As part of a new trip to Chile between the 11th of December and the 7th of January, the Tokushinryū Kobudō summer camp and rank promotion was held at the South American honbu dojo. Kyū rank promotions took place alongside Ivan Parra sensei and Alfonso Lavanchy (Tokushinryū Kobudō Los Angeles and Santiago representatives respectively) who were promoted to Ni dan.
BŌ – TONFA KUMI TRAINING
BŌ JŪTSU SESSION
SAI JŪTSU SESSION
KYŪ RANK PROMOTION – December 2021
NIDAN PROMOTIONS – December 2021
SAI JŪTSU SESSION
LONG WEAPONS SESSION
At the board meeting, held on August 19, 2021 in Stockholm, it was agreed to appoint honorary members and special advisors of Seishinkan Budō Sweden as a token of appreciation for their support and guidance focused on who leads the group in Sweden, sensei Diego Rodriguez, Isshinryū Karate Godan and Tokushinryū Kobudō Nidan, who moved to the Swedish capital within the framework of a personal development project and whose main objective has been the establishment of our school in Europe, from which the stimulation and development of cooperation ties with other schools can take place, thus benefiting the students of our school and all those who are linked to the practice and development of martial arts.
Taking advantage of this relevant event, Osvaldo Rodríguez sensei and Iván Parra sensei were recognised in honor of their merits and important contribution in the establishment and foundation of the headquarters of our school in the city of Stockholm, Sweden, which officially began operations on May 10, 2021.
OSVALDO RODRIGUEZ SENSEI – Seishinkan Budō School, President & founder. Concepcion, ChileRECOGNITION & AWARD CEREMONY – Chile, December 2021IVAN PARRA SENSEI – Seishinkan Takeshi Budō, Los Angeles ChileOsvaldo Rodriguez – Ivan Parra – Diego Rodriguez
EVERY JOURNEY BEGINS WITH A FIRST STEP
Undoubtedly, the bond established with the representative of Isshinryū Karate and Tokushinryū Kobudō in Europe, sensei Lars Andersen, was and continues to be a cornerstone in the present of our school in Sweden. This connection can be traced back to the year 2001 in Atlanta, USA, where Osvaldo Rodriguez and Lars Andersen sensei had the opportunity to share in the framework of the Traditional Okinawa Rengokai Karate & Kobudo World Championship, where Uechi Tsuyoshi sensei taught the corresponding Isshinryū seminar.
This relationship would extend years later through Diego Rodriguez, who traveled to the Danish capital in 2016 as part of a personal project, establishing contact with Lars Andersen sensei and beginning a productive and important relationship through the practice of Isshinryū Karate and Tokushinryū Kobudō to this day.
OSVALDO RODRIGUEZ SENSEI
Seishinkan Budō School president & founder – Honbu dojo, Chile.
Isshinryū Karate 7th Dan – Tokushinryū Kobudō 4th Dan. He began his Karate training in 1973.
“Issued as plenary recognition for his important contribution in the founding process of Seishinkan Budō in Europe and as a consequence, to the expansion of the spirit and teaching of Budō in the region”
IVAN PARRA SENSEI
Seishinkan Budō – Takeshi Dojo, Los Angeles, Chile
Isshinryū Karate 6th Dan – Tokushinryū Kobudō 2nd Dan. He began his Karate training in 1986
“Issued as plenary recognition a the trajectory and significant contribution to Seishinkan Budō School throughout the years and to the development and expansion of the Okinawan Karate & Kobudō in Chile”
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We hope with this, to contribute in the recognition of some of the many representatives of Isshinryū Karate, Tokushinryū Kobudō and related arts in all five continents.
Arriving in the middle of 2020 and according to the calendar of activities for this year, a group of Seishinkan should be in the second week of training in Okinawa, within the framework of the tour scheduled last year and which contemplated various activities in Karate Kaikan 沖縄空手会館 and a series of trainings with Uechi Tsuyoshi and Tokumura Kensho sensei.
