OkinawaKaratedoKyokai

<End year party of Tokyo branch>
Dojos of Tokyo Branch held their end year/2013 party.

Dec/21 Chigasaki minami,Chigasaki kita,Hiratsuka Dojo's joint party

Dec/14 Fujisawa, Kugenuma, Life town Dojo's joint party

Dec/14 Yokohama Tsurumi Dojo's party

Dec/14 Yokohama Kounan Dojo's party

Dec/7 Kamakura,Zushi,Tokyo Bayside,Tokyo Nakano Dojo's joint party

<Fall Dan Promotion Testing & Regular Officers Meeting>
Tokyo Branch held Fall Dan Promotion Testing and Regular Officers Meeting in Lifetown Dojo on December 1st, 2013. 8 students challenged the testing and all of them successfully passed.

Dec/1 Lifetown Dojo practice and Black Belt seminar.

Hojyo Undo testing

Sanchin testing

Yakusokukumite testing

Kata testing

Kotekitae testing

Kumite testing

Written testing

Examiners' comments

Regular Officers Meeting

BBQ after the meeting

<International member visit>
One-time Tokyo Bayside Dojo member, Ms. Lia Wohlfeoler from Israel visited Tokyo and trained with Tokyo members in Tokyo Bayside Dojo, Shonan Fujisawa Dojo and Lifetown Dojo. She is now actively practicing Shito-Ryu Karate-Do back in her old home dojo in Israel.

Nov/28 Practicing in Tokyo Bayside Dojo after one year's separation.

Nov/28 Party with old friends from Tokyo Branch.

Nov/30 Training in Fujisawa Dojo

Nov/30
Welcome dinner with Tokyo members and the Senior Advisor, Mr. & Mrs. Maekawa in Lifetown Dojo.

Dec/1 Training in Lifetown Dojo

Dec/1 Lia with Fujimoto Sensei, President of Tokyo Branch.

<Cultual exchange >
Thomas Podzelny Sensei form German Branch visited Shonan Kamakura Dojo and Shonan Fujisawa Dojo to practice together with Tokyo Branch members on October 26th, 2013. Thomas Sensei came to Japan for Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do training as well as for Aikido and Kobudo practice.

Oct/26 Kamakura Dojo

Oct/26 Fujisawa Dojo

＜2013 Fall Special Seminar and 17th Metropolitan Karate-Do Championship (Advanced) >
Oct,23, 2013 Tokyo branch

Tokyo Branch sponsored the Fall Special Seminar and 17th OUKA Metropolitan Karate-Do Championship-Advanced on October 20, 2013.
Grand Master Shintoku Takara (Hanshi 10 Dan) was invited to the events as a special seminar instructor and a senior advisor of the Championship. The events were successful and impressive.

Oct/19 Lunch meeting at Kamakura

Special class of Fujisawa Dojo(Shintoku Takara sensei)

Special class of Fujisawa Dojo(Shinzaburo Okuhama sensei)

Group photo

Oct/20 Meeting with Takara sensei at Shonan Shubukan HQ office

Oct/20 At Shonan Shubukan HQ Dojo

Oct/20 Special seminor(1)

Special seminor(2)

Special seminor(3) Takara sensei's Sanseiryu demonstration

Special seminor(4) Okuhama sensei's Kobudo demonstration

Special seminor(5) Group photo

Karate tournament / Opening ceremony

Karate tournament / Kata tournament

Karate tournament / Group Kata tournament

Karate tournament / Kumite tournament

Karate tournament

Karate tournament /Group photo

Party after Karate tournament

Sight seeing for Okuhama sensei & members from Okinawa

< Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do / Kobu-Do seminor & open tournament in Tokyo>
Sep,14, 2013 Tokyo branch

Date	Time / Place	Event
Oct.20 <Sun>	9:30-11:30AM *Muraoka primary school in Fujisawa city , Kanagawa-Ken	Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do seminor (for black & brown belt)* Instructor : Grand master Shintoku Takara Entry fee : 1,000yen
		*Kobu-Do seminor Instructor : Master Shinzaburo Okuhama Entry fee : 1,000yen
	1:00-4:00PM *Muraoka primary school in Fujisawa city , Kanagawa-Ken	*Karate open tournament (for black belt) Rule : Tokyo branch rule Kata / Kumite Entry fee : 1,000yen
	6:00-8:00PM *Shonan Shubukan HQ Dojo in Chigasaki city, Kanagawa-Ken	*Party after tournament Entry fee : 1,000yen

*For details , please inqwire to Tokyo branch by e-mail.

