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Welcome to our web site. It has been established to bring you information on the traditional karate seminars that we organize in conjunction with the Okinawa Karate Do Rengokai which are held each Spring in the Okinawa Budokan (Hall of Martial Virtue) in Naha, Okinawa, Japan.
These events are very special in that they are taught by the greatest living masters of traditional karate to small classes in the purpose built martial arts headquarters of Okinawa (photo right). They are open to students of all styles and levels of ability—the only entry requirements are a desire to learn genuinely traditional karate, and a willingness to work hard. |
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CFA |
Okinawa Karate-Do Rengokai |
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| Classical Fighting Arts magazine is the only professionally produced magazine to publish serious martial arts material exclusively. Supported by the best known and most respected writers and instructors in the world of genuine martial arts, it is published quarterly in the U.S., and distributed internationally. (www.classicalfightingarts.org) |
The Okinawa Karate-Do Rengokai is a long-established and highly respected organization that is recognized and supported by the Okinawan Prefectural Government. It is the dominant and most active Okinawan karate organization, with the largest number of senior karate dan grades (9th & 10th dans). |
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Train With the Best and You Become the Best! |
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Minoru Higa, 10th Dan Hanshi
(Kobayashi Ryu). |
The Rengokai and CFA magazine organize and sponsor these seminars at the Okinawa Budokan to allow motivated karate instructors and students to train with the best teachers in the world. This accelerates their progress and deepens their experience, while preventing or eliminating bad training habits that lead to ineffective karate technique.
Under normal circumstances it would not be possible to even meet these teachers, let alone train with them. However, CFA magazine and the Rengokai make it possible for you to study with them in small classes, and even receive personal instruction in their own private dojos.
There are no restrictions on style, experience, or grade for our seminars. Everyone is welcome to train at the birthplace of karate, with ALL the senior instructors of the Okinawa Karate-Do Rengokai. You will benefit from training in an atmosphere so friendly it could only be in Okinawa, and experience an island, a people, and a lifestyle you will never forget! |
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Testimonials |
2010 |
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Members from the US, UK, Canada, Portugal, and Brazil attended the CFA/Rengokai Seminars this year
Their styles included; Shotokan, Chito-Ryu, Goju Ryu, Goju Kai, Shito Ryu and Wado Ryu. All completed the course, and were presented with a certificate of completion by Isamu Arakaki, the President of the Okinawa Karate Do Rengokai at a ceremony held in the Okinawa Budokan on April 9th, 2010.
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“The combination of location, participants, subjects covered, not to mention the line up of teachers, checked every box for me…” Chris Denwood, Cumbria, U.K.
"A truly life-long dream was realized…I am eager to return." Warren Graham, NC USA
“Trip of a life time…hope to repeat it.” Mike Kwasigroch, Simi Valley, CA USA
“Thanks to you all for making the Okinawan experience one of the most awesome things I have done… We shared a remarkable journey.” Rich Arter Medina, OH USA
“The Instructors were unbelievable. I have never met a group of people more humble, who have such good reason not to be!” Ray Walter, St. Louis, MO USA
Read what 2010 Alumni Rick Wilson has to say about the CFA Okinawa Karate Seminars in the Charleston Sunday Gazette-Mail. http://wvgazette.com/Life/Travel/201005280851
Read what 2010 Alumni David Isenberg has to say about the CFA Okinawa Karate Seminars in Asia Times http://atimes.com/atimes/Japan/LF15Dh01.html
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Latest News |
The Okinawa Karate-Do Rengokai confirms that all their senior instructors will be available to teach at the 2011 Budokan Spring Seminars in April 2011. This includes Isamu Arakaki, Morio Higaonna, Minoru Higa, Zenpo Shimabukuro, Seisho Itokazu, Tsuyoshi Uechi, and Yoshio Kuba. Katsuhiko Shinzato Sensei (Kishaba Juku 9th Dan) will also be teaching a seminar.
We will arrange private bus tours of Okinawa as we did in 2009 if demand is sufficient. Please e-mail me with your requirements, specifically sites that you would like to visit: Sefa Utaki, Itoman Peace Park, Ryukyu Mura, Murasaki Mura, Manzanou, etc. Visits to the outlying Okinawan islands, for example Tokashiki and Aguni, can also be arranged if required (by ferry).
If you wish to train at the private dojos of senior instructors, please let us know well in advance. Most are rather small and can accommodate only a few visitors at a time. Others are outside Naha and transportation will need to be arranged.
This year's teachers included:
Isamu Arakaki, 10th Dan Hanshi; Morio Higaonna 10th Dan, Hanshi; Hiroshi Inada, 10th Dan Hanshi; Seisho Itokazu, 9th Dan Uechi Ryu, 8th Dan Matayoshi kobudo; Yoshio Kuba, 9th Dan Hanshi; Zenpo Shimabukuro, 10th Dan Hanshi; Katsuhiko Shinzato, 9th Dan; Shigeru Takamiyagi, 10th Dan Hanshi; Hiroshi Inada, 10th Dan Hanshi; Toshio Higa, 9th Dan Hanshi; Hirokuni Yamashiro, 9th Dan; Tsuyoshi Uechi, 9th Dan; Hatsuko Machida, 5th Dan.
2011 Budokan Seminars:
April 4-11 at the Okinawa Budokan,
52 Onoyama-cho, Naha City, Okinawa, Japan 900-0026
Rengokai Liason:Zenpo Shimabukuro Sensei 10th Dan Hanshi (Seibukan).
CFA Liason: David Chambers: CFA Magazine.
CFA Local Representative: Ms. Miyuki Uehara
CFA Int. Representative (in Japan during seminars) Tel 81 80 3991 5610
E-mail davidokinawa0812@softbank.ne.jp
Help Line (U.S.) 1 405 BUDOKAN
Toll Free
8:00 am - 8:00 pm Mon-Sat
1 800 717 6288
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