Initiate the systematic training in Karate-do (空手道) at the age of six at the Okinawa Isshinryū Seishinkan Organisation, whose Hōnbu dojo is located to this day in the city of Concepción, Chile, under the guidance of his parents, Magaly Inzunza Sensei (Isshinryū Karate Yondan, 4th dan) and Osvaldo Rodríguez Sensei (Isshinryū Karate Hashi-dan, 8th dan and Tokushinryū Kobudō Nana dan 7th dan).
As full-time Martial Arts instructors and Physical Education teachers, they identified the potential of karate (空手) as a non-formal educational tool that supported his child’s development at school, university and later in his professional journey.
Driven by a deep sense of commitment to the ideal of giving back through martial arts and thanks to his professional training as a teacher, the use of martial arts as a tool for self-development has become one of the pillars and guiding principles of Diego Rodríguez Sensei, who remain committed to pass this to the next generation alongside the development and promotion of Okinawan Karate and Kobudō.
We invite the reader to briefly delve into his martial career to date.
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu !
どうもありがとうございます
1992 – Concepcion, Chile: Start training Isshinryū Karate dō (一心流空手道) under the guidance of Osvaldo Rodriguez and Magaly Inzunza sensei.
2008 – Concepcion, Chile: Promoted to Shōdan – 1st dan black belt, in Isshinryū Karate & Kobudō 一心流空手古武道. Formally begins to fulfil duties as an instructor at the Seishinkan Hōnbu Dojo, a task he had been performing for several years as an assistant instructor, being responsible for supporting fellow dojo members in their respective martial journeys.
2008 – 2013 Concepcion, Chile: while training to become a Physical Education Teacher, he served as an instructor and leader of the San Sebastián University sports karate team, to which he also was part as an athlete. The latter earned him a sports scholarship for the outstanding athletic record.
2014 – Concepcion, Chile:Promoted to Yōndan, 4th dan black belt, in Isshinryū Karate & Kobudō 一心流空手古武道, receiving on this occasion his Menkyō Kaiden免許皆伝 (License of total transmission, Instructor) in Isshinryū under the OIKKA (Okinawa Isshinryū Karate & Kobudō Association)of Grand Master Angi Uezu (1935 – 2024). The results of the research “Need and relevance of sustained leadership in martial arts organisations” were presented to the examination panel and students who attended the occasion.
2014 – Stockholm, Sweden: while visiting the country, the first steps to open Seishinkan Budō School and start teaching Isshinryū karate are taken. No official Isshinryū dojo yet has ever been open in the country.
2014 – London, England: attending and supporting Master Christopher Chase – Isshinryū Karate 10th dan and current OIKKA president – during the Isshinryū karate seminar and special training sessions.
2016 – Copenhagen, Denmark:after moving from Chile and supported by Osvaldo sensei, makes contact with Lars Andersen sensei, Isshinryū Karate Hashi-dan (8th dan) and Tokushinryū Kobudō Nana-dan (7th dan) and initiate an accelerated program in Tokushinryū Kobudō (徳身流古武道)that culminate with his promotion to 1st dan, Shōdan black belt and authorization to start teaching Tokushinryū Kobudō in Sweden.
2017 – Stockholm, Sweden:relocated after a year in Denmark, informal Isshinryū and Tokushinryū trainings take place.
2018 – Romania:lead an Isshinryū Karate tour for different cities representing WUIKA (World United Isshinryū Karate Association) thanks to the initiative and connections of Lars Andersen sensei, current WUIKA director in Europe.
2018 – Okinawa, Japan: Promoted to Gōdan, 5th dan black belt in Isshinryū Karate & Kobudō. Participation in the “1st Okinawa Karate International Tournament, Okinawa Japan”, reaching the round of 16th.
2018 – Concepcion, Chile:the first “WUIKA & Tokushinryū Europe, South America” exchange program was conducted with students from Romania who traveled to Chile and participated in regular training sessions for a month at the country’s various Seishinkan Budō dojos. The results of the research “Rioky Budō: The way of the inner strength” is presented to the students and examination panel presided by Osvaldo Rodriguez Sensei, thus fulfilling the final requirement of the Gōdan graduation process initiated in Okinawa earlier this year .
