions during the Okinawan Karate Nordic Seminar are:
Mr. Robert Iversen, Okinawa Shorinji Ryu, 7th dan. Sweden
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ SENSEI – Okinawa Isshinryu Karate & Kobudo
ROBERT IVERSEN SENSEI – Okinawa Shorinji Ryu
KIM MITRUNEN SENSEI – Okinawa Shorin Ryu Seibukan
In addition to the 2020 version of the Okinawan Karate Nordic seminar, there are some other related projects that link the event directly with Okinawa and the current representatives of styles on the island, which is why talks are currently being held with the Okinawa Ken 沖縄県 y el Okinawa Karate Kaikan 沖縄空手会館 in order to involve the direct source from where this projects is born: Okinawa.
If you want to review the 2018 and 2019 Okinawa Karate Nordic Seminar: In the footsteps of grand master Chotoku Kyan, we invite you to click the links below.
In the residential town of Virum, 15 km north of the center of Copenhagen, a new version of the United Karate of Denmark(UKD)National Championship took place. This organization, which works in parallel to the officially recognized by the Danish Olympic Committee, the Dansk Karate Forbound (Dkarf), is the one that brings together all the organisations that represent the traditional and general contact karate in Denmark, thus conformed the “2nd team” that represents the country at international level.
Affiliated with the World Union of Karate of the Federation (WUKF), the organisation of this national championship had as main objective to determine the representatives in each division for the 11th European Championship 2019 (Click here for further information), to be held in the town of Odense, Denmark between October 24 and 27, 2019 .
Being an event with tradition, in this opportunity it stands out as the first time in its history that the division of Kobudo古武道would take place, which had massive participation of athletes from the country that took part in the two categories in which the series was distributed: Long and Short Weapons.
Diego Rodriguez Sensei was part of the Haslev Isshinryu Karate Skole team directed by Martin Frederiksen sensei and Nelly Bradsted, taking part in two categories: Kata Karate, where he got the 3rd place, and Kobudo (AdvancedLong and Short Weapons) where he got the first place in both divisions. In this way, in addition to getting the qualification for the next European Championship, Diego Sensei took part in the history of the Danish Kobudo when participating in the first event where this discipline took place.
Yhara Rodriguez, student of Isshinryu Seishinkan Chile, who was on tour in Denmark, also took part in the event in the Kata Karate category, also getting the first position on the podium.
Diego Rodriguez – Advanced Kobudo Short Weapon 1st Place
Yhara Rodriguez – Empty Hand Kata 1st Place
Diego Rodriguez – Isshinryu Seisan Kata
Seishinkan Budo School would like to thank the support and kindness of the Haslev Isshinryu Karate School for including Yhara and Diego sensei in the team that competed in the event, contributing in this way to the representation work of Isshinryu and Tokushinryu Kobudo that all the athletes developed in a splendid way.
HASLEV KARATE SKOLE – SPECIAL TRAINING & KATA SEMINAR
沖縄 一心流空手古武道
May 4 – 5, Haslev Denmark, 2019.
A week after the UKD Danish National Championship, took place the initiative promoted by the WUIKA managers in Denmark and organised in a splendid manner by the Haslev Karate School directors Nellie Bradsted and Martin Frederiksen sensei. The objective is to carry out a kata clinic and special training sessions for the children and youngters in the club, with the idea of delivering a different perspective to address the training of these age groups, in addition to delivering some training techniques for competition kata.
On this occasion, Diego Rodriguez Sensei was invited to lead the activity, complementing those already carried out during the previous week with Yhara Rodriguez, who was visiting Denmark for almost a month, during which she took part in the regular karate classes at school.
Recreational karate and introduction to Kobudo were part of the initial sessions, which then gave way to more specific training techniques to develop the competition kata. The activity also served as an adjustment for the Isshinryu representatives who will be traveling to the World Championship of the specific style to be held in London England, next July (IWKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 LONDON – UK)
The activity is also part of the joint efforts that are being made worldwide among all the WUIKA (World United Isshinryu Karate Association) directors and organisations in Europe, South America, the United States and Okinawa to promote and support activities that favor the exchange of students to different continents, thus enhancing the cultural and martial art growth of its members.
Finally, the last details were fine-tuned for the visit of Cecilie Bradsted Pedersen, student of Isshinryu in Denmark, who will be visiting the Hombu Dojo of Seishinkan in Chile during the next June and July.
Thanks to Nellie Brasdted and her entire logistics team for the wonderful activity that took place over the weekend.
SHINGO RYU CUP – Næstved Denmark
May 05, Næstved Denmark 2019.
Without the participation of the Isshinryu schools in Romania, who have been preparing for the specific world championship of the style to be held in London during July of this year, a new version of the already traditional Shingo Ryu Cup (Click here for further details) was carried out in Næstved, Denmark. The massive absence of Isshinryu practitioners, however, did not mean leaving without international representatives of the style that took part in the event, due Yhara Rodriguez, student of Seishinkan Chile, became champion of the advanced female category of kata.
Haslev Karate Skole (Click here for further details) was kind enough to host Yhara for a month, which aimed to develop an exchange in the cultural and training field in Isshinryu Karate一心流空手(throught the training sessions with Lars Andersen sensei, Martin Frederiksen sensei and Diego Rodriguez sensei), continuing in this way with the mega project of exchanges between Europe and South America that some students of Isshinryu and Tokushinryu in Romania have already been part of during the last December 2018 / January 2019 in Chile (Click here for further details)
After several rounds Yhara Rodriguez won a Goju Ryu 剛柔流 IOGKF and Isshinryu student who finished second and third respectively. This result is already added to those obtained during the previous two years that have had a representative of Isshinryu and Seishinkan in Europe (Diego Rodriguez Sensei, Shingo Ryu Cup 2017 and Shingo Ryu Cup 2018) crowned champion in the most advanced divisions of kata.
SHINGO RYU CUP 2019
Seishinkan Budo School and WUIKA Europe were very proud of the performance and sent their greetings to Yhara for the commendable results and role as representative in the event.
Deep thanks to the organizing committee of the Shingo Ryu Cup who, as usual, carried out an event organised in a splendid way.
EUROPE – SOUTH AMERICA EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Denmark – Chile 2019
Stockholm Sweden, May – June 2019
One of the projects that motivates the daily work of Diego Sensei is to establish, promote and support ties and exchange activities among the members of Seishinkan Budo School in Chile with schools and organizations in Europe, as has been the case in the past tour that made the members of WUIKA Europe in Romania, George Craciunescu & Alex Covasa, who were from mid-December 2018 until the middle of January 2019 enjoying an agenda full of cultural activities and related to the practice of martial arts in cities and dojos of Isshinryu and Tokushinryu in Chile.
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At the beginning of 2019, the Isshinryu student in Haslev Karate Skole (Click here), Cecilie Bradsted, decided to join her personal project of cultural exchange with the initiative promoted by Diego Sensei when trying to coordinate in just a couple of months, a visit to the WUIKA Hombu dojo in South America (Seishinkan Budo) in Chile. The efforts resulted in an initiative that would have a student from Chile visiting Denmark and then Cecilie visiting Chile for about a month.
Yhara Rodriguez, Isshinryu student, Shodan and recently qualified as a nurse, was the one who decided to take part in the project and on May 18, she started her tour to Europe with a brief stop in Sweden to finish later in Haslev Denmark until May 20. Since then, an exquisitely prepared schedule has been developed that includes training at the WUIKA Hombu Dojo in Europe, supporting children’s classes in Haslev Karate Skole, participation in the Shingo Ryu Cup and the Danish National Championship 2019 and off course, a lot of cultural activities related with the amazing country of Denmark.
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Later, and only three weeks after Yhara’s return to Chile, on June 10, Cecilie would be the one who would undertake the trip to continue with this project, this time in Concepcion, Chile.
The agenda of activities includes taking part in the regular training of Isshinryu in the Hombu Dojo of WUIKA in South America, seminar of Tokushinryu Kobudo, visits to the dojos in the region and various activities related to Chile, its cultural legacy and with Concepcion, the recognised Second Capital of the country and student city per excellence, due to the large number of Universities and Institutes that can be found in it.
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Diego Rodriguez Sensei and Seishinkan Budo School, hope that Yhara and Cecilie will continue enjoying the rest of the tour and wish a happy return for Cecilie to Denmark. We thank both of you for the confidence placed in focusing your energies and invest your resources, joining efforts to carry this adventure together and write one more page of this ambitious project that hopes as always to continue inspiring new practitioners to embark on this journey of growth and to cross the world in search of new experiences that have as a central axis the practice of Karate Do.
CHILE – DENMARK Exchange. Interview & article by EL SUR newspaper, Concepcion Chile 2019
For those interested in Europe and South America, the exchange program project promoted by Diego Rodriguez Sensei and supported by the WUIKA & Tokushinryu Kobudo organisations in Europe and South America through its board members, is fully operational and in the stage of receiving interested parties to give step to the planning stage, which includes the delivery of details and approximate dates to be carried out.
Enthusiasm to contribute to the personal and collective growth and to inspire the current and future generations of Isshinryu & Tokushinryu practitioners in the world, are the main conditions that must be met by those who wish to be part of this project, who from now on are cordially invited to contact us for more information.
With the sincere desire to help, I remain attentive to any concern regarding this or other related projects.
In the framework of the tour to Okinawa of the Seishinkan team, who carried out a tight schedule that ran from July 28 to August 23 and that included several activities among which the participation representing Chile in the “1st Okinawa Karate International Tournament” (Click here for further details) stands out, Karate and Kobudo seminars, visits to Tsuyoshi Uechi and Tokumura Kensho sensei and multiple trainings at Budokan and other places of historical relevance for Okinawan Karate.
OKINAWA, AUGUST 2018 – Prefectural Budokan Arena
OKINAWA, AUGUST 2018 – SEISHINKAN BUDO SCHOOL. Alfonso Lavanchy (Seishinkan Santiago de Chile), Fernando Smith (Hombu Dojo), Diego Rodriguez Sensei (Seishinkan Europe), Osvaldo Rodriguez Sensei (Seishinkan Hombu Dojo) Mauricio Lopez (Seishinkan Terraustral Montessory School), Joaquin Alvares (Hombu Dojo)
OKINAWA BUDOKAN – August 2018
OKINAWA PREFECTURAL BUDOKAN ARENA – August 2018
MATSUYAMA KOEN – Seishinkan Team, August 2018
MATSUYAMA KOEN TRAINING – Okinawa, August 2018
OKINAWA BUDOKAN – WUIKA South America – August 2018
MATSUYAMA KOEN – Diego Rodriguez Sensei, Okinawa August 2018
Some of the places chosen by the team led by Osvaldo Rodriguez sensei were the Okinawa Prefectural Hall of Martial Arts (Budokan) Arena and the historic Matsuyama Koen (Matsuyama Park), both located in Naha, the island’s capital. The latter is known worldwide for a place of tremendous historical relevance for Karate, because it is said to be the exact place in Okinawa where it was born, around the 19th century, what was known at the time as “Tudi” (唐手) or “Chinese Hand” (唐 character once used by the Japanese and Uchinanchu / Ryukyuans to refer to the Chinese and later replaced by “空” to, among other things, achieve that karate was accepted in good way in mainland Japan after the deep anti-Chinese feeling that reigned at the time).
Trainings during visits to Kensho Tokumura sensei and Tsuyoshi Uechi sensei were completed and enriched a busy schedule of growth and future projects to help the growth of Okinawan Karate and Kobudo.
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OKINAWA 2018: RANK PROMOTIONS
Mauricio Lopez (Seishinkan Terraustral Montessory School), Alfonso Lavanchy (Seishinkan representative in Santiago, Chile) y Joaquin Alvares (Hombu Dojo, Chile), Seishinkan South America Students, were promoted to 1st dan in Tokushinryu Kobudo by Tokumura Kensho sensei, after a very concentrated training process that began in 2017 with the official incorporation of Seishinkan as representatives of Tokushinryu Kobudo in South America and the first official visit to the Hombu Dojo in Okinawa.
In this opportunity, after several training sessions, our students were subjected to the exquisite and very critical eye of Tokumura Sensei who gave the great responsibility to these students, who now officially continue to enrich their path in budo through the practice of Tokushinryu Kobudo.