As expected, the event was not left out of the global health crisis that has affected all countries, forcing changes to be made and events suspended.
Below and as usual since last year, we review the most relevant activities carried out during the first period of 2020.
TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO EUROPE – Winter Camp & 2020 Tokushinryu Cup
February 28th – March 1st, Copenhagen Denmark, 2020
With the usual attendance of kobudokas from Germany, Sweden and Denmark, the 6th version of the Tokushinryu Kobudō Europe Winter Camp and 5th Tokushinryu Cup took place at the facilities of the Valby Shibu in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Friday was the official event’s kick off with a session of just over two hours led by experienced instructor Jim R. Sindt sensei, personal student and representative of Hanshi Patrick McCarthy 9th dan.
Sindt sensei holds 6 dan in Koryu Uchinady and 4th dan in Yamane-Ryū Kobudō and he was the special guest that the organization had with the aim of enriching and contributing to technical growth through other perspectives related to the training and development of traditional weapons.
The session was oriented to the use of the Sai, through an exercise developed by McCarthy sensei and which has the particularity of being in continuous evolution as it is the focus of contribution of the Koryu Uchinadi groups in the world, therefore, you can frequently see multiple variants (Click here for videos)
TOKUSHINRYU CUP 2020
Making its debut the WUKF point scale system in all rounds, the 5th version of the Tokushinryu Cup was carried out, whose logistics was led in this occasion by Martin Frederiksen sensei, who has been following and contributing closely the incorporation of the kobudo as a division in the last national tournaments of the WUKF. This effort also adds to the one developed by Lars Andersen sensei who is emerging as one of the Kobudo leaders in the region by being the new kobudo coach of the national team (WUKF Danish Team)
TOKUSHINRYU CUP – 2020
JUDGES BRIEFING
1st Place – Diego Rodriguez
2nd Place – Andreas Mitschkewitz
3rd Place – Nilas Hjalte Lundt Simonsen
To provide an international standard, the tournament was held under international WUKF rules and external judges supplemented the refereeing work.
Three rounds using points and not flag system, determine the podium for this 2020 Tokushinryu Cup as follow:
1st place:Diego Rodriguez, Seishinkan Sweden (Tokushin no Nunti Sai – Final round Kata)
2nd place:Andreas Mitschkewitz, Joshinkan Germany (Chatanyara no Sai. – Final round Kata)
3rd place:Nilas Hjalte Rundt, Tokushinryu Denmark (Tokumine no Kon – Final round Kata)
During May, the initiative promoted by Eduardo L. Gonzalez sensei, Isshinryu Puerto Rico, was carried out, which aimed to mobilize Isshinryu groups around the world within the framework of the event called “Isshinryu Worldwide 2020, Virtual Tournament”. The event took place from the situation generated by the still current health emergency that affects the world and that has forced to drastically modify the functioning of societies, directly affecting the practice of physical activities and sports. Undoubtedly, all the Isshinryu dojos and practitioners in the world have also been affected, so this initiative was in search of supporting them.
The event consisted of organizing a virtual tournament in which the competitors participated by performing a karate kata and / or Kobudo which they had to record and upload to the event platform to be evaluated by a panel of 7 judges. The score would be delivered after the deadline, determining the podiums in the different categories that would later give way to the Karate Kata & Kobudo Grand Champion division.
In order to find an adequate balance in the evaluation of the kata, the panel of judges formed it this time:
Russell Gunnyrusp Best Sensei
Javier Martinez Sensei
Eduardo L Gonzalez Sensei
Alexis G. Morales Sensei
Pablo Molina Sensei
Osvaldo Rodriguez Sensei
Andy Sloane Sensei
The deadline to upload the videos on the event platform was May 3 and the results would be published a couple of days later. Some of the most relevant criteria to consider were an “adequate sequence of movements, appropriate use of positions and posture and the ability to stay in focus. Strength and precision in the execution of basic techniques, demonstrate courtesy with attitude, good spirit, good effort and contact correct visual and observation of the basic elements kata: strength levels, contraction and expansion of the body and changes in the speed of techniques”.
Eduardo L. Gonzalez sensei was very optimistic and gave a positive balance of the activity:
Being these the 1st Isshinryu Virtual Tournament, more than 50 competitors from different parts of the world attended, many of them exhibiting great technical quality. The task from the beginning was challenging when having to find a team of judges that allows balancing the evaluation. We have R. P. Best (9th dan), Javier Martinez (9th dan), Alexis Morales (8th dan) Osvaldo Rodriguez (7th dan), Pablo Molina (7th dan) and Andy Sloane (6th dan).
The competition was divided by sex, age and ranks, which gave a total of 35 first places in the respective divisions and with two Great Champions in Kata of Karate and Kobudo. With the participation of students from Puerto Rico, the United States, Argentina, Chile, the Dominican Republic and Sweden, the winning school with the highest participation was determined by the highest number of podiums reached by each group.
KATA KARATE GRAND CHAMPION: Antonia Arevalo, Seishinkan Budo School, Chile
KATA KOBUDO GRAND CHAMPION: Diego Rodriguez, Seishinkan Budo School, Sweden.
SCHOOL WITH THE LARGEST PARTICIPATION: Seishinkan Budo School – Chile. Determined by best average performance after a triple tie between Chile, Argentina and Puerto Rico.
The quality and professionalism of the karateka was of the highest possible level for which our Association congratulates and recognizes them. Thank you for making this event a great success and we look forward to seeing you next year. Eduardo L Gonzalez Pablo Molina Founding members of APOIKK.
PODIUM PERFORMANCES:
Karate Kata Grand Champion performance – Antonia Arevalo, Seishinkan Budo School, Chile. Isshinryu Karate – Sunsu Kata (Click Here)
Kobudo Kata Grand Champion performance – Diego Rodriguez, Seishinkan Budo School, Sweden. Isshinryu Kobudo – Shishi no Kon Kata (Click Here)
Karate Kata 1st Place (3rd to 5th dan) – Diego Rodriguez, Isshinryu Karate Sunsu Kata (Click Here)
Kobudo Kata 1st Place (3rd to 5th dan) – Diego Rodriguez, Isshinryu Kobudo Urashi Bo (Click Here)
Considering the large number of Isshinryu groups around the world, the realities and challenges of each one in normal times, this initiative proved to be a powerful platform that allowed participants to be motivated to show the results of the regular training processes in each region, being able to appreciate the technical differences but above all the large number of practitioners involved with the systematic practice of Isshinryu. Undoubtedly, the challenge remains for leaders to be able to concentrate criteria, promote exchange activities that allow each group to permeate different perspectives with which the practice of martial art in the world is approached. The long-awaited summit will continue to be able to organize a worldwide event in which the number of Isshinryu groups that can exchange training, contribute to the growth and strengthening of Okinawa Karate grows.
From Chile the initiative was highly valued, and from the beginning a team willing to participate was coordinated, thus supporting an activity that was characterized by the use of communication platforms and social networks to see the realities of different practitioners around the world. Along with this, he gave extra motivation to many of the participants to prepare the best possible performance given the individual conditions due to the health situation.
Seishinkan Budo School thanks the organising team and judges for the time invested in this activity, looking forward to the second version that will allow us to continue cultivating exchange relationships worldwide.
Link of interest: courtesy of Eduardo L. Gonzalez sensei, here you can find the link to the event where more details and all the audio-visual records are still available – CLICK HERE –
2nd TERM ACTIVITIES: Foreseeable Future
With the progressive but also uncertain reopening of the borders of many countries in the European Union added to the particular situation of each region (Okinawa for example, with more than 54 days without registering contact cases and the South American continent going through the winter season with a rather diverse picture of realities) it creates a rather bumpy panorama in which it is difficult to predict at this time how the activities scheduled for the second semester will develop.
“OKINAWAN KARATE NORDIC SEMINAR, in the footsteps of Grand Master Chotoku Kyan” – Stockholm Sweden.
The organizing team is closely monitoring the situation, waiting to make a final decision as soon as possible to determine the suspension of the 2020 version of the event, which has been acquiring traditional edges for the past 2 years.
“The 1st Okinawan Karate Nordic Seminar, Sweden 2018” – Click Here
“The 2nd Okinawan Karate Nordic Seminar – Helsinki 2019” – Click Here
SEISHINKAN BUDO SCHOOL, Okinawa tour 2020.
Deferred until further notice with possibilities of being carried out in early 2020.
“OKINAWA 2018: Training Sessions & Rank Promotions” – Click Here
Suspended by the organizing team, which until now leaves the past “2020 Winter Camp & Tokushinryu Cup” as the only camp in the organization that will bring together the European kobudokas this year.
WUIKA & TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO EUROPE South America Tour, Concepcion, Chile 2021.
The project promoted by Diego Rodríguez and strongly supported by the WUIKA organization in Europe and South America that invites any member of Isshinryu and / or Tokushinryu to participate in the exchange and travel to the headquarters of WUIKA and Seishinkan in South America with Diego Rodríguez sensei is in the evaluation stage, considering the situations facing both continents regarding the health crisis and the final decision is expected to be made as soon as possible.
Interested parties are welcome to express their interest in being part of this experience that already has wonderful results in the first version carried out in 2018-2019.
“WUIKA & TOKUSHINRYU EUROPE South America – Chile Tour 2018-2019”Click Here
Seishinkan Budo School Europe is hoping that the entire community is healthy and strong in the face of the current health situation. Perseverance in Budo, strength and patience in the Karate & Kobudo training
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.
Yhara Rodriguez – Empty Hand Kata 1st Place
Diego Rodriguez – Advanced Kobudo Short Weapon 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.
Between July 25 and 28, 2019, the IWKA 2019 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP will take place for the first time in Europe in the city of London, England. The event is hosted by the Seishinkan Martial Arts USA(Michael Calandra sensei, Isshinryu 8th dan, direct student of Kishiro Shimabuku sensei) and Gosshin Isshinryu Karate London UK(R. Ramathas Sensei, Isshinryu 5th dan, IWKA director in the UK), and will have the presence and support of the president of the IWKA (Isshinryu World Karate Association) Master Kishiro Shimabuku, who will also be teaching technical seminars of Isshinryu with Calandra sensei.
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The event, which is open to all Isshinryu groups in the world, will have participants from all over Europe, the United States and South America, who will take part in the empty hand Kata, Kobudo kata and Kumite divisions. Referee seminars will also hosted by Essam Shereif, Vice President of the WUKF (World Union of Karate-do Federation), who was present at the last WUKF World Championship in Bratislava.
Diego Rodriguez sensei will attend the event as a representative of Seishinkan Budo School South America and will be part of the WUIKA team (World United Isshinryu Karate Association) that in this opportunity gathers representatives from organizations in the United States (led by John Ingram Sensei) and Europe (led by Lars Andersen Sensei) and South America (led by Osvaldo Rodriguez Sensei). This will also be the first event to which WUIKA presents itself as a team, complementing in this way the work that has been developed over the last few years with the aim of serving as a platform for all serious Isshinryu practitioners (regardless of what organisation it comes from) to train under the aegis of regional directors around the globe.
The WUIKA team will assembled in this opportunity of Isshinryu students from the United States, Chile, Romania, Sweden and Denmark belonging to the different schools that make up the World United Isshinryu Association.
Seishinkan Budo School Europe already wishes all the participants the best of success in the event and that it also results in a magnificent opportunity for meeting and training for all the Isshinryu practitioners in the world.