2018 – Stockholm, Sweden:responsable instructor for the Isshinryū trainings that took place within the frame of “The 1st Okinawa Karate Nordic Seminar” whose main goal is to bring together the Ryū-ha (styles) that derives from the teachings of grand master Chōtoku Kyan 喜屋武 朝徳(1870 – 1945) in the nordic countries.SEISHINKAN BUDO SCHOOL
2019 – Helsinki, Finland:responsable instructor for the Isshinryū trainings that took place within the frame of “The 2nd Okinawa Karate Nordic Seminar”, whose main goal is to bring together the Ryū-ha (styles) that derives from the teachings of grand master Chōtoku Kyan 喜屋武 朝徳 (1870 – 1945)in the nordic countries.
2021 – Stockholm, Sweden: Grand Opening of Seishinkan Budō School in Sweden. Isshinryū Karate and Tokushinryū Kobudō formal trainings began and offered to the martial arts community and public in general.
2022 – Okinawa Japan: promoted to Sandan, 3rd dan black belt in Tokushinryũ Kobudō by Tokumura Kensho sensei, Tokushinryū Kobudō founder, within the frame of the visit to Okinawa of Seishinkan Budō students from Chile and Sweden. Promotion is later conducted and validated also at the Tokushinryū Kobudō Europe headquarters, following the organisation guidelines, under the examination panel presided by Lars Andersen Sensei, European director for Tokushinryū Kobudō.
2022 – Okinawa Japan:Vice World Champion at “The 2nd Okinawa Karate World Tournament, Okinawa Japan”, Shuri/Tomari-Te Kei, Male 1, performing Isshinryū Karate Seisan Kata十三形and Sunsū Kataスンスウ形
2022 to date: as part of the personal commitment to excellence and continue learning process as martial arts student, annual visits to Uechi Tsuyoshi sensei and Tokumura Kensho sensei in Okinawa, Japan takes place, as well as the development of instructional programs for children and adults in Isshinryū Karate and Tokushinryū Kobudō in Stockholm, Sweden.
Thank you for your interest in our school and we hope the information here has been useful.
Seishinkan Hombu Dojo, Concepcion – Chile. July 1st, 2020.
As usual and following the calendar of activities for this 2020, the examination process for black belt applicants in Chile has officially started on July 1st.
On this occasion, the following students have been summoned to be tested for their next respective ranks:
Mr. ALFONSO LAVANCHY, Nidan applying to Sandan – Seishinkan Omokiri Dojo Director, Santiago, Chile. Mr. JOSE MIGUEL RIESCO, Nidan applying to Sandan – Seishinkan Taiki Dojo Director, San Pedro, Chile. Mr. PAULO VERA, Nidan applying to Sandan- Hombu Dojo Concepcion, Chile. Mr. RODRIGO MONARDES, Nidan applying to Sandan – Hombu Dojo Concepcion, Chile. Mr. GERARDO SALDAÑA, Shodan applying to Nidan – Hombu Dojo Concepcion, Chile. Mr. JUAN MANUEL SEPULVEDA, 1st Kyu, applying to Shodan – Hombu Dojo Concepcion, Chile.
All applicants have been holding for the past few years a consistent period of regular training in addition to developing and participating in support activities in their respective training groups, which is undoubtedly transferred to the rest of the students from the different dojos in the country.
Obeying history and complying with the standard of our organisation, the instance that takes place once a year, contemplates a long process that begins with the two most relevant aspects of evaluation: the theoretical/research aspect and off course the practical / technical part. The latter has been strongly modified in order to adapt to the current health circumstances that affect the regular operation of the honbu dojo, which prevents the regular training aimed at supporting the group. For this reason, an online training calendar has been established, in which it is intended to support more specifically the individual process of each one by the team of senior instructors.
The examining commission, chaired by Osvaldo Rodriguez Sensei, will be completed by the senior Seishinkan instructors team as follow:
OSVALDO RODRIGUEZ Sensei, Nana dan, Seishinkan Budo School – President. IVAN PARRA sensei Roku dan. Seishinkan Takeshi Budo, Los Angeles, Chile. DIEGO RODRIGUEZ sensei, Go dan. Seishinkan Budo Europe. Stocholm, Sweden. MAGALY INZUNZA sensei, Yon dan. Seishinkan Honbu Dojo, Concepcion, Chile. MAURICIO LOPEZ sensei, Yon dan. Seishinkan Tamashi Dojo, Los Lagos region, Chile.
THE PROCESS –
As is already known, the historical standard of our school invites applicants to develop a research topic that begins officially from the moment they are summoned to take part of the process.
Throughout history, the school has seen very interesting investigations, all oriented towards the practice of martial arts (and available in the Seishinkan honbu dojo library, for all interested in reviewing them), ranging from practicing karate 空 手 as a physical activity and / or sport (with volumes of physical conditioning, training systems, exercise physiology, physical therapy, nutrition, etc), the role of pedagogy in the process of teaching martial arts to specific groups of people (pre-schoolers, teenagers, adults, seniors and how this can effectively support the process of formation and education within the formal and non formal aspect), the historical perspective and development of karate do and martial arts (fundamental role of the historical process of Okinawa 沖 縄 in the future development of karate do 空 手 道, history of Isshinryu 一心流 in different parts of the world, etc.) and a look from the sustainable leadership point of view and how to develop it effectively with the aim of achieving a sustainable organisation of martial arts, with all the angles and perspectives that this implies.
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This year and for the first time in history, a particular topic will be the one that will bring the whole group together, thus directing individual efforts towards a collective good which is intrinsically related to the topic itself: “Seishinkan, a school for life”.
In Osvaldo sensei’s own words, “the main premise in this new way of evaluating will be working as a team, so that the written document will be developed in a single topic addressed by all together”
On October 30, the written document must be completed and available for reading by the members of the commission who will have until November 7 to review it, the date on which the presentation will take place via teleconference at a time yet to be confirmed, carried out in Spanish and will be open to all interested parties upon registration (Click here to make your registration).
The technical / practical part, fundamental and mandatory to finalise the examination process, was initially planned for January 2021, with the aim of giving margin to the health crisis derived from COVID-19 that may affect the possibility of carrying out that instance one one hand, and affect the travel itinerary of some members of the commission from abroad on the other.
In this opportunity, all the corresponding Isshinryu technical program for each level will be evaluated, in addition to the Kumite 組手, Kobudo 古武道and Tameshiwari.
ACTIVITIES CALENDAR –
A comprehensive time frame has resulted in a clear schedule in which applicants must comply, among other things, with attending individual training and support sessions via teleconference with part of the team that will evaluate the process and at the same time prepare the research whose results will be presented under the same desire to provide students with tools that contribute to the process of individual development.
This process is also aligned with the institutional mission of our organisation through the specific objectives it pursues. Namely:
“Nurture constantly our students of different knowledge concerning the practice of Karate-Do Isshin Ryu 一心流, oriented towards the maximum theoretical and technical development of all Seishinkan students”.
“Stimulate and generate in our students the ability to transfer the Dojo’s learning to everyday life”
“Deliver practical tools for personal development”
“Nurture our students of solid philosophical foundations that contribute to the search of a personal path of grow”
In this way, the activity calendar provides a clear guiding thread to successfully complete this process.
“Without a doubt one of the great virtues of our school is resilience. Rising, adapting and dealing with circumstances, sometimes disastrous, like a wind in our favor, is something that is at the foundation of Seishinkan. Today is not the exception. Despite the complex moment that our country and humanity are suffering with the contingency of COVID 19, Seishinkan has once again agreed to reinvent itself and will make the project “Black Belt Exam 2020” a historic moment for our school. Without losing the real essence of face-to-face work in the Dojo, but adding the tools that we have in our favor today, a new exam modality has been planned. It will undoubtedly be a great challenge that will once again make our mark. I do not doubt the effort, commitment and dedication of each one of the summoned, from whom I hope the best. My trust and that of everyone is placed in them. For my students, strength, discipline and correct attitude. Never forget: -A true warrior see the invisible, feel the intangible and achieve the impossible-“
OSVALDO RODRIGUEZ SENSEI Seishinkan Hombu Dojo President
“Year 2020. This year has brought us new challenges, new challenges that lead us to meet our deepest self. This year has filled us with fear and torment, but it is up to each of us to succeed. For Seishinkan, this black belt exam is a new way of facing life with pro-activity and resilience. Flexibility; you have to adapt to the circumstances that life offers us, always focusing on the good of situations, despite the harsh and intense they are. The greatest challenge of this exam will undoubtedly be being forced to find yourself and work on your personal limitations. To all the students in the exam: life is giving them the opportunity to be part of a story. Much strength, patience and love towards yourselves”.
Without further ado, Seishinkan and all its members wish everyone the best of success in a process that is expected, stands out for the growth and learning of the entire group involved, and for them to successfully transform the circumstances that have marked this 2020 in something productive that helps them achieve the objectives and goals set.
To those interested in following the process and being part of the videoconference in which the results of the written work will be presented, we invite you to contact us through the following link.
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.
DONALD WASHABAUGH – Isshinryu World Karate Association
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ – World United Isshinryu Association / Seishinkan Budo School
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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TONNI CHRISTIAN – Denmark
LARS ANDERSEN SENSEI- WUIKA Denmark, Kobudo & Karate Kata Division 6th dan and up &
SHELBS MCLANE – WUIKA United States podium
LARS ANDERSEN SENSEI- WUIKA Denmark, Kobudo Division 6th dan and up
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
WUIKA United States podium
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
GEORGE CRACIUNESCU student’s podium – WUIKA Romania & Diego Rodriguez sensei from Chile.
LARS ANDERSEN SENSEI – Denmark
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.
Next April 6th and 7th, 2019, will take place in Helsinki, Finland, the event called “2nd OKINAWA KARATE & KOBUDO NORDIC SEMINAR, FINLAND 2019, IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GRAND MASTER CHOTOKU KYAN”
THE 2nd OKINAWAN KARATE NORDIC SEMINAR, HELSINKI FINLAND 2019 OFFICIAL
CHOTOKU KYAN SENSEI (喜屋武 朝徳) 1870 – 1945
The Okinawan Karate & Kobudo Nordic Seminar, is an event that takes place in the region of Scandinavia and seeks to gather annually all lovers and interested in the Okinawan martial arts to embark them on a journey of discovery through the main derived styles of the teachings and developed by the most outstanding students of the legendary karate master, Dai sensei Chotoku Kyan.
Become legends and great references in their own right, Shimabuku Tatsuo 島袋龍夫 sensei ( (1908-1975), founder of Isshinryu一心流, Shimabukuro Zenryo 島袋 善良 sensei (1908-1969) founder of Shorin Ryu Seibukan and Joen Nakazato sensei (1922-2010) of Shorinji Ryu were responsible for leading the continuity of the teachings of Kyan Sensei, who was characterized by being a person of very low profile, despite being a highly educated and executor of a powerful martial art.
JOEN NAKAZATO SENSEI – OKINAWA SHORINJI RYU KARATE
The year 2018 was the school of Robert Iversen sensei in Stockholm, Sweden, responsible for carrying out the first version of this event (Click here for review of the article), resulting in a massive success. Helsinki, Finland will be the country that will host this second version whose logistics will be coordinated in this opportunity by the school led by Mitrunen Kim sensei, Seibukan Shorin Ryu (Click here for the contact info).
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ SENSEI – Okinawa Isshinryu Karate & Kobudo
ROBERT IVERSEN SENSEI – Okinawa Shorinji Ryu
KIM MITRUNEN SENSEI – Okinawa Shorin Ryu Seibukan
The activity is an open seminar, so we strongly recommend taking this opportunity to delve into the roots of karate to all practitioners, regardless of style. The minimum age for the participants is 15 and minimum rank is 6th Kyu (3th in some systems).
Registration, payment, accommodation and contact with the organization, can be obtained in the following link.
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 首里, 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 琉球諸島.
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, 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 松村 宗棍, 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.
KOSAKU MATSUMORA (松茂良 興作) 1829 – 1898
Some of the most prominent ones were Matsumora Kosaku松茂良 興作 (The legendary folk hero for having snatched the sword from a satsuma clan samurai with just a towel, losing a thumb in the attempt – Original History by Shoshin Nagamine 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.
JOEN NAKAZATO (first to the left) & GRAND MASTER CHOTOKU KYAN IN A PRE-WAR PICTURE AFTER TRAINING
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).
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.
“Year 2020.
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.
SEISHINKAN BUDŌ SCHOOL - Älvsjö Karate & Kobudō 