< Practice with members from Australian branch-No3>
Sep,14, 2013 Tokyo branch

From Sep.6 to 8, Mr. Denis Brett and his family visited Tokyo to have cultural exchange with members here.
They will visit Okinawa from Sep.8 to 22 for Karate traning & sight seeing.
We sincerely hope that we can promote bonding and fellowship with Australia branch. Thank you very much again for coming to Tokyo all the way from Australia.

Sep.6 / Dinner at Shonan shopping center in Fujisawa city

Sep.7 / at Shonan Shubukan HQ Dojo & office

Sep.7 / Sight seeing for Kamakura city

Sep.7/ Lunch at Kamakura city

Sep.7/ Sight seeing for Enoshima island in Fujisawa city

Sep.7/ joint class at Shonan Fujisawa Dojo

Sep.7/ joint class at Shonan Fujisawa Dojo(2)

Sep.7/ joint class at Shonan Fujisawa Dojo(3)

Sep.8/ joint class at Shonan Shubukan HQ Dojo

Sep.8/ joint class at Shonan Shubukan HQ Dojo (2)

Sep.8/ joint class at Shonan Shubukan HQ Dojo (3)

Sep.8/ Lunch at Shonan Shubukan HQ Dojo

< Practice with members from Australian branch-No2>
Jul,28, 2013 Tokyo branch

From July 19 to 22, Mr. Nicolas Moulas and his students and their parents visited Tokyo to have cultural exchange with members here and to participate in the 17th Tokyo Metropolitan Championships for kyu levels.
In the championships, Australian participants received many prizes both in kata and kumite. This indeed did stimulate the participants from Tokyo.
We sincerely hope that we can promote bonding and fellowship with Australia branch. Thank you very much again for coming to Tokyo all the way from Australia.

Jul 19/ Asakusa Sensouji temple

Jul 19 / at Shonan Shubukan HQ Dojo & office

Jul 19/ joint class at Shonan Shubukan HQ Dojo

Jul 20/ joint class at Shonan Chigasaki Dojo

Jul 20/ joint class at Shonan Chigasaki Dojo(2)

Jul 20/ joint class at Shonan Chigasaki Dojo(3)

Jul 20/ joint class at Shonan Chigasaki Dojo(4)

Jul 20/ joint class at Shonan Fujisawa Dojo(1)

Jul 20/ joint class at Shonan Fujisawa Dojo(2) *Special Sanchin

Jul 20/ joint class at Shonan Fujisawa Dojo(3)

Jul 20/ joint class at Shonan Fujisawa Dojo(4)

Jul 20/ joint class at Shonan Fujisawa Dojo(5)

Jul 20 / welcome dinner at Fujisawa city

Jul 20 / night meeting at Shonan Shubukan HQ

Jul 21 / at Tokyo branch's tournament

Jul 21 / at Tokyo branch's tournament(2)

Karate tournament

Jul 21 / at Tokyo branch's tournament(3)

Jul 21 / at Tokyo branch's tournament(4)

Jul 21 / at Tokyo branch's tournament(5)

Jul 21 / at Tokyo branch's tournament(6)

Jul 21 / at Tokyo branch's tournament(7)

Jul 21 / at Tokyo branch's tournament(8)

Jul 21 / at Tokyo branch's tournament(9)

Jul/21 / at the party after tournament(1)

Jul/21 / at the party after tournament(2)

Jul 22 / sightseeing at Fujisawa city & Kamakura city, Yokohama city

Jul 22 / sightseeing at Kamakura "big Budda"

Jul 22 / sightseeing at China town in Yokohama city

< Practice with members from Australian branch>
Jul,14, 2013 Tokyo branch

On July 7, Master Gary Finch and two of his students, Michael Campbell & Todd Muster visited Tokyo. They are here to practice at dojos in Tokyo branch and also plan to enjoy sightseeing in Tokyo metropolitan area.