TOKUMURA SENSEI & Joaquin Alvares, back in Okinawa 2017
Diego Rodriguez sensei (Seishinkan / WUIKA Europe), who after graduating of Yon dan in 2013 at the hombu dojo, officially started the last stage of an explosive growth process both in the personal area, moving to live in northern Europe, professional area, through of the development of his career as a Physical Education Teacher abroad, as well as at the organizational level, assuming the official role of representation in Europe of the Seishinkan organization.
As a result of these efforts, relevant international cooperation projects have come to light mainly among the organizations Tokushinryu Kobudo & WUIKA Europe (World United Isshinryu Karate Association) led by Lars Andersen Sensei and Osvaldo Rodriguez Sensei, president of Seishinkan and representative of these organizations in South America. From 2014 to date, he has participated in several international events, giving seminars and competing in tournaments with the sole objective of showing, massifying and supporting the growth of Isshinryu and all its members in the region.
On his last trip to Okinawa in August of this year and having finished his participation in the “1st Okinawa Karate International Tournament” (Click here for further details), he took part in the Isshinryu training series with Uechi Tsuyoshi sensei and Osvaldo sensei at the Okinawa Prefectural Hall of Martial Arts (Budokan) Arena. After intense and long sessions held on consecutive days, Diego sensei is a graduate of 5th dan, Renshi Go, in Okinawa Isshinryu Karate, closing with this a very significant stage, full of growth and starting a new one with perspectives and challenges for our organization at the international level.
Go Dan – Renshi Go Rank Promotion
Renshi Go – Rank Promotion, Okinawa 2018
Okinawa Prefectural Budokan – Seishinkan 2018
With these rank promotions, we conclude a very demanding tour in every sense, plenty of growth and deeply significant for all those who were part and could share, train and experience one of the most particular cultures in the world that also has one of its greatest cultural assets , the Okinawan Karate.
MATSUYAMA KOEN – Naha, Okinawa 2018
During the nearly 31 years of existence of Seishinkan Budo School, this is characterized by the constant search and development of deep sense and practical applications to what develops day by day in our dojos. Understanding the origin, therefore, of those arts practiced more than 700 years ago is a relevant part of the integral training delivered by our organization to all our students. That is the reason for being that partially justifies the joint efforts of students and directors in different parts of the world to carry out ambitious projects, constantly oriented to the practice and technical, spiritual and historical development.
In this line and with the constant intention of carrying out our Institutional Mission of “Constantly nourish our students with different knowledge regarding the practice of karate, orienting them to the maximum technical and theoretical development…“, We consider relevant in this opportunity to make a section with a brief historical review of what is considered one of the most emblematic places in cultural terms of what was once the Kingdom of Ryukyu and the result that had a long historical exchange history with the neighboring country China and particularly with the Fujian province.
RYUKYU KINGDOM TRADE PERIOD
Everything goes back the old Ryukyu Kingdom Period(1392-1879) the majority of Okinawa’s Chinese community resided in Naha’s Kumemura district. Shortly after the establishment of tributary trade relations with China, a group of Chinese from Fujian were granted to Ryūkyū by the Chinese Emperor and started to immigrate to Okinawa in 1392. They came to be known as the people from the ‘36 Clans of the Min-People’ (minren sanshiliu-xing 閩人三十六姓). Min 閩 refers to the lower valley of the Min River in Fujian 福建 Province, China. They settled in a small Chinese colony in Kume village 久米村.
In those days there was a magnificent park (now known as Matsuyama Koen) located between Naminoue Beach and what is now Fukushu Garden in Naha (福州園). Much of the Chinese community gathered there to enjoy various cultural activities, including martial arts, throughout the year. With much of these people coming directly from Fujian Province it’s not surprising to learn that most of the Quanfa/Kung Fu (拳法) was southern-style, and largely Fujian-based. The style practiced was White Crane, one of the five Fujian Southerm Chaolin Boxing traditions, with very particular movements that maintained a balance between the softness and hardness.
As this specific Quanfa was not native to Okinawa, local Chinese learned, practised and taught what had been handed down within their family or community for generations. Experts who traveled between China and Okinawa, periodically influenced local sources and existing practices by visiting military officials, posted to Shuri Castle and the Chinese Embassy, body guards and security personnel, all served to inspire local Chinese enthusiasts over time.
In 1979, the Ryukyu Kingdom’s abolition took place and with it the return to its province of all the Chinese experts and bureaucrats posted for years in the place. With the annexation of these territories to mainland Japan, anti-Chinese sentiment arrived and began to grow, not being an impediment for generations of Okinawans to continue with the idea / tradition of meeting in this place to continue practicing the Quanfa that had been taught to them and experiment with different practices with the intention of improving the understanding of it.
In spite of persisting even a strong Chinese influence in what until then was practiced, gradually began to take place a unique and particular approach that directly attaches to the culture of the Uchinanchu in those moments. The first signs of some katas practiced up to our days, traversed from generation to generation but still maintaining the roots in the practices carried out during this period, can be traced back to these years.
Among the enthusiasts who gathered at Matsuyama Koen stand out among many the names of Aragaki Seishō 新垣世璋 (1840–1918), Sakiyama Kitoku (1830-1914) and Higaona Kanryo 東恩納寛量. The latter is the one who in September of 1870 and with the help of Yoshimura Udun Chomei (Aji or prince), manages to get permission to embark on the trip to Fuzhou on the pretext of going as an official translator of Okinawan bureaucracies and thus initiating the path that would lead him to be recognized until today as one of the first students of Fujian White Crane Kung Fu under the tutelage of the master Ryu Ryu Koルールーコウ (1873 – 1915)(“The History of Karate” by Morio Higaona).
RYU RYU KO(ルールーコウ) XI XIE SHIE (It remains a big unknown and there is still no consensus on whether the person who taught Higashiona Kanryu was exactly Ryu Ryu Ko)
Higashionna Kanryo 東恩納寛量 (1853 – 1915)
It should be noted that to this day there is a mantle of doubts that maintains no consensus among the men in Okinawa, about the true identity of Kanryo’s teacher. One of the evidences that supports these doubts is a monument outside the Fuzhou Gymnasium recorded that Ryu Ryu Ko, Kanryo’s Master, was a Crying Crane Kung Fu (whose main characteristic was deep breathing using the diaphragm to vocalize) grand master called Xie Chon Gxiang. In the words of Morio Higgaona sensei who was told that “Ryu Ryu Ko was a guard around 40 years old, tall, with powerful foot movements. Because of civil wars he went to many places and learned Crying Kung Fu. In the past, learning martial arts had to be covertly, which explains why his identity is a mystery today, we’ll never know exactly”.