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
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ SENSEI
MAURICIO LOPEZ & FERNANDO SMITH – SHURI-TE / TOMARI-TE KEI – Adults II
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 CHILE 2018
GEORGE CRACIUNESCU – OSVALDO RODRIGUEZ – DIEGO RODRIGUEZ. Instructors Gasshuku, Chile 2018
INSTRUCTORS GASSHUKU & BLACK BELT RANK TEST – CHILE 2018
YHARA RODRIGUEZ – Shodan Rank test
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.
OSVALDO RODRIGUEZ & GEORGE CRACIUNESCU during the Kids Seminar in Los Angeles, Chile. WUIKA Tour 2018 – 2019
George Sensei leading a kids session – Los Angeles Chile 2019
WUIKA EUROPE & WUIKA SOUTH AMERICA – Los Angeles Chile 2019
DIEGO SENSEI leading a Children Karate Class – Los Angeles Chile 2019
Magaly Inzunza Sensei leading a kids session – 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
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 SEMINAR – Tekko Kihon
TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO SEMINAR, CHILE 2019
TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO SEMINAR, CHILE 2019
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 RANK PROMOTION
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.
JOEN NAKAZATO SENSEI – OKINAWA SHORINJI RYU KARATE
The event, held for the first time in Scandinavia, was organized by the school Shorinjiryu Sweden, led by Robert Iversen Sensei and had representatives from Finland, Sweden and the special participation of Diego Rodriguez Sensei from Chile, who is currently based in the capital of Sweden.
The various training session was developed by the following instructors:
Robert Iversen Sensei, Okinawa Shorinji Ryu Sweden, 7th dan.
Kim Mitrunen Sensei, Okinawa Shorin Ryu Seibukan Finland, 5th dan
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ SENSEI – Okinawa Isshinryu Karate & Kobudo
The training sessions were aimed at showing and developing the similarities in the techniques and principles of the three styles. This is how the training itinerary was divided into:
The overall balance of the activity was positive on the part of the instructors and participants who valued instances like these to develop greater perspectives of Okinawan karate and enrich their training process in each style.
ISSHINRYU SEISAN KATA TRAINING
ISSHINRYU BASIC APPLICATIONS
ISSHINRYU SEISAN KATA APPLICATIONS
BO BASICS
ISSHINRYU PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
BO BASICS
ISSHINRYU BASIC BUNKAI
SHORINRYU SEIBUKAN – KIM MITRUNEN SENSEI
ISSHINRYU SEISAN KATA BUNKAI
Participants from other styles of karate such as Shotokan rated the instance as a great opportunity to learn more about the origins of their style and discover similar principles and techniques in Okinawan roots.
The event is planned to take place annually and rotationally in the different Scandinavian countries, with the following meeting being scheduled for 2019 in Helsinki, Finland, and organized at that time by Kim Mitrunen sensei and the Shorin Ryu school of that country.
OKINAWA SHORINJI RYU
OKINAWA ISSHINRYU KARATE & KOBUDO
OKINAWA SHORIN RYU SEIBUKAN
Seishinkan Budo Europe and the community of Isshinryu in the region highlight, support and appreciate the initiative to create a common space for the practice, development and promotion of Okinawan karate and Kobudo with an integrating perspective and in search of the universal principles that characterize the martial art practiced by thousands of people around the world.
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Pictures courtesy of Lasse Centervik & Shorin Ryu Seibukan Finland.
Next March 17th and 18th, 2018, will take place in Stockholm, Sweden, the event called 1st OKINAWA KARATE & KOBUDO NORDIC SEMINAR, SWEDEN 2018, IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GRAND MASTER CHOTOKU KYAN”
The main objective is to carry out a historical/practical revision of the styles developed from Kyan sensei’s teachings, such as Shorinji Ryu, founded by Joen Nakazato sensei (1922-2010), Shorin Ryu Seibukan founded by Shimabukuro Zenryo (島袋 善良)sensei (1908-1969) and Isshin Ryu founded by Shimabuku Tatsuo (島袋龍夫) sensei ( (1908-1975).