Jul 7 / Asakusa Sensouji temple

Jul 9 / cultual exchange at Zushi dojo (Kanagawa Prf.)

with master instructor Keisuke Fujimoto

group photo

Jul 10 / sight seeing for Yokohama(Kanagawa Prf.)

lunch time at Yokohama bayside restaurant

at "Yumekanakan" (hq dojo & office of Tokyo branch)

Jul 10/ cultual exchange at Kugenuma dojo (Kanagawa Prf.)

Kata traning

chukan hojyo undo

group photo

dinner at "Yumekanakan"

Jul 11 / cultual exchange at "Yumekanakan" (Kanagawa Prf.)

kote kitae

sanchin

group photo

Jul 11 / cultual exchange at Tokyo bayside dojo

chukan hojyo undo

kotekitae

yakusoku kumite

kata

group photo

dinner time after the class

in the train (back to "Yumekanakan")

Jul 12 / sightseeing for Enoshima(Kanagawa Prf.)

with master instructor, Ms.Hiroko Hirao

sightseeing for Kamakura(Kanagawa Prf.)

lunch time at a restaurant "Kamakura Rokuyata"
Zushi dojo instructor, Hiroki Tadokoro is owner of the restaurant

cultual exchange at "Yumekanakan" (junior class)

sanchin

group photo

welcome dinner at "Yumekanakan"

drinking & meeting time after welcome dinner

Jul 13 / breakfast at "Yumekanakan"

cultual exchange at Chigasaki dojo(Kanagawa Prf.)

sanchin

with kids

yakusoku kumite

group photo

cultual exchange at Fujisawa dojo / beginner class (Kanagawa Prf.)

sanchin

group photo

<Black belt seminar?Spring promotion test?Board meeting report>
Jun,28, 2013 Tokyo branch

On June 6, Black belt seminar, spring promotion test and board meeting were held at Yumekana kan (Okinawa Traditional arts Promotion center) in Chigasaki city.

At the seminar, we focused on Uechi ryu Kyu/Dan kumite and changes of kote kitae (arm pounding), which are to be included in the future dan promotion test under Mr. Sugimoto's guidance. This time brown belt members were also permitted to participate.

At the following promotion test, six students from 1 dan to 3 dan took the test. All of them passed the test successfully. Among them, a 80 year old student Mr. Nasu (Kamakura dojo) successfully got promoted without any exception like other young students. It took for Mr. Nasu for four years to reach the day of promotion test. This is all because of his steady efforts and was a remarkable accomplishment.

At the board meeting, we discussed our teaching policies as those are related to the status of Yakusoku kumite and technical changes of Kote kitae. Also, we confirmed the decisions made at the annual headquarters board meeting. Now Tokyo branch is even more determined to work on improving the level of students as a whole and organization reinforcement.

Warm up exercises (Hojo undo)

Uechi ryu Kyu kumite

Group photo with participants

Test takers

Hojo undo (promotion test)

Sanchin (promotion test) Mr. Nasu (80 years old) Looking forward to his further efforts.

Sanchin (promotion test) Mr. Wakatsuki for 3 dan promotion

Kote kitae (promotion test)

Seisan by Mr. Nasu

Seisan bunkai (Ms. Komiya and Ohnuki)

Kumite (Mr. Wakatsuki and Yotsuya)

Written exam for 1 dan (History of Uechi ryu, technical interpretations etc. )

Feedback and comments from Master Fujimoto

Group photo with examiners and students

Lunch with board members

Discussing important matters. We use no paper for environmental protection.

<Headqurters Spring events report> May,30, 2013 Tokyo branch

Fujimoto sensei and 10 other instructors and members attended the annual headquarters Spring events, which were held from May 25 to 26 in Okinawa.

Every year Tokyo branch sends quite a few instructors and members to Okinawa and also reimburses the travel expenses. This time 5 members got promoted. Also, Headquarters board approved that Aichi Toyota Club will degree from Tokyo branch and will be independent as Aichi branch. It was full of great news.

