09/01/2026
**Dojo Notes - July/August 2026**
Welcome to the July/August edition of Catonsville Seido Karate's dojo newsletter! Going out to our students, to our Black Belt Seido colleagues, and to our friends.
**Zen Shin: Louder Than Our Own Echo**
(by Jun Shihan Tom)
On August 7 through 11th, Seido Karate students from around the world gathered in White Plains NY for Zen Shin, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Seido Karate.
The weekend featured a tournament for adults, teens, and children, and we are extremely proud of the competitors from Music City! Catonsville Seido's Dennis W. and Raymond W. (no relation) took first place in youth and adult yellow belt kata, and Elizabeth W. (I see a pattern here) became a Seido legend by entering the ring for contact kumite against experienced competitors three ranks above her, because no other green belt woman took up the challenge! This was also my first opportunity to compete in contact kumite (more on that below), and I took second place in the men's over 50
division - because there were only two competitors. Sometimes the secret to success is just showing up. (Often times, in fact!) It was a very valuable experience for both of us.
On Monday there were informative seminars from teachers from around the globe, and we've already brought some new drills from them into our classes. Tuesday had a sunrise meditation and workout on the beach at Glen Island Park, on Long Island Sound, a marvelous experience to share with Kaicho, Nidaime, Eiko Hanshi Renzie, and teachers and students from around the world. Tuesday's farewell dinner ended with karaoke -- did you know the
"kara" in "karaoke" is the same as the "kara" in "karate"? Spirits were high with performances from both Kaicho and Nidaime -- and yes, I did participate.
There are two moments that really stand out for me as summarizing what Seido is all about. The first is from Sunday morning, as we gathered for the contact kumite part of the tournament. This was the first time since 1996 that one of our decadal anniversary tournaments featured this more vigorous and high-contact sort of competition. (And I was out with an
injury that year, and had to wait 30 years for the opportunity to come around again -- a lesson there!) But Nidaime put a perfect frame around it, as we gathered to punch and kick our karate cousins from around the world pretty darn hard: "Compete hard, but take care of each other."
The other moment was from the opening workout at Kensico Dam on Friday. This 307 foot high, 1,843 foot long, stone construction that forms the Kensico reservoir is a truly impressive sight, and the land around it is a park. Hundreds of us lined up in fairly hot sun for a brief workout and good karate fellowship. As Nidaime counted the first punch and we all kiai'd, the echo came back at us, reflecting and magnifying the energy of the moment. Nidaime joked, "There must be another group on the other side."
And lined up in front of me, our friend Sei Shihan Marcus Walker said the perfect thing: "We'll just have to be louder than they are."
We have to be louder than ourselves. Logically it doesn't quite work, but the poetry points at what we are all about in Seido.
Osu!
**Seido Karate's New Chairman**
At Zen Shin, an important organizational announcement was made. Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura is passing the title of Chairman of the WSKO to Nidaime Akira Nakamura. This is the completion of a process that started 25 years ago when Kaicho named Nidaime as his successor. Kaicho will remain active in an an oversight role. Neither Kaicho nor Nidaime's titles will change at this time.
We offer our congratulations and best wishes to our new Chairman. Osu!
Please see the full announcement at
https://catonsville.seidomd.com/documents/KaichoLetter_Re.TitleAnnouncements.08.25.2026.pdf
**Schedule Notes**
**September 26: Teen (and Adult) Self-Defense Class**
Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 3 PM - 5 PM
On September 26 we will hold another "Community Self Defense" class, aimed at teens but older adult are welcome. This event is a fundraiser for the Tina Severns Legacy Foundation - TSLF, supporting their mission to educate and empower youth and young adults to stay safe. Their mission to raise awareness about the nature of violence and to help young people overcome personal challenges aligns well with our values and we look forward to working with them. Registration info coming soon -- contact us now for first opportunity to get a spot.
**October Special Events**
While Zen Shin was held in August, the actual 50th anniversary of Seido in this October, and we're bringing the party back to Maryland with some special events.
Saturday October 10: an afternoon of seminars from local teachers (times and presenters TBD)
Sunday October 11: breaking clinic, 2-5pm.
Friday October 16: Dojo Concert and Talent Show! A dojo fundraiser to defray the costs of our new mats, the pins we gave out at Zen Shin, and our general operating expenses. Featuring music by The Singing Shihan, Jun Shihan Tom, and...you? Show us what you got! Sing, dance, read a poem (just keep in mind this is an all ages event), show off your juggling, whatever!
**Summertime Is Ending**
It is our long-standing Maryland Seido tradition that from Memorial Day through Labor Day t-shirts may be worn for normal training instead of gi tops. (Please note that this is a local tradition and applies only to normal training; always bring your gi top if you travel to other dojo, or for special events.)
That means back to full gi starting September 8.
Also, after Zen Shin we are changing our Tuesday schedule back to less frequent kumite practice. 7pm-8pm is still all adults and teens, then from 8 to 8:30:
1st and 3rd Tuesday: KUMITE NIGHT!
Green belts, bring your gear. Advanced yellow belts, you are invited (not required) to purchase kumite gear and use it for drills.
These students are invited (not required) to purchase boxing gloves for "contact" kumite sparring or drills.
Students from other Seido dojo, green belt and up, are invited to join us! (With permission from their instructor!)
2nd Tuesday: Syllabus Review, Green Belt - Black Belt
4th Tuesday: meditation/yoga/qi gong, all levels
New!
5th Tuesday: practical self-defense applications, all levels.
But there is still plenty of opportunity for kumite thanks to FOURTH FRIDAY FIGHT NIGHT (September 25, October 23) which is NOW OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS BLUE BELT AND UP!
Green belts will kumite. Blue and yellow belts will do drills including bag work, partner drills, and (as appropriate) yakusoku kumite.
Fourth Fridays Fight Night will remain open to blue and yellow belt
students for the foreseeable future (until we have enough Green through Black belts attending to make a crowd). Students from other Seido dojo are invited to join us! (With permission from their instructor!)
The second Friday open conditioning class will continue, as will the 5:30 meditation/qi gong/yoga classes on 2nd and 4th Fridays.
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**Yard Signs**
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