Back in Matsuyama nowadays, vestiges connecting this story with Okinawa can still be found. Just in front of the park is the Fukushu-en Garden (or Chinese garden) and in the park itself there are monuments in honor of Higaona Kanryo 東恩納寛量, Miyagi Chogun 宮城 長順 (1988-1953) and in honor of the place where the town of Kuma village was born.
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Fukushūen 福州園 – Okinawa, Naha
Fukushūen 福州園 – Okinawa, Naha
Fukushūen 福州園 – Okinawa, Naha
At present, many activities have been carried out to commemorate the historic good relations between both peoples.
In November 2017, on the occasion of commemorating the 20th anniversary of the “Friendly Province” treaty signed between Okinawa Prefecture and Fujian Province of China in 1997, Okinawa sent a delegation led by the governor of 73 people, including many karate masters, for a series of visits and receptions between 9 and 13 of that month.
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Text by Diegoisshinryu – Images & Illusttations taken by the Bubishi and Seishinkan Europe
Between 01/08 and 08/08, the Prefecture of Okinawa together with the Karate Kaikan, surprised us with a world-class logistics to host the so-called “1st Okinawa Karate International Tournament” (第1回沖縄空手国際大会 ) whose name is due to the fact that currently the Olympic Committee only estate that holds the possibility to organize “World Tournaments” and deliver the respective “titles”. However, with a participation framework of more than 1746 competitors from 49 countries of the 5 continents, the level was at the height of an event that was highlighted by the relentless emphasis on maintaining the high standards of execution of the traditional katas of the respective lines: Shuri / Tomari-te Kei, Uechi-Ryu Kei, Naha-Te Kei and Kobudo.
As part of the event, various activities were carried out, including the inauguration of the monument in honor of the 232nd anniversary of Sakugawa Kanga, a master known as Tōdē Sakugawa, (who is remembered for creating the bō – staff kata Sakugawa no kun), honoring in that way Shurite and the Shorin Ryu the past july 28/29
Mr. Takeshi Onaga – Okinawa Prefecture Governor
In the words of Mr. Takeshi Onaga, Governor of the prefecture and spokesperson for the Executive Committee of The 1st Okinawan International Karate Tournament, the main objective of the tournament was that “Okinawan karate enthusiasts can meet and establish connections to inherit and develop skills correctly. and spirituality of this modality of karate, systematized and transmitted by our ancestors, as well as to promote the development of traditional Okinawan karate and kobudo, which are, in turn, a legacy of our ancestors, who preserved and transmitted it generation after generation “
In support of this mission and as a result of the systematic efforts of the Prefecture of Okinawa to preserve, transmit and develop Okinawan karate, “The Karate Kaikan” (Click here for further info) was inaugurated on March 4th, 2018, facilities that include museums, shops, dojos and libraries dedicated one hundred percent to contribute to this mission. This is the place where it was decided to hold the first Okinawan karate tournament.
KARATE KAIKAN – OKINAWA, AUGUST 2018
THE 6 ROLES OF KARATE KAIKAN
Contribution to character building (valuing civility)
Telling people that it is the birthplace of Karate
Contact among each school inside the prefecture and inside/outside the country
Cultivating trainers and successors
Passing on the essence of Karate
Promoting training on Okinawa, the home of Karate
THE TOURNAMENT – Preliminary Rounds & Main Event
As has been the trend in the last events held in Okinawa, our organization was present to participate in this event and together with the school of Mirzon Zambrano sensei (Okinawa Goju Ryu Jinbukan) and Diego sensei’s adhesion from Europe, Chile was represented splendidly by 11 competitors, who took part of the Karate and Kobudo competitions in all the divisions.
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“We will hold the 1st Okinawa Karate International Tournament , aiming to create a place where Okinawa Karate enthusiasts gather in Okinawa and deepen exchanges, to properly inherit and develop the skills and spirituality of Okinawa Karate which was systematized by our ancestors and handed down until today, and to further promote the development of Okinawa Traditional Karate and Kobudo for the future”
THE 1st OKINAWA KARATE INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Okinawa representative team, who made the qualification round in May 2018, were waiting and observing the turn of Japan & Overseas that took place on August 2nd and 3th to determine who would accompany the homeowners in the main tournament.
Naha-te Kei – Uechi-ryu Kei – Shuri / Tomari-Te Kei and Kobudo Sai-Bo, were the four categories performed in the Okinawa Prefectural Hall of Martial Arts (Budokan) Arena and the Karate Kaikan, Special Dojo, where the hundreds of competitors gathered to start the fight for the podium.
The category of Shuri / Tomari Te Kei, with a margin of participation close to a thousand competitors, was the division that registered the most attendance, classifying the main tournament only the best 32 of each division (Junior Female / Male I-II, Seniors Female / Male I-II).
MAIN TOURNAMENT
MAURICIO LOPEZ & FERNANDO SMITH – SHURI-TE / TOMARI-TE KEI – Adults II
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ SENSEI
SEISHINKAN – CHILE TEAM
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ SENSEI
Diego Sensei(who qualified 1st in the preliminary round, Seniors I) and Mauricio Lopez(Seniors II) were the representatives who managed to advance in their respective groups to the main event that began on 04/08. Isshinryu Seisan Kata, Isshinryu Sunsu Kata and Isshinryu Kusanku kata (Click here to check the videos), were chosen to present until unfortunately, the high standards regarding “root / origin of the kata” (the katas presented should be as little modified as possible, thus maintaining the pure lineage of each ryuha) were a difficult obstacle to overcome for both, who fell in the first round before relentless judges with the standards that in front of the prefecture of Okinawa just a few days before, they promised to maintain.
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Naha-Te Kei and Kobudo Bo and Sai were the divisions chosen by the Chilean representatives of Goju-Ryu Jinbukan, led by Mirzon Zambrano sensei, and who, as expected, also qualified to the main tournament from the preliminary rounds, not without some previous tiebrakes they had them busy during the entire day.
