Shorinjiryu Kenryukan Karate Headquarters LTD

Greetings,
While our group size was smaller than originally expected, our intrepid team of students and families didn't let that slow them down! We boarded the bus at 6:00 AM on Saturday, ready for an adventure.

Our first stop was in Montreal, giving everyone a wonderful chance to relax, explore the sights, and enjoy some incredible local food. From there, it was off to Sherbrooke for the main event.

Our fourteen competitors gave it their absolute all at the Koshiki Competition in Sherbrooke, Quebec. They spent the day competing fiercely across the Combat, Kata, and Weapons divisions, and their hard work paid off massively. We are incredibly proud to announce that every single one of our students placed on the podium, bringing home a grand total of 21 medals!

None of this would have been possible without the incredible leadership and guidance of our black belts who traveled with us. A huge thank you to Kyoshi Troy, Renshi Jason, Tashi Decky, and Sensei Neil. Their tireless support, coaching, and dedication on the sidelines kept our competitors focused, motivated, and performing at their absolute best.

Beyond our students' incredible success on the mat, the tournament marked a historic milestone for our style. The event was hosted by Larry Foisy. In recognition of his immense, lifelong contributions to Shorinjiryu Karate, I had the distinct honor and privilege of promoting him to the title of Shihan 6th Degree Black belt during the tournament. It was a deeply meaningful moment for our entire karate community.

To celebrate a phenomenal day of competition and leadership, we wrapped up the trip with a wonderful buffet dinner. A great time was truly had by all.

Thank you again to the parents, students, and black belts who traveled, supported, and made this trip so memorable. See you all back in class!

Osu,

Myron M. Lubitsch, Hanshi

Happy Valentine's Day

Kagami Biraki

And, the tradition continues. Yesterday, Saturday, January 10, 2026 the Kenryukan has followed and expanded upon a ceremony that a number of the more traditional martial arts schools share. Kagami Biraki is translated in a number of different ways: the rice cake cutting ceremony, the opening of the mirror, the breaking of the rice cake. Since the Japanese language, as with others, uses words in idiomatic nuances the word kagami means mirror and the word biraki is a form of the word hirake or opening so the ceremony for our purposes would be breaking or opening the mirror – a new beginning and rededication.
The ceremony is an ancient tradition usually celebrated on the second Saturday after New Year, however we usually do it on the first Saturday, but this year we did it on the Saturday. We ascribe absolutely no relation or relevance to any religion.
Kagami Biraki appears to have been a celebration in preparation for the New Year where the people would clean and prepare their homes for another year. The ancient samurai would take their armor and weapons and polish them to shine as a mirror. The sword being the soul of Japan and the mirror the spirit, this would be an opportune time for the warriors to honor their weapons.
Small round rice cakes would be offered to the spirits and the weapons prepared. Rice was considered the staple of life and, therefore, understandably held in high esteem and reverence.
The special rice cakes mentioned above were made for this celebration. These cakes are called mochi and are fashioned in the form of old-style metal mirrors. Two to three would be placed upon each other with an orange on the top to represent the orchids. Sometimes, other ornaments would be placed about the mochi symbolizing various devotions. These rice cakes tended to become very hard and after a few days had to be broken with a hammer, hence the concept of breaking the mirror. The broken pieces would be eaten with other foods and sake which refreshed one’s spirit.

In modern times, the entire country celebrates New Year with a two-week celebration where schools are closed, businesses shut down and families gather together. Families would take this time to join with other family members and basically have a good time. Parents would play games with their children and a highly festive celebration of the New Year would begin.
Sometime about the mid-1880’s, Jigano Kano originator of judo, re-invented the celebration of Kagami Biraki. From that time on many traditional martial arts schools followed suit. As was mentioned before, this celebration has no religious meaning, but rather a spiritual one having personal significance. Usually, the formal celebration takes place on the second weekend of January and always in the home dojo. Many black belts from our dojos along with number of their students from the Stelton Dojo traveled to join the black belts and students at the Imperial Dragon Hombu Dojo. The temperature and weather conditions were a bit on the chilly side. Of course, the temperature in the dojo was rather high as students and parents (only two guests wished to join in the ceremony), fogged the mirrors while the walls dripped with condensation. Due to distance concerns some of the black belts living out of the state will do their share at home. The Stelton Dojo will celebrate shortly.
The Kenryukan splits the celebration into two parts. The first part, takes place on the last official day of classes for the year. Students review many of the kata taught during the year, inspirational speeches, and other very special aspects are held including a New Year’s kampai (with orange juice), cookie and small gifts. The second part, takes place usually on the first official weekend class of the New Year. This is when all students engage in the most demanding and physically strenuous class of the year. A class where students are pushed to their limits a day which they do not believe they can do, but they do.

This year the students did 1,000 kicks, 2,000 punches, 1,050 jumping jacks, 1,030 crunches and 105 push-ups. The vast majority of students did in fact did all of the exercises. All did their best. The students then lined up to sign the special sign-in sheet acknowledging their attendance and completion of their part of the ceremony. The chief instructor along with the other instructors addressed the students, a kampai (orange juice), and sweet cakes are distributed along a special gift completed this special event.

It is at this point, that the students have rededicated themselves to yet another year of learning and training.

A special acknowledgement to those Black Belts who participated: Hanshi Myron, Kyoshi Troy, Kyoshi Vincent, Kyoshi Eric, Renshi Yesenia, Renshi Jason, Tashi Decland, Nidan Alberto, Shodan Sherell, Shodan Joselyn and Shodan Manuel while Kyoshi Tony from L.I., Sensei Joey from Arizona, Nidan Anthony from Florida and Nidan Daval from South Carolina, Renshi Kevin and Renshi Henry indicated they will participate at home exhibiting their Herculean support, dedication and friendship.

We must give a special word of admiration to the brave and stout-hearted parents who participated.
Congratulations to all. Now our training continues in earnest.

We know that a lot of calves will certainly be mooing this morning.

Congratulations to the following students who attended the special ceremony: