USA WMKA Dojo Owner’s Meeting Events

Several years ago the discussion about regular meetings in the USA was initiated by some dojo owners. In September of 2022, at the WMKA seminar in Bellville, Illinois featuring Toshimitsu Arakaki, Hanshi, a serious discussion about having regular USA dojo owner events began. After several zoom meetings to discuss the how, where, and when, the first “WMKA USA Dojo Owners Meeting” was held in March of 2023. On Friday and Saturday, March 23 and 24, 2023 the WMKA US Dojo owners participated in their very first organized meeting and training session. Hosted by Tony Roberts sensei, 4th dan, at the Columbus Shorinryu Karate Dojo, in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, the event saw the participation of 14 dojo owners from around the United States, plus advanced yudansha that were invited to join in the training. The sessions were facilitated by Fred Schlesinger, Renshi, 6th dan, and Scott Mastin, Kyoshi 7th dan.  The training portions of the meeting took place on Friday evening, from 5-8 p.m., followed by an all-day session on Saturday. The sessions focused on Matsubayashi-ryu Kata, the traditional bunkai of the Pinan Katas, the seven Yakusoku Kumite, continuous Yakusoku, and Shiromatsu no Kun with some practical associated applications.  The event was a complete success, not only through the structured training—which focused on ensuring that all US WMKA dojos are teaching the Kata, Yakusoku, and Bunkai in the proper manner, but also in the camaraderie as many of the Dojo owners met each other in person for the first time. After each […]

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New year greeting from Kaicho 会長より新年のご挨拶

January 1, 2024 To all of you, I wish you and your families a hopeful new year. Last year, members of our Matsubayashi-ryu from Asia, North America, Europe, Oceania, and mainland Japan came to Okinawa from afar, and we were able to deepen our skills and friendship. As a major event related to karate this year (2024), the second Okinawa Karate Junior and Youth World Championship will be held in August and will be hosted by the Okinawa Prefecture. The purpose of this tournament is to create a venue for karate enthusiasts from all over the world to gather in Okinawa the birthplace of karate, to deepen their exchanges, and to correctly preserve and inherit the techniques and spirit of Okinawa karate that have been systematized by the predecessors in Okinawa and passed down to this day. It is also intended to promote the future development of Okinawa traditional karate and Kobudo. Well, this year marks the third anniversary of the establishment of the Shoshin Nagamine Memorial Monument. Last year’s unveiling ceremony was held with a small number of people due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, we are deeply grateful for your generous support, and we are pleased that we were able to establish a beautiful monument. In November, we will be holding a memorial festival to commemorate the establishment of the monument. We are looking forward to welcoming many of you to Okinawa and meeting you again. I wish 2024 will be brisk and vibrant […]

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Karate Day Event and Dan Promotion Test

News from Okinawa July 18, 2023 Karate Day event 2023: 25 OCT : Special Demonstration at Karate Kaikan (Only for Karate Leaders in Okinawa)29 OCT : Karate at Kokusai Street (Demonstrate Fukyugata I and several Kata) Dan Promotion test:19 NOV : Karate Kaikan Thank you,Daichi Sakamoto

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The Monument of Honor Celebration Event for Founder Shoshin Nagamine 2024

News From Okinawa July 1, 2023 Dear WMKA Members around the world, We are pleased to announce that we will finally hold the event to commemorate the erection of a monument in honor of Founder Shoshin Nagamine O’sensei. Dates: November 1, 2024 to November 3, 2024 (3 days) Schedule:Day1 (November 1, Friday) 13:30 – 16:00 Dan Promotion Test: Classroom at Karate Kaikan 16:15 – 17:00 Dojo Owner’s Meeting: Classroom at Karate Kaikan 19:00 – 21:00 Dojo Owner’s Exchange Party: Ryotei Naha Day2 (November 2, Saturday)             10:00 – 12:00  Seminar in AM: Dojo at Karate Kaikan             14:00 – 16:00  Seminar in PM: Dojo at Karate Kaikan Day3 (November 3, Sunday)             10:00 – 12:00  Seminar: Dojo at 2F of Budokan             14:00 – 16:00  Exchange Karate Festival: Dojo at 2F of Budokan             18:00 – 20:00  Monument of honor celebration Party: Hotel (TBD) Venues:Karate Kaikan 沖縄空手会館 豊見城市豊見城854−1 https://goo.gl/maps/2bH1h7XJNQ2veMp5A Budokan 沖縄県立武道館 那覇市奥武山町52 https://goo.gl/maps/9nYrvUVPvTNGVpyZ9 Ryotei Naha 料亭那覇 那覇市辻2丁目2−11 https://goo.gl/maps/BApbbsMvPhp6nkrP6 Best Regards,Yoshitaka Taira, President of WMKA

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Guido Engels Recent Trip to Okinawa

After a long wait, we made it happen again. From April 15th to April 29th, 2023, WolfgangBackes, Leon Engels, and I from the karate department of BWC – Viersen, Germany, visitedthe island of Okinawa. The first week was packed with three training sessions daily, from 10 to 11:30 am, 3 to 4:30 pm, and either 7:30 or 8 pm to 9 or 9:30 pm. We had the opportunity to train with all Senseis: Taira Yoshitaka Sensei, Arakaki Toshimitsu Sensei, Tome Iwao Sensei, Shinzato Masao Sensei, and Makishi Tetsuo Sensei. On Sunday, April 16th, we also had the opportunity to participate in a seminar with Arakaki Sensei at the Asato Dojo, which was broadcast live online worldwide. At first we had a physical challenge, as jetlag and temperatures affected us. Before that, we took a little first trip to the North of the island to the large aquarium (Churaumi Aquarium) and also explored the Motobu region. It was a perfect first day on Okinawa. Monday began regular training at the first session with Sensei Tome. Those familiar withthe dojo know that it is an extra pleasure to train there in the sunshine and feels like 30degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit)!!  At noon, we trained with Shinzato Sensei, and in the evening, with Taira Sensei. The week was scheduled so that we trained either with Tome or Arakaki Sensei in themorning, with Shinzato Sensei at noon, and alternatively with Taira Sensei, Makishi Sensei,and Arakaki Sensei in the evening. Between the sessions, we […]

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Toshimitsu Arakaki Sensei’s Fifth Visit to Australia

Toshimitsu Arakaki sensei’s fifth visit to Australia brings practitioners from around Australia together to develop mind, technique and body [shin-gi-tai]. From 17-25 February 2023, Toshimitsu Arakaki sensei visited Australia for the fifth time to conduct training and seminars at dojo throughout the country. The visit was sponsored by the Matsubayashi-ryu Karate Association of Australia (MKAA), the Kodokan Cummings Karate Dojo, and the Australasian Federation of Traditional Karate and Kobudo (AFTK). Canberra (ACT)Arriving on Friday 17 February, accompanied by John Carlyle sensei, Arakaki sensei’s first leg of the tour began in Canberra, the capital city of Australia, at Reece Cummings sensei’s dojo, the Kodokan Cummings Karate Dojo.  Day one began with a pleasant cruise on Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, where attendees were able to see and hear about important landmarks of Australia’s capital city, and had a chance to enjoy the warm weather (around 30 degrees celsius). Afterwards, the yudansha [black belts] of the MKAA – with local students from Canberra, interstate students from New South Wales (7 hours drive), and Western Australia (30 hours drive/10 hours flight)  – were instructed for two and a half hours by Arakaki sensei. In addition, students received lessons in karate (kata, kata bunkai and a strong focus on body mechanics), bojutsu, and saijutsu. In the evening, 40 attendees, including guests from other dojo(s), joined the Welcome Dinner to celebrate the start of Arakaki sensei’s Australia tour. In addition to great food and company, everyone was treated to Arakaki-sensei playing the sanshin (an Okinawan […]

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Connectivity of a Community

Okinawa is the birthplace of Karate, and many people travel from around the globe to practice with the Sensei of the current time. Many come for their kata to be corrected, a better understanding of waza, the practice of Kobudo and for authentic rank promotion within their organizations and groups. In 2019, a year before Covid changed the world, I too traveled to Okinawa for some of the same reasons and met some terrific people and people who practiced many different styles of Karate, Judo, Kendo and Aikido. I have been practicing forms of Karate since 1984 and Matsubayashi Ryu since 1991, but it was that trip in May that pulled me close to the World Matsubayashi Karate-Do Association (WMKA). I then returned to the United States and studied with Scott Mastin Sensei to understand the differences of what I have practiced and what is practiced in the WMKA. Today I am a member of the WMKA as a yudansha under Mastin Sensei, and as a WMKA Dojo owner. I recently traveled to Okinawa from February 22, 2023, through March 10, 2023, with one of my students to study with the leaders of the WMKA. We stayed in the Kadena area close to a dear friend so we could experience more of the island. Mr, Riki Nomura arranged a wonderful and well-rounded practice schedule that would allow us to experience five different Sensei dojos. On February 24th Mr. Riki Nomura  sent me an email notifying me that Taira Sensei welcomed […]