The overall balance of the team was positive, mainly because the first objective was achieved, which was to represent Chile and Isshinryu in Okinawa, supporting Uechi Sensei at the same time in his work as the only active representative of Isshinryu Karate at the Karate Kaikan and, on the other hand, It is always positive to see how and where is the standard in Okinawa related to the kata execution.
In this way, the “1st Okinawa Karate International Tournament” had on the podium those who faithfully maintained the traditional katas, far from the spectacular and bombastic presentations to which we are already very acclimated in the West.
THE SEMINARS – Isshin-ryu/Shorin-ryu & Ryukyu Kobudo
Once the tournament was over, a series of seminars was started on 06/08 by the instructors chosen by the Executive Committee based on the recommendations of the four organizations affiliated with the Okinawa Dento Karatedo Shinkokai (the same as for first time in history, worked together to carry out the event).
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As expected, the representatives of Seishinkan and Isshinryu at the event, participated and supported the seminar lead by Tsuyoshi Uechi sensei,Isshinryu Okinawa Traditional Karate-do Association 8th Dan together with the Board Chairman of Okinawa Dento Karatedo ShinkokaiChoko Kyuna Sensei, Okinawa Shorin Ryu Hanshi 10th Dan, who held the Shuri-Te Kei seminar. All the Kihon, Basics Movement and applications, kotekitae (Okinawa Traditional condition training) and Seisan Kata were the topics covered by more than two hours of seminar, which counted with the maximum allowed of participants (50) coming mainly from the Shuri-te line.
Ryukyu Kobudo was the other covered area during the participation in seminars, this time by Akamine Hiroshi Sensei, Okinawa Ryukyu Kobudo Shimbukan 9th dan and assisted very closely by Dell Hamby Sensei, 6th dan. Bo and Sai were the weapons covered during two hours of training that contemplated techniques and basic applications, kihon and a kata of bo and sai respectively. As expected, massive assistance from practitioners of various Kobudo lines took the available places.
RYUKYU KOBUDO SHIMBUKAN SEMINAR – Alfonso Lavanchy – Seishinkan Santiango de Chile
Both seminars, of high technical and theoretical value, contribute significantly to the growth and research work carried out by the directors of our school in South America and Europe, contributing to the development and strengthening of Karate and Kobudo in the regions.
Text by Diegoisshinryu – Pictures courtesy of Karate Journal & Seishinkan South America
After the “2016 OIKKA World Karate Championship, Allentown, New Jersey” (check the article here), Diego Sensei moved and settled definitively in Northern Europe, where he successfully carried out the work of representing Seishinkan, establishing connections, contributing to the growth of Isshinryu and initiating his training in Tokushinryu Kobudo of Master Kensho Tokumura in the organization led in europe by Sensei Lars Andersen.
As a result of this joint effort between the WUIKA organizations in Europe and South America, activities such as the past “WORLD UNITED ISSHINRYU KARATE ASSOCIATION & TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO EUROPE TOUR – ROMANIA 2017” (check the article here) have been developed, and this August 2018, after their participation together to the team at the 1st Okinawa World Championship, Diego sensei will be visiting the Seishinkan Hombu Dojo in Chile to conduct a seminar whose main objective will be to review the basic principles of Okinawan Karate and Kobudo, with a new perspective that goes in support of the work of growth and consolidation carried out by the directors of WUIKA South America & Seishinkan in the region.
This activity is presented as a prelude to the great event called “1st TOKUSHINRYU & WUIKA EUROPE SOUTH AMERICA TOUR – CHILE 2018 – 2019″ (click here for further info) scheduled for the end of this year and that will include a new visit of Diego sensei with two students of WUIKA Europe, who during a month, will be part of a series of trainings and seminars carried out in different dojos of the organization in the country.
SEISHINKAN EUROPE – GREECE 2018
SEISHINKAN BUDO EUROPE
SEISHINKAN BUDO EUROPE
Some of the topics of this coming seminar will be oriented towards the following areas
Basic principles of the main Kobudo weapons (tichu, sai, bo, tekko, tonfa)
Seishinkan Budo School & WUIKA’s board of directors hopes that with the realization of this event as a prelude to the end of year tour, our students and all the Okinawan Karate & Kobudo enthusiasts can gather, build connections and deepen their knowledge together with expanding horizons regarding the practice and development of this art in its purest and most traditional form.
We are looking forward to meeting you all during this coming events.
Text by Diegoisshinryu – Images by Allisson Teran
You can check some of the last activities of Diego sensei by clicking the following links
The event called “1st WUIKA & TOKUSHINRYU EUROPE, SOUTH AMERICA CHILE TOUR, 2018 – 2019” had last month its end with the return of guests that Seishinkan had for a month in South America, Chile.
Towards Romania, George Craciunescu and Alex Covasa sensei, and to Sweden Diego Rodriguez Sensei, started their return trip on January 10th to their respective homes with the mission of sharing this experience and inspiring new generations to work for the development of this and other similar projects in the short and long term.
Next we present the last update with the details of the activities carried out during the tour, and as a finishing touch, we leave a brief account of the experiences lived by the protagonists.
1st KIDS SEMINAR 2018 – Seishinkan San Pedro de la Paz.
Diego Rodriguez sensei together with the Honbu Dojo instructor’s team led by Magaly Inzunza sensei, carried out the first official tour activity hosted on this occasion by Jose Miguel Riesco, who has been this last time focused on solidifying a group of students characterised by being in the age range of three and seven years old.
Two days of sessions aimed at formative karate, were attended by about 25 students from the clubs and dojos of the city, who received important lessons, tasks and challenges to face until the next visit.
JOSE MIGUEL RIESCO (Seishinkan San Pedro, Chile) – DIEGO RODRIGUEZ (Seishinkan Europe) – MAGALY INZUNZA (Chief Instructor, Seishinkan Chile)
The children’s activity was aligned with the institutional mission of Seishinkan and the educational / training project carried out in partnership with institutions that seek to strengthen the educational process of children through the regular practice of Karate Do.
