Over the course of the weekend from Friday 31st May to Sunday 2nd June, around 50 members of the European Matsubayashi-ryu Karate-do Association (EMKA) gathered in Eastbourne, England for their annual ‘Taikai’ event. Each year this event is hosted by a different country within the membership of the EMKA/WMKA and this year the honour fell to the dojo and students of Steve Woolston, Sensei to welcome teachers and students from no less than seven different European countries – England, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway and Spain. On Friday evening the event was officially started, and the attendees were welcomed by the head of the EMKA, Ole-Bjorn Tuftedal Kyoshi (7th Dan).  Following the brief welcome speech, the majority of people were put through their paces with a class led by Sally Woolston Sensei (4th Dan) during which she covered basic kihon, along with Fukyugata Ichi and the associated formal bunkai.  Everyone was encouraged to perform for the group in small teams of three people, and it got the weekend off to a fantastic start. At the same time on Friday evening, under the watchful eyes of Tuftedal Kyoshi, Steve Woolston Sensei (5th Dan) and Martin O’Malley Sensei (4th Dan), a karate-ka from England, Joel Castasus, was being put through his paces with the invaluable assistance of Eirin Edvinsen.  Joel successfully tested for his transition to the rank of Nidan in Matsubayashi-ryu, and this follows a lengthy journey from his previous experience in Shorin-ryu, marking the culmination of much hard work. Bright […]

Ireland was the host nation of the I-Karate World Cup 2019 at DCU on the 26th and 27th of April 2019 with participants from all over the world present, each giving it their all for the world cup title.  Caitlin Malone from Westport and training at the Dojo of Martin O’Malley in Ireland (White Tiger Martial Arts) was there as part of the Irish team organized by Brian Carroll of Karate Ireland ONAKAI and she recorded some fantastic performances. Caitlin took part in three divisions and earned a podium place in all three.  In Karate Kata demonstration she earned the third place slot while in Kobujutsu Kata demonstration she earned the 2nd place position for her performance with the Sai.   She added another second place result in the Yakusoku Kumite demonstration division. In preparation for the event Caitlin worked along with the Karate Ireland national team coaches while at the Dojo Colm Rochford worked one on one with Caitlin to help her prepare, and the time and effort certainly paid off.  Martin O’Malley told us that ‘the result is due to the hard work and commitment that Caitlin and her mother Kathleen have put in over the last 11 years and the support and guidance which Colm, and indeed the whole Dojo has given to her in her preparation and participation at the World Cup’. Colm himself felt that Caitlin is ‘inspirational in the way she faces each challenge with determination to succeed and allows nothing stand in her way’.  […]

Martin O’Malley and Michael O’Neill travelled from Ireland to Okinawa from the 20th to the 27th of April 2019 to practice with the senior teachers on Okinawa. On the first full day of their visit (Sunday 21st) they travelled to the north of the Okinawa Island along with James Pankiewicz to take part in the Shioya Bay Trim Marathon which they completed in good time.  It was a great day out in a beautiful part of the island and both men highly recommend travelling north to see this area if possible.

From 13 April to 27 April, Australian WMKA member, Reece Cummings made his 12th annual trip to train with the senior instructors of Matsubayashi-ryu. This trip was a particularly noteworthy one as it involved training, on average, 3 times per day at various WMKA Dojo in Okinawa, covering both karate-do and kobujutsu. During the trip Reece was fortunate to study with sensei(s) Kaicho Yoshitaka Taira, Fuku-Kaicho Toshimitsu Arakaki, Kancho Iwao Tome, Kancho Tsugio Miyagi, and Kancho Masao Shinzato. During the first session with each instructor, the lesson was focused on ensuring kihon-waza and all kata were comprehensively understood, with specific details covered on koshi, muchimi, gamaku, and power generation, and unique points given from each knowledgeable sensei. Moving into other sessions, the teachers covered topics such as oyo-waza from kata, applied and yakusoku kumite, and kobujutsu (including bo, sai, tonfa, nunchaku, eku). Reece said “Each teacher in the WMKA in Okinawa is genuine, supportive and endeavours to make sure that every trip is a successful one when it comes to the learning of the physical side of karate-jutsu. However, it is the lessons they impart when it comes to karate-do that I believe is even more important; the education of culture, respect, and history is integral to preserving Okinawan karate and kobujutsu internationally, and these lessons are the ones I try to ensure are transmitted correctly also to my students.” This year’s trip for Reece was an extra special one, as while his dojo in Australia is celebrating its 10th anniversary, […]

Seminar with Toshimitsu Arakaki, 10th Dan, Hanshi on 20 and 21 September 2019 for members of the World Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-do Association.  Seminar hosted by Westminster Matsubayashi Karate Club’s and Marsha Lauko and Ed French and supported by Fred Christian, 8th Dan, Kyoshi.   Located in Belleville, Illinois about 10 miles east of St Louis Mo., just off interstate 64.  If you are interested in attending or get additional information, or registration form or questions email matsu-seminar@pobox.com or call Mr. Fred Christian at 618-397-8747 or Mr. Ed French 618-830-8192.

東海地区本部主催 「松林流空手道セミナーin浜松」 日時：平成31年4月20日（土）13～16時　浜松市武道館／4月21日（日）　13～16時　南部協働センター 講師：當銘岩雄　範士9段　眞喜志哲雄　錬士6段　／　招聘団体：世界松林流空手道連盟　東海地区本部 道場主：小波藏政昭　教士8段・安達猛　錬士6段・壬生進紀　錬士6段・塚本勝博　錬士6段 セミナー内容：松林流１８の形の動作の確認・解釈． 初日会場：浜松市武道館　www.city.hamamatsu.shizuoka.jp/maps/c-budou.html  2日目会場：南部協働センター　https://www.mb.eprs.jp/contents/facilities/2060/indeex.html  問い合わせ先：小波藏政昭　（Ｅメールmkohagura@leaf.ocn.ne.jp）携帯電話　090-6094-7876)     Hamamatsu Japan Seminar with sensei Iwao Tome Hanshi 9th Dan in April 2019 Japan Tokai District seminar with Iwao Tome Hanshi 9th dan & Tetsuo Makishi Renshi 6 th dan will be held on 20 and 21 April 2019 at Hamamatsu city in Shizuoka prefecture. The seminar is hosted by Masaaki Kohagura Kyoshi 8the dan and other 3 Renshi 6th dan dojo owners in Tokai District. If you are interesting in the seminar and Hamamatsu city, please email to Mr. Masaaki Kohagura and visit Hamamatsu city website shown in Japanese version.

Attention WMKA members: Anshin school karate is proud to present training sessions and seminar with Arakaki Sensei 10th Dan Hanshi, WMKA Vice President. Sensei will arrive in Canada May 24th. Classes will be held from May 26th to the 31th. The  seminar will be on June 1st from 10 AM to 4 PM. All WMKA Members are welcome please contact Stephen Trombley at sensei@anshindojo.com for further information