【Participants】
Keisuke Fujimoto (Tokyo branch chairperson~attended the board meeting only)

Hiroko HIrao (Substitute for Tokyo branch chair person)

Takahiro Sugimoto (Tokyo branch, Manager for Technique Guidance)

Hajime Yamamoto (Tokyo branch, Promotion Manager)

Hitoshi Sumida (Tokyo branch, Communication Manager)

Masaaki Uechi (Toyota Club, Club master)

Takashi Izumi (Tokyo Bayside)

Kazuhiro Watanabe (Shonan Kamakura dojo)

Takashi Monna (Shonan Kugenuma dojo)

Takumi Monna (Shonan Kugenuma dojo)

Jukiya Koike (Shonan Fujisawa dojo)

May 24 Practice at Ginowan dojo

Group photo with Tamayose sensei

May 24 Visited Okinawa Konan Ryu Karate-Do Association Seibukan headquarters. Received instruction on Kanshu bunkai.

Kobudo performance by Morimasa Itokazu sensei. The previous chairperson the late Seiki Itokazu sensei was a student of Kanei Uechi sensei in Amagasaki, Hyogo. He had visited Wakayama and received instruction from Kanbun Uechi sensei. After the WWII in Okinawa, Itokazu sensei had contributed much to the speed and development of Uechi Ryu by supporting Kanei Uechi sensei. Also, Itokazu sensei was the the first one to be certified and registered as intangible important cultural property in Karate in Okinawa.

Dinner after the exchange practice. (at Ameku Terrace restaurant in Naha city) Left to right: Sumida sensei, Itokazu sensei, Matsumoto sensei (Seibukan vice-chairperson), Yamamoto sensei and the restraint owner

May 25 Kobujutsu practice at Ishikawa center/dojo

May 25 Karate practice at Ishikawa center/dojo

May 25 Karate seminar at headquarters

J. May 25 Group photo of promoted members
Left to right:

【Masaaki Uechi】(from Hyogo)
Promoted to 4 dan and certified as Jun Shihan. Appointed as Aichi branch chairperson at the annual headquartered board meeting. Toyota Club will demerge from Tokyo branch as AIchi branch. We look forward to Mr. Uechi's greater and success for the future.

【Yuko Hirao】(from Wakayama)
Promoted to 5 dan and certified as Shihan. Since the formation of Tokyo branch (it has been 18 years) Ms. Hirao is among the first woman to be promoted to 5 dan. We look forward to her greater success as a substitute for Tokyo branch chairperson and the role model for female members.

【Takahiro Sugimoto】(From Kanagawa)
Promoted 4 dan and certified as Jun SHihan. It has been 10 years for Mr. Sugimoto to to train in Uechi Ryu. We look forward to his greater success as Manager of Technique Guidance.

【Takashi Izumi】(From Nara)
Promoted to 2 dan. Mr. Izumi started his karate career at Frank Gorman's dojo in Florida. Now belongs to Tokyo Bayside Club. Mr. Izumi is conversant both in English and Mandarin Chinese. Now he is contributing as Assistant Manager of Communication. We look forward to his greater success as a leader for younger members.

【Jukiya Koike】(From Kanagawa)
Promoted to 2 dan. Mr. Koike started karate when he was still a elementary school student. Mr. Koike is among the first one to be promoted to 2 dan as a high school student. We look forward to his greater efforts and success as a leading role for junior numbers.

May 25 Practice at Futenma dojo

May 26 at annual board meeting

Ms. Yuko Hirao was awarded a certificate of appreciation for being a role model for female members at Tokyo branch by President Kina.Mr. Sumida was awarded a certificate of appreciation for his continuing contributions as a manager of communication.

From April 5 to April 7, Tokyo branch held spring karate・kobujutsu seminars and a promotion test. This time Master Kina (president) and Tamayose (chairperson of the board) came to Tokyo all the way from Okinawa headquarters. Also, Master Kina and Tamayose visited Shonan Hiratsuka dojo, Shonan Kamakura dojo, Shonan Fujisawa dojo, Shonan Lifetown dojo and Yokohama Tsurumi dojo and taught almost 200 students.

On February 11, Tokyo branch and Ryukyu Dento Kobujutsu Hozonkai Kanto branch were invited to perform karate and kobujutsu for " The 2nd Niden-ryu Jusuikan enbukai" at Kamakura city gym. We could see some Japanese traditional martial arts (kobujutsu). It was a very precious experience for us.

On January 19, a commemorative karate exchange event was held at Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do Wakayama Ryuseikan Tomoyori Dojo and members from Shonan Shubu Kan, Tokyo Bayside Club and Toyota Club attended this memorable event.

Since the year 2012 was the 80th anniversary for Uechi-Ryu Karate, Wakayama Ryuseikan, tomoekai Tsukagushi Dojo and Okinawa Uechi-Ryu Karate Do Association Tokyo branch decided to organize this memorable event. Also Master Tamayose joined all the way from Okinawa.

As you may know, Kanbun Uechi sensei started teaching in Tebira, Wakayama city in 1932 where he named the dojo as "Pangainoon Karate Research Institute". Kanbun sensei began accepting students openly there and the dojo produced notable disciples such as Ryuyu Tomoyori, Saburo Uehara etc. and also Kanei Uechi sensei was granted the teaching certificate there. Since then Kanei sensei started to teach in Nishinaku, Osaka, then in Amagasaki, Hyogo and Uechi Ryu was transmitted to Okinawa and to the rest of the world.

Thus, three relevant dojos came together in order to re-acknowledge the historical developmental phases of Uechi Ryu, to appreciate the forerunners for their passion and efforts, and to learn mutually.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants and wish to have a long-lasting relationship.

[Reference]

・Uechi Ryu Karate Do Wakayama Ryuseikan Tomoyori Dojo linage record
Kanbun Uechi　→　Ryuyu Tomoyori　→　Takayoshi Tomoyori　→　Takao Tomoyori　→　Takashige Tomoyori

・Uechi Ryu Karate Do Tomoekai Tsukaguchi Dojo linage record
Kanbun Uechi　→　Kanei Uechi　→　Soryu Furugen　→　Toshinori
Fukushima

Photo taken in from of the Paigainoon Karate Research Institute (Since 1932 till 1946) The record shows that this photo was taken in January, 1934.

Group photo at the very site where the above photo was taken. (After 80 years)

Old site of Uechi Ryu Karate Do Wakayama Shubu Kan (Since 1947 till 1960) Former dojo before Wakayama Ryuseikan (used to be the old site of the association of Okinawan people)

Speach by Masterss of Wakayama Ryuseikan(1961-)
(Left to right: Master Tomoyori, Master Nakaguchi, Master Okazaki, and Master Inoue) Interesting stories and episodes about successive masters of Wakayama Ryuseikan. One episode is that Ryuyu Tomoyori sensei was practicing Sanchin kata in front of the mirror in the picture on the very day he passed away.

photo of warm up traning

Master Nakaguchi giving Sanchin instruction (direct student of Ryuyu Tomoyori)

Udegatame(Kotekitae) traning

Sanchin demonstration by Ryusekikan Tomoyori Dojo stutents

Sanchin demonstration by Tomoekai Tukaguchi Dojo students (Kanei Uechi sensei opened in 1940 at Amagasaki City, Hyogo prf)

Sanseiryu by Master Tamayose. At Tsukaguchi dojo, they prounce it as "Sandaarui". (Some techniques are distinctive from Okinawa Uechi Ryu Karate Do Association's Senseiryu kata)

Comparison of Seisan katas performed simultaneously by three dojos. At Tsukaguchi dojo they call it "Tou-dei seisan" (Chinese hand season)

At the end of the event all the participants performed Sanchin kata in from of the photos of Kanbun Uechi sensei, Ryuyu Tomoyori sensei and Takayoshi Tomoyori sensei.

Group photo. Unforgettably precious experience! We wish to have a long-lasting relationship!

Dinner party after the event. We had a great time! We already started to discuss the exchange plans for the future.

On Jan.5th, Shonan Shubukan had 1st class of Karate /Kobujyutu & party at shonan life town dojo.

Karate Sanchin practice.

Group photo

Kobujyutu practice

Group photo

Party

New year's decoration & Sake