2018 BLACK BELT & INSTRUCTOR’S SEMINAR – Seishinkan Honbu Dojo, Concepcion.
From December 13 to 16, the annual course of instructors and examination of black belts of the Seishinkan organization took place in Chile, where George and Alex sensei had the opportunity to participate in the training sessions and witness the examination of three applicants for Shodan black belt who also, fulfilling the standards of our school, presented their research and documents that led by title:
“HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT OF ISSHIN RYU IN SOUTH AMERICA”, by Antonia Arévalo
Supported by previously developed works, tried to move towards the clarification of facts that are still part of a dense confusion. A true challenge without a doubt, which requires a deep process of investigation in addition to a broad and comprehensive historical vision not only of local facts, but of Isshinryu itself as well.
“”CONTRIBUTIONS OF SPORTS KARATE TO TRADITIONAL KARATE”, by Rodrigo Aqueveque.
Brief presentation that goes in the quest to make disappear the thin line between the sporting and traditional aspect of karate, sustaining at the same time that it is the latter that represents if any doubt the solid foundations of the sporting aspect.
“HOW TO DETECT AN EMERGENCY HEALTH STATUS IN A KARATE CLASS””, by Yhara Rodriguez Inzunza.
Dissertation that seeks to deliver general and specific guidelines to follow in case of facing a situation that requires first aid attention; information very relevant for instructors who develop in a systematic way the karate classes with different age groups.
It was also carried out a talk where Diego sensei presented the results of a research process started 5 years ago and whose results have come to light the last 3 in the framework of the project carried out in Europe.
The research entitled “Need and Relevance of a Sustainable Leadership in Martial Arts Organizations” carried out in 2013, together with “Ichi go Ichi e: The Path of Inner Strength” in 2014, are the theoretical basis that sustains the results exposed during a discussion that lasted for more than two hours in the “Gladys Matus” auditorium in the San Sebastian University, the author’s Alma Matter. With this, Diego Sensei also met the Seishikan standards by closing the 5th Dan graduation process initiated in Okinawa, Japan, within the framework of the organization’s past tour to the Karate Do island.
INSTRUCTORS GASSHUKU & BLACK BELT RANK TEST – CHILE 2018
INSTRUCTORS GASSHUKU CHILE 2018
YHARA RODRIGUEZ – Shodan Rank test
INSTRUCTORS GASSHUKU CHILE 2018
GEORGE CRACIUNESCU – OSVALDO RODRIGUEZ – DIEGO RODRIGUEZ. Instructors Gasshuku, Chile 2018
A whole weekend of training and pleasant moments of sharing, were the perfect framework to officially welcome the guests who arrived from Romania only a couple of days before the second capital of the country, Concepcion.
2nd KIDS SEMINAR 2018, Seishinkan Haruki Dojo, Los Angeles
From December 20 to 22, Seishinkan Haruki dojo, led by Pamela Diaz Seguel, was responsible for host the second seminar and children’s training scheduled on the tour’s agenda.
George Sensei leading a kids session – Los Angeles Chile 2019
WUIKA EUROPE & WUIKA SOUTH AMERICA – Los Angeles Chile 2019
ALEX COVASA & JOAQUIN ALVARES – WUIKA TOUR 2018- 2019
George Sensei leading a kids session – Los Angeles Chile 2019
George Sensei leading a kids session – Los Angeles Chile 2019
George Sensei leading a kids session – Los Angeles Chile 2019
OSVALDO RODRIGUEZ & GEORGE CRACIUNESCU during the Kids Seminar in Los Angeles, Chile. WUIKA Tour 2018 – 2019
Magaly Inzunza Sensei leading a kids session – Los Angeles Chile 2019
DIEGO SENSEI leading a Children Karate Class – Los Angeles Chile 2019
With a large number of participants considering the festive season, one of the fundamental objectives of the visit was met: instructors from both continents exchanging experiences and knowledge about how to best develop the task of teaching the youngest in the different dojos of Isshinryu around the world. A tremendously enriching experience for all participants that seeks to strengthen the transcendental work of karate in supporting the training and education processes of the generations of the future and, at the same time, the instructors who carry out this task
SEISHINKAN HARUKI DOJO – Los Angeles Chile – WUIKA Europe, Chile Tour 2018 -2019
The final touch to close the activity on the 22nd, was a general training led by Osvaldo Rodriguez Sensei and an exhibition of Tokushinryu Kobudo (Click here for more Videos) that had Diego sensei at the head, accompanied by Kobudo students from the Honbu dojo of Concepcion.
Following the tradition of some dojos in Okinawa, on December 31, 2018, from 23:00 hrs, until January 01, 2019 at 00:45, the 1st Toshikoshi Keiko took place; last and first training that dismisses the old year and welcomes the new one with special energy and enthusiasm for those who are part of this tradition.
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With the participation of Miguel Angel Ullivarri Sensei (Kendo Concepcion and former president of the federation in Chile) George and Alex sensei became part of the history of our school to be part of the group that had an appointment for the first time to share this training, which followed a pleasant evening to the rhythm of “Kanpai” and music in the purest Ryukyu style.
TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO SOUTH AMERICA 2019 SEMINAR & RANK PROMOTION, Seishinkan Honbu Dojo, Concepcion
Between the 4th and 6th of January, 2019, the first official activity of the year took place in the Honbu Dojo. Students from the most dedicated Tokushinryu groups in the country along with George and Alex sensei, gathered during this weekend to align the curriculum, share experiences and why not, receive a little inspiration for the Do.
Kata, Kihon, Bunkai and Kumite of the main weapons (Bo, Sai, Tekko, Ticku and Tonfa) were part of the topics developed during the days that were also complemented with the valuable contribution of Diego Rodriguez sensei (Tokushinryu Kobudo Europe), who was in charge of transmitting a bit of the perspective and way of approaching the practice of Kobudo by the students in Europe, thus fulfilling another of the fundamental objectives of the tour.
TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO RANK PROMOTION
TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO SEMINAR – CHILE 2019
TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO SEMINAR, CHILE 2019
TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO SEMINAR – Tekko Kihon
IVAN PARRA SENSEI (Seishinkan Takeshi Budo) – DIEGO RODRIGUEZ SENSEI (Seishinkan Europa) – MAURICIO LOPEZ SENSEI (Seishinkan Honbu Dojo)
TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO SEMINAR, CHILE 2019
TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO SEMINAR, CHILE 2019
TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO SEMINAR, CHILE 2019
TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO SEMINAR, CHILE 2019
Mauricio Lopez, Alfonso Lavanchy and Joaquin Alvares closed their Shodan graduation cycle in Tokushinryu Kobudo, which began last August in Okinawa, with a practical examination and also presented their research and documents on the following subjects:
“THE 5 MOST RELEVANT LINES OF OKINAWAN KOBUDO: STYLES AND TEACHERS”, by Mauricio Lopez Quiróz.
A historical look at the past of Okinawan Kobudo; lineages, their forerunners, teachers and outstanding students with the aim of delivering a solid perspective on how they came to shape the styles and schools that we know today.
“THE TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO ORIGINS”by Alfonso Lavanchy Needham.
A look at the historical past and the bases that sustain Master Kensho Tokumura in the creation and development of Tokushinryu Kobudo.
“BIOGRAPHY OF KENSHO TOKUMURA SENSEI: Life, History and Principles”, by Joaquin Alvares Noranbuena.
“I teach Budo,” Tokumura sensei often says. Those who have had the opportunity to meet him and the fortune of training with him in more than one occasion, will be able to find in him everything they need to know about his Kobudo style. A look at the history of a dedicated practitioner of Karate and Kobudo with a vast experience that he does not hesitate to share. Dissertation and work that contributes to the better understanding and the Tokushinryu Student’s contextualisation of the in the Honbu dojo of South America.
Added to the group of students who ascended in the Kyu ranks, the seminar and last official activity of the tour had a magnificent framework of participation that also included the visit of sensei and instructors from other schools who are interested in starting their practices in Tokushinryu Kobudo.
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GENERAL COMMENTS & THANKS
“Since I heard from Sensei Diego about this program, in early 2017, I figured out how beautiful it can be and I then said that I must sign up! During the summer of the same year, when I was announced that I was going to participate I was very happy and at the same time a little scared, now that my dream of travelling to Chile had become an imminent reality. My first thought was the long period, which included the winter holidays that I will spend there, away from my family back home. I said then that such an opportunity should not be missed and that I have to be prepared for such feelings when the time comes to go. Once there, after a long but very beautiful journey, the first impression of this country on another continent, so far away, was that it resembles much with my country, Romania. People, alike friendly and eager to help. These things helped me feel more integrated than I expected. Having always kept in mind the purpose of this trip, I tried to spend as much time in the dojo and in the training rooms to discover the training style of the Seishinkan School. I was really impressed by the technical level I found there. The students of this school, led by Sensei Osvaldo, have shown that they have a very good technique and a high level of understanding of this art. One of the many things I’ve seen and that I really liked was the fact that there’s a lot of emphasis on courtesy and the traditional Okinawan way of doing things. Here it was obvious the close link of this school with the roots of our Okinawa style. Our host, Sensei Osvaldo, is a wonderful man with a pungent energy. Always with the smile on his lips, he took care that everyone would receive the necessary corrections while practising in the dojo, being very understanding and patient. This has been a great deal and made me come to all the training and seminars with great pleasure, trying to assimilate as much new information as possible. His vast experience in the world of martial arts, in different styles, has made the resulting technique extremely efficient and powerful. Although I knew quite a lot about Sensei Osvaldo, once I met him, i was always surprised by his way of being, through the modesty and friendship he has shown me. Equally, SenseiMagaly – Sensei Osvaldo’s wife -, who focuses her work on children, has devoted me a lot of time to discuss and explain the work techniques she uses in training which is of great use to me given that here, in Romania, I teach Karate to many children. We had very long and interesting discussions, a real help for me, I was able to assist and work with her during the sessions and seminars held during the period when I was there. I really felt the desire to share with me her great experience in working with children. This is priceless for me, reason for which I want to thank again on this occasion. The whole team of practitioners of this school has been very friendly to me for the entire duration of my stay there. I have had many social activities where I feel part of their team. I do not feel for a moment I was an outsider, regarded with scepticism. More than that, Joaquin and Macarena – a fantastic couple who was responsible for me all the time – quickly became my best friends on another continent. They took care that my experience outside the dojo was there to be as good as possible, full of interesting activities in a wonderful country. Also, my good friend Sensei Diego, who has spent a lot of time and effort in the last year to improve my technique, was responsible for creating this unprecedented event for us. Just like we already know, characterised by professionalism and seriousness, he always ensured that things are in order for me and that I have the most pleasing experience possible. I know that everything of what I have lived and found in Chile was not at all haphazard or luck, and that’s why I want to thank him. In conclusion, the whole experience in Chile gave me more than I expected, both from the point of view of the martial arts and the perspective of a tourist. It is a very beautiful country, with special people and where you can have unforgettable and extremely helpful experiences in your career as a martial artist. It was definitely not the last time I will be travelling to Chile!”
ALEX COVASA
WUIKA Europe
Isshinryu Karate Romania
Nidan
“—I hope that the future of karate will be just about having fast techniques, or being strong. I want people to understand the spirit of karate. Make more friends, help the weak, learn more each other and live a meaningful life through the practice of karate. This is karate —“
I stop to think about the process and final result of this project and to define it, I choose this simple words of an outstanding teacher in Okinawa.
For my part, I send a sincere and enormous thanks to all those who were part and made this project possible. To the directors of WUIKA in Europe for supporting this dream from the start, to George, Alex for the trust placed in our work and dare to be part of this tour and history.
To Osvaldo Rodriguez Sensei in Chile for the tremendous deployment and logistic team in Chile that hosted the different activities in the different dojos and groups at every opportunity; everything was splendid
It is my most sincere wish as a student and member of the board of directors of Seishinkan & WUIKA that activities like this are increasingly frequent and that it involves more and more people and organizations related to our mission and vision. For this reason I leave the concern and the mission to those who are inspired by this type of activity, to contribute to its happening again. It depends on us.
Sincerely, your partner and friend in the practice of Budo”
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ INZUNZA
Seishikan Budo School
Godan Isshinryu Karate Do
Stockholm, Sweden
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Stockholm Sweden – November, 2018.
