TRADITIONAL OKINAWAN KARATE IN EDMONTON
International Okinawan Shōrin-ryū Seibukan Karate-dō Association (IOSSKA)
国際沖縄少林流聖武館空手道協会
人に優しく己に厳しくそういう精神が厳しい稽古の中で培うものである。
This spirit of being kind to others and being strict with oneself is cultivated through rigorous training.
島袋善保 Shimabukuro Zenpō, Kaichō IOSSKA.
NEWS
After all the students leave, it's just an old man in an empty room, trying to live up to the lessons of his sensei, failing, and trying again.
The birthday present from my students: exquisite calligraphy by Shinzato Toshihiro 新里利浩, an Okinawan teacher of shodō, the way of writing.
It translates as, "Be strict with yourself and generous with others." This precept is at the heart of our #karate practice. Calligraphy of the same precept hangs in the Seibukan hombu dojo in Okinawa.
The luckiest karate instructor in the world had a surprise 70th birthday party at yesterday's class, attended by so many of my terrific students. My son Alex flew in from Toronto, one online student came from Vancouver, and another all the way from St John's. There were lovely video greetings from my sensei and great friends in Okinawa and students in BC, Germany, Austria. They and my wonderful local dojo members made this old, old man very, very happy.
My son made a short speech and noted, accurately, that getting along with people has never been my strong suit. Yet, mirabile dictu, I have found a community of the finest souls imaginable. Thank you, each and every one of you.
Craig and Clayton at the Karate Day demonstration in Naha a few days ago. They radiate the rigor and discipline of Seibukan. I am very proud of how they represented the dojo in Okinawa.
Clayton, Jared, Genna, and Craig with Zenpō Sensei and Zenshun Sensei at the Seibukan hombu (headquarters) dojo in Chatan, Okinawa.
I am proud that all of them made the effort to get there. We believe it's essential for our seniors to train with the best Seibukan sensei in the world, not as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but as regularly as possible, so they can bring back what they learned to elevate the karate of our dojo.
Clayton, Craig, and Jared at hombu dojo in Okinawa.
Genna training at hombu dojo.
The spirit of our dojo: Craig and Genna after participating in the Karate Day demonstrations in Naha, Okinawa on 26 October 2025.
Beside our regular online classes, we do additional weekly sessions with dedicated students who seek more practice and who may not be able to make some classes because of time zone differences.
Here, dojo members in St John's, Newfoundland, and London, UK.
It's always a happy occasion when a student comes to their first class. Here, Martin gets one-on-one tutelage from Lucy.
Welcome to the dojo, Martin!
Kachō fūgetsu 花鳥風月 is a traditional four-character Japanese idiom. It invokes the beauties and wonders of nature. The ancient agricultural need to know when to plant, cultivate, and harvest sharpened the Japanese sensitivity to seasonal changes, heightening their awareness of nature. This gave rise to arts and customs embodying kachō fūgetsu.
The sacred ground of the indigenous Okinawan religion is not a shrine or temple or church, but special places in nature, such as the great rock formation of Sefa Utaki.
Our dojo seeks to continue those traditions in Canada. Here, Lundbreck Falls, Alberta.
Kawaguchi-san gave us these two bags at class. She made them herself. One is in a Japanese floral pattern and the other in an Okinawan design with waves and whales. In these times when ignorance and bigotry are rampant in the world, her thoughtfulness and generosity remind me that there is still good remaining in this world, at least in the strong and gentle hearts of the people on this beautiful little island.
Training in Okinawa
Lucy and Doug with Zenpō Sensei and Zenei Sensei, May 2025.
Zenpō Sensei is unequivocal that it is necessary for Seibukan karateka to go to Okinawa:
Karate is from Okinawa, so you must go back to Okinawa and see what we do; every karate technique you must correct in Okinawa. Make sure you visit your sensei and feel all Okinawan people.
Please visit Okinawa, to feel traditional Okinawan karate, and eat Okinawan food and breathe Okinawan air. Many things you have to experience in Okinawa.
Our dojo funds instructors and senior students to go to Okinawa to learn from the finest Seibukan sensei in the world. Last October three went there, for the 62nd anniversary celebration of Seibukan. Craig stayed for two weeks; Lucy and Doug were there for a month. It was demanding, illuminating, and marvellous.
Lucy and Doug returned to Okinawa for three weeks last May. They will be going again for month early in 2026. It will be their ninth trip since 2014. They will be joined by three other members of dojo who will be going for their first time. Three dojo seniors will be in Okinawa this month (October 2025). Clayton will be going for a fourth time; Craig for a second time; Jared for his first. They will be joined by fourth member later in the month.
The purpose of our dojo is to be a bridge between the karate and culture of Okinawa and good people in Canada seeking to move with more grace through life.
Araha Beach, where we stay in Okinawa.
In what's become a happy tradition, we had lunch with Sensei at a Chinese restaurant. We loved the conversation over good food, as Sensei reflected on karate, Okinawa, and his life.
When we were in Okinawa, Zenpō Sensei told us he would never change kata. Our dojo will always follow his example; we will, to the best of our abilities, be faithful to the tradition that has been passed down to us.
Our last training session this trip was at the Urasoe Dojo this very wet morning. Kyan-san gave us this beautiful sampler that she wove herself. Weaving is a traditional Okinawan art form.
We get treated so well here by such good people. Lucy and I are going to miss them so much as we head home. "Ichariba chodee": "Once we meet, we become family."
Our Edmonton Dojo
9000 km from Okinawa, we are doing our best to uphold the great tradition of Seibukan karate-dō.