JOEN NAKAZATO SENSEI – OKINAWA SHORINJI RYU KARATE
Tatsuo Shimabuku 島袋龍夫(1908-1975)
The event organized by the school led by Sensei Robert Iversen, Kyoshi 7 Dan (first foreign student of past grandmaster Joen Nakazato Hanshi 10th Dan), will gather representatives of these styles in Scandinavia to carry out two days of training for all lovers of Karate and those who seek to delve into the roots of the more contemporary styles derived from Shorin Ryu.
INSTRUCTORS OF THE SEMINAR
SHORINJI-RYU: Mr Robert Iversen, Kyoshi 7th Dan (first foreign student of past grandmaster Joen Nakazato Hanshi 10th Dan).
OKINAWAN KARATE NORDIC SEMINAR, STOCKHOLM SWEDEN 2018
OKINAWAN KARATE SEMINAR STOCKHOLM 2018 OFFICIAL
GRAND MASTER CHOTOKU KYAN 1970-1945
JOEN NAKAZATO (first to the left) & GRAND MASTER CHOTOKU KYAN IN A PRE-WAR PICTURE AFTER TRAINING
Chotoku Kyan ( 喜屋武朝徳) is one of the most popular names in various historical sources related to Okinawan Karate, both in its origin, development and the significant influence it had on the styles that were founded later on from its teachings.
Born in the year 1970, in the city of Shuri, Okinawa, Kyan sensei stands out for being a tremendously cultured man, with knowledge of Chinese and Japanese literature, the undoubted legacy of his father, Chofli Kyan, a man also tremendously cultured and well educated who served as an officer of King Shotai, the last to reign over the until then known as Ryukyu Kingdom.
Various historical sources describe Kyan sensei as a man of slim build and with repeated health problems, making him look more like a scholar man than a karate teacher. It is presumed that he could also have presented problems in sight, which would explain his nickname “Chanmī-gwā” or “little squinty-eyed”.
Between the years 1882 and 1886, he travels with his father to Tokyo in various embassies of the king, to continue with his training and studied at the same time, Chinese classics at the school known today as Nishogakusha University.
Back in Okinawa, in 1890, Chofli Kyan realized the potential of his son, now 20 years old,
SOKON “BUSHI” MATSUMURA
to become a fighter and aware that he could no longer provide the severe training that he required, to take advantage of his privileged power in the court, to take it to Sokon Matsumura, the King’s main instructor.
From the year 1892, Chotoku Kyan had the opportunity to train with all the most outstanding karate instructors in Okinawa, arriving at a solid base in the Shuri Te. Some of the most prominent ones were Matsumora Kosaku sensei, with whom practice the Tomari Te and learns the kata Chinto and Oyodomari Kokan sensei, Tomari Te, from whom he learns the Passai Kata.
In 1910, he travelled to a Yaeyama Island to learn Tokumine No Kun, but upon arriving on the island Kyan found that Tokumine, who had been exiled to the island for fighting the police with his Bo, had died. The landlord where Tokumine had lived offered to teach at the now famous Chotoku Kyan, the Bo kata of Tokumine. In the year 1922, he learns the Kusanku kata from a man named Yara.
Some of the students of Master Kyan were Arakaki Ankichi, Shimabuku Taro, Shimabuku Tatsuo (founder of Isshin Ryu), Shimabukuro Zenryo (remained a constant student until the death of Kyan and founder of Shorin Ryu) and Nakazato Joen (founder of Shorinji Ryu).
ARAKAKI ANKICHI (1899 – 1929)
JOEN NAKAZATO SENSEI – OKINAWA SHORINJI RYU KARATE
Kyan Sensei was one of the survivors of the battle of Okinawa in 1945 but died of starvation for delivering his food to children who needed more than him. This story is tremendously known for human courage in such hard times that they took Master Kyan to be known as “The Saint” and his grave is visited frequently to know his legend.