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The New Overseas Manager in Okinawa

The New Overseas Manager in OkinawaApril 1, 2023 Dear WMKA Dojo owners around the world, We are announcing the New overseas manager, Mr. Daichi Sakamoto from the Taira dojo under president Yoshitaka Taira.  He will start to work as New overseas manager starting April 1, the date for Japanese Fiscal year 2023.  Please communicate with Mr. Daichi Sakamoto instead of Mr. Riki Nomura starting April 1st. We hope you will cooperate and support him the same as you did for his predecessor. The information for the New overseas manager is as below. (WMKA dojo owners, please log into the secure section of this website regarding more specific contact information for Mr. Sakamoto). Name : Daichi Sakamoto  E-mail Address : okinawa@sti-network.com Quote from Mr. Daichi Sakamoto; Dear Dojo Owners! My name is Daichi SAKAMOTO, 1st Dan trainee at Taira Dojo. During my 4 years at Taira dojo, I learned a lot… not only techniques, but also mentality, philosophy, and way of life. In order to support lessons for WMKA members at Taira Dojo, I studied Karate-do, human anatomy and sports science in English. Those experiences made me discover a new horizon. Then, I considered that I would like to contribute something back to WMKA. Thus, It’s my honor to receive the offer. At the same time, I have confirmed and recognized Mr.Nomura’s great achievements over the past 7 years. So… I will struggle as well as possible. If you have any advice or opinions, please inform me. Those will make me improve […]

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New Overseas Manager In Okinawa

Announcement from Okinawa March 20,2023 The New overseas manager in Okinawa Dear WMKA Dojo owners around the world, We are announcing the New overseas manager, Mr. Daichi Sakamoto from the Taira dojo under president Yoshitaka Taira.  He will start to work as New overseas manager starting April 1, the date for Japanese Fiscal year 2023.  Please communicate with Mr. Daichi Sakamoto instead of Mr. Riki Nomura starting April 1st. We hope you will cooperate and support him the same as you did for his predecessor. The information for the New overseas manager is as below; Name : Daichi Sakamoto  Home Address : 4-18-23-705, Miyagi, Urasoe City, Okinawa E-mail Address : okinawa@sti-network.com Cellularphone Number : +81-90-4090-1513 Facebook messenger : https://m.me/daddy.saka (David SAKAMOTO) Skype : sakamoto.daichi (David SAKAMOTO) Signal : +81-90-4090-1513 (Daichi SAKAMOTO) Quote from Mr. Daichi Sakamoto; Dear Dojo Owners! My name is Daichi SAKAMOTO, 1st Dan trainee at Taira Dojo. During my 4 years at Taira dojo, I learned a lot… not only techniques, but also mentality, philosophy, and way of life. In order to support lessons for WMKA members at Taira Dojo, I studied Karate-do, human anatomy and sports science in English. Those experiences made me discover a new horizon. Then, I considered that I would like to contribute something back to WMKA. Thus, It’s my honor to receive the offer. At the same time, I have confirmed and recognized Mr.Nomura’s great achievements over the past 7 years. So… I will struggle as well as possible. If you have […]

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The Change of the Overseas Manager in Okinawa

News from Okinawa February 19, 2023 The Change of the Overseas Manager in Okinawa Dear WMKA Dojo owners around the world, I hope you are actively working on your daily and karate life in the countries where you live.We had a board meeting on January 22, 2023 in Okinawa and have decided on a new overseas manager. His name is Mr. Daichi Sakamoto at the Taira Dojo. I will keep working on my current duty until March 31st. Mr. Sakamoto will work as an overseas manager starting April 1st 2023, the date for Japanese Fiscal year 2023. His mailing address will be announced later. I am going to hand over all my work to Mr. Sakamoto between March 25 to March 30.  I don’t want to leave any unsolved work for him when he starts as the new overseas manager. I want to ask for your cooperation as below: 1. Dojo owner license renewal for 2023 and after. Okinawa didn’t request any deadline last year to renew your dojo owner license for the dojo owners who haven’t renewed for 2023. I wish that you will renew your dojo owner license by March 20 or the sooner the better.. We are planning to hold a “Memorial Monument Erection Commemorative Festival” (tentative name) sometime in the autumn in 2024.  I hope many WMKA members from around the world will come and meet each other again in Okinawa.   2. Up-to-date your Website dojo information.  Dr. Fred Schlesinger who is the Website administrator asked […]

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