Less than a month after the delegation of WUIKA Europe begins its trip to South America to be part of the event called “TOKUSHINRYU & WUIKA EUROPE SOUTH AMERICA – CHILE TOUR 2018-2019” , we publish a new update detailing the most relevant activities and the schedules that will take place in different dojos, thus fulfilling the main objective of the tour.
Regular training, Black Belts & Children Master Classes, Technical Seminars and Rank Promotions are some of the most outstanding events whose details are presented below.
WUIKA INTERNATIONAL ISSHIN RYU SEMINAR: December 20 – 23 of 2018
Contact & further information: secretariaseishinkan@gmail.com
MASTER CLASS FOR YOUNGSTERS & CHILDREN: December 12th and 14th, 2018.
Hosted by Seishinkan Dojo’s in San Pedro de la Paz, Chile.
Contact & Further information: Jose Miguel Riesco +56 998841725 – secretariaseishinkan@gmail.com
TOSHI KOSHI KEIKO (new years eve training and celebration)at the Seishinkan Honbu Dojo, Concepcion Chile. From 31/12/2018 at 23:30, until 01/01/2019 at 00:30
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Without further ado, the WUIKA & Seishinkan Budo organizations cordially invite all Okinawan Karate and Kobudo enthusiasts to participate in the first international event of these characteristics, which aims to be the first of many to take place in the years to come.
With great joy and enthusiasm, Seishinkan Europe wishes to communicate that the two people who have decided to be part of the project described in this article are Alex Covasa sensei and George Craciunescu sensei. Both dedicated budokas belonging to the Joshinkan school of Lars Andersen sensei, current representatives and active members of WUIKA Europe in Romania and are currently working hard in the consolidation and expansion of Isshinryu in the region.
The Seishinkan organization, through its president, Sensei Osvaldo Rodriguez and its representative in Europe Sensei Diego Rodriguez, wishes to thank on behalf of all our members, the trust placed and the effort made by all in this project, which seeks to develop the mission of Seishinkan and contribute to the goal of WUIKA to “unify, promote and strengthen the Isshinryu around the world, through providing instances of training and exchange among its members around the world”
Being just a couple of months away from being carried out, the executive committee works hard on a month-long agenda that considers special trainings, the examination of black belts of Seishinkan students, visits to the dojos in the country, historical talks and above all generate the exchange that allows this to be only the first of many similar events to develop among students from different schools, organizations and in different continents.
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Europe, March 2018.
In December of this 2018, Diego sensei will be travelling to Chile, as part of a tour organized jointly by Seshinkan Europe and South America. This tour includes carrying out a series of training in Isshinryu Karate and seminars of Tokushinryu Kobudo, and thus contribute to the growth, updating and above all, consolidation of Tokushinryu in the region, in addition to visiting the hombu dojo of Seishinkan.
A relevant aspect of this project is that it provides an opportunity for an active member of WUIKA (World United Isshinryu Karate Association) and/or Tokushinryu Kobudo in Europe to be part of this tour with Diego sensei and thus generate the opportunity for an exchange that enhances cultural growth, human and above all in the martial art of both parties.
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THE PROJECT
The tour includes the departure from Europe on December 15, 2018, and will run until January 10, 2019. The Seishinkan and WUIKA South America organization will receive the student who decides to be part of the trip during their stay and will be able to participate in all daily training in the various disciplines (Isshinryu Karate, Tokushinryu Kobudo, Kendo and Aikijujutsu) developed in the different dojos of the country and participate in addition to the seminars and activities scheduled during the tour.
The great challenge then, for those who have the sincere desire to undertake this adventure, will be on the one hand to cover their flight tickets and be willing to live a new experience that involves enjoying the end of year celebrations away from home. However, a pleasant stay, much training and growth will also be part of this experience.
DETAILS:
Departure:15/12/2018 (aprox)
Return:10/01/2018 (aprox)
Travel Itinerary:
Europe (local airport) – Santiago de Chile (SCL) – Concepcion (CCP)
Concepcion (CCP) – Santiago de Chile (SCL) – Europe (local airport)
Expenses to be covered by the interested party:
Roundtrip flight tickets
Sufficient funds to cover personal expenses.
Expenses to be covered by Seishinkan:
Staying and basic meals. A student from our school will be happy to receive anyone who wishes to be part of this project.
Participation in seminars and trainings during this period in the dojos that you visit.
Who can participate:All students of Isshinryu and/or Tokushinryu Kobudo in Europe, of legal age, who are interested and able to travel. There is no minimum rank requirement, however, the desire to travel, train and grow is essential.
Deadline: There is no deadline to make the decision but the interested parties are encouraged to contact us and start managing the tickets as soon as possible to get them for a good price.
Limit of participants:Being the first time that a project of this magnitude is carried out in our organization, there is a limit of quotas for those who want to participate, which is why we recommend to contact us as soon as possible.
This project is aligned with the mission and specific objectives of Seishinkan, which are aimed at “Providing their students with opportunities to constantly nourish themselves from diverse sources of knowledge related to the practice and development of Martial Art in general, and Isshinryu Karate & Tokushinryu Kobudo in particular, and orienting them in this way towards the maximum practical and theoretical development ” and “establish networks and alliances with different organizations of Oriental Martial Arts, national and international and contribute in this way to the enrichment of the practitioners of both organizations”.
Also, the tour has the support of the WUIKA and Tokushinryu Kobudo organizations in Europe and South America that, through their respective directors Lars Andersen sensei and Osvaldo Rodriguez sensei, have expressed their total cooperation and enthusiasm in that the activity is carried out with the greatest of successes and the first of many to come.
Finally, it is considered important to mention that the project also comes to realize one of the deepest yearnings of the author, who has also been one of the main engines that guide and promote his daily work in terms of martial art and its project in Europe, which is about to complete its second year.
From this moment Seishinkan Budo School is attentive to the hundreds of doubts that will surely invade the minds of many, which is why I cordially invite you do not hesitate to contact me to guide them in the best way possible and in this way together make it possible this longed-for project.
referees of the WUKF (World Union of Karate Federation) so that they could carry out the task of providing justice during the tournament. With this purpose, the event agenda considered a meeting for coaches and referees during the morning of Thursday 25 with the aim of clearing doubts, transparent regulation and joining criteria in general terms for the evaluation of competitors in kata.
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ INZUNZA