MONUMENT OF KYAN CHOTOKU, located at the side of the parking lot of the Kadena Town Youth Center, Okinawa.
TATSUO SHIMABUKU SENSEI, ISSHINRYU & THE LEGACY OF GRAND MASTER CHOTOKU KYAN
Shinkichi “Tatsuo” Shimabuku (島袋龍夫) Sensei, born in Okinawa in 1908 and founder of the Isshinryu (一心流) style, records a very peculiar life as a peasant’s son and with a very hard childhood. Being the first of ten children, at age 13 he began his training in martial arts under the tutelage of his uncle, who later sent him to study Shorin Ryu with Master Kyan.
Shimabuku sensei was an innovator but also one of the most accomplished traditionalists of his time who mastered the finest principles and techniques of Okinawan Karate ( 沖縄空手) and Kobudo (古武道). He learned from great masters the most important systems of the island such as Naha Te, Tomari Te, Shuri Te and Kobujutsu. Under the tutelage of Chotoku Kyan sensei, one of the most perfectionist and severe teachers of the time learns the principles of Shorin Ryu.
DAI SENSEI TATSUO SHIMABUKU
SHIMABUKU SENSEI -AGENA DOJO, OKINAWA
SANSHIN KATA
ISSHINRYU KOBUDO – SAI KATA
MAKIWARA
Tatsuo Shimabuku 島袋龍夫(1908-1975)
His training with Kyan sensei began in about 1927, in the village of Yomitan, Okinawa. In a short time, Shimabuku would become one of the best students of Kyan, learning from him the katas: Seisan (十三), Naihanchi (ナイハンチ), Wansu (ワンシュー), Chinto and Kusanku/Kūshankū (クーシャンクー), in addition to Tokumine nu kon and basic Sai. He also began his study of “Ki” (or “Chinkuchi; (チンク”) “in the Okinawan dialect) by which Kyan was best known.” Shimabuku studied with Kyan until 1939.
WUIKA & SEISHINKAN Europe cordially invites all those interested to participate in the first version of this event, which is planned to be held in each Scandinavian country once per year.
More information on the following link or write us directly.
Between the past 2 and November 14, 2017, an unprecedented event took place, that mobilized various organizations from different countries with the aim of carrying out a tour through several Isshinryu and Tokushinryu’s dojos in Romania.
Diego Rodriguez Sensei of Seishinkan Europe, was sent as a representative by the WUIKA(World United Isshinryu Karate Association) and Tokushinryu Kobudo Europe to contribute to the development and expansion of both Isshinryu and Tokushinryu in Romania. The organizations, through the representative in Europe, Lars Andersen Sensei, have relied on the work of our organization to contribute to this promising project of unity and strength of the different serious Isshinryu organizations that have traditional roots and connections with Okinawa.
In this framework, the event “WUIKA & TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO TOUR, ROMANIA 2017”, is part of the strategic plan of WUIKA to “bring together all the Isshinryu organizations around the world with the only goal of growing, expanding and sharing knowledge and training of the traditional Isshinryu to the new generations”.
WUIKA & TOKUSHINRYU EUROPE TOUR 2017
WUIKA & TOKUSHINRYU EUROPE TOUR 2017
The dojos that were part of this tour, and to whom we extend our deep thanks for the organization, enthusiasm and hospitality are the following:
General basic principles, stances and Isshinryu kihon were the topics developed in all the Dojos, in addition to some general corrections in various katas.
Andreea and Alex sensei were promoted to Nidan, 2nd Dan by WUIKA, after having presented the technical program for the respective grade and having received the pertinent corrections.
BASICS
KICK BASICS
BASIC ISSHINRYU APPLICATIONS
UPPER BODY BASICS
SEISAN KATA
KIHON STAGE
BASIC APPLICATIONS
OKINAWA ISSHINRYU BASIC
BASIC ISSHINRYU APPLICATIONS
KICK BASIC
UPPER BODY BASIC APPLICATION
SEISAN KATA
ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES
KARATE KID STAGE
POSTURE AND BASIC TECHNIQUE
ISSHINRYU KOBUDO TRAINING & CORRECTIONS
Several conversations about the relevance and impact of the activity and future projects also took place during the tour. Parents, political authorities and students expressed their joy and support to the hosting senseis for the activity and also provided the warmest welcome to Diego sensei in each of the dojos that were part of the activity, a situation that will undoubtedly turn this tour into something memorable.
ANDREEA DIANA – NIDAN, 2nd Dan WUIKA
ALEX COVASA – NIDAN, 2nd Dan WUIKA
TOKUSHINRYU KOBUDO EUROPE
George Craciunescu sensei was in charge of hosting the Tokushinryu Kobudo seminar at his school. Review and correction of the complete curriculum until the 1st Kyu and some katas was part of the content of the different training session.
It is worth mentioning that we have the relevant presence and collaboration of Pavalati Roman Sensei, member of Tokushinryu in Romania, who, together with Diego sensei, made a joint effort in correcting technical details, in addition to sharing several training sessions with George and Alex sensei in order to review more advanced katas.
The opportunity was also taken to examine the students who then presented all the technical curriculum required by Tokushinryu Europe for the respective kyu ranks. They were successfully approved and exhorted to continue their training with the same effort and dedication.
TOKUSHINRYU EUROPE – ROMANIA TOUR 2017
C.S. RYUKAY, Tokushinryu Kobudo – George Craciunescu Sensei
KIHON GENERAL CLASS
PAVALATI ROMAN – RODRIGUEZ DIEGO – CRACIUNESCU GEORGE – COVASA ALEX TOKUSHINRYU EUROPE – Romania 2017
KYU RANK TEST
KIHON GENERAL CLASS
GENERAL COMMENTS AND EVALUATION
The overall balance and perception of the activity by students, senseis and responsible organizations has been positive, highlighting the relevance and need to generate new instances of exchange and training that ultimately benefit the future generations of Isshinryu.
For our part, we highlight tremendously the disposition of the authorities and the way in which they have developed the policies that allow giving space to these instances of growth.
We reiterate our thanks to the representative of WUIKA and Tokushinryu in Europe, Sensei Lars Andersen and his school, Joshinkan for sponsoring and contributing significantly to the realization of the activity and for sharing the ideals in the teaching and expansion of Okinawan Karate and Kobudo.
To the various clubs, their senseis, students and parents for supporting this initiative in Romania, which allowed us to set an important precedent for the future of Isshinryu in the country and the world.
C.S. PHOENIX DOJO’S WELCOME
C.S RYUKAY – GEORGE SENSEI & ALEX SENSEI
C.S. SHINOBI JUNIOR BLACK BLET
C.S. KOKORO’S FAMILY
C.S. RYUKAY STAGE
ISSHINRYU: THE WAY OF ONE HEART
C.S KOKORO’S INSTRUCTOR
LUMINITA DAN SENSEI
MIHAI SENSEI GIVIN AN IMPORTANT RECOGNITION TO SENSEI DIEGO FOR THE SUPPORT AND TEACHINGS DURING THE ACTIVITY
C.S. HIKARU DOJO’S FAMILY
BOGDAN SENSEI & DIEGO SENSEI
GEORGE SENSEI – ALEX SENSEI
ISSHINRYU ROMANIA’S FAMILY
ISSHINRYU ROMANIA’S FAMILY
Finally, we wish to express our joy and greater enthusiasm to see how Isshinryu & Tokushinryu contributes to the ultimate goal of Budo through its disciplines: build better people, with a strong mind and body, noble spirit and above all with a good heart.
Stockholm Sweden, July 2020.
Seishinkan Budo School Europe is hoping that the entire community is healthy and strong in the face of the current health situation. Perseverance in Budo, strength and patience in the Karate & Kobudo training
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ INZUNZA
SEISHINKAN BUDO SCHOOL EUROPE 