Ryukokan Dōjō 龍虎館道場

2015 training Ryu Kon Kai with Sensei Mitsutada Iha. I don’t know where the time goes but we just keep training.

Great full day of training with Chad Dowdle today! For Ryu Kon Kai we focused on Dai Ni Kihon, Nicho Sai Kitae, Kumi-Bo, and Choun Nu Kun Bunkai and also went through the standard kata along with Naihanchi Shodan. For Isshinryu Kobudo we reviewed Tokumine Nu Kun, Urashi Nu Kun, Shi Shi Nu Kun, Kyan Chotoku Nu Sai, Kusanku Sai, Chatan Yara Nu Sai, and Hama Higa Nu Tuifa. It was a long day but we trained hard and accomplished a lot in the Texas heat. So great when we can just set everything else aside and dedicate a full day to intensive training.

In an article in the April 30th 1960 edition of the Okinawa Times Tatsuo Shimabuku expressed the following.

"Even if we cannot promote friendship between Okinawa and America through karate, my true hope is that if karate becomes popular in the USA and Hawaii, then Okinawa would also become more well understood," said Mr. Shimabuku.”

Ichariba Choodee is an Okinawan saying meaning once we meet and talk we are brothers and sisters. This is part of Okinawa culture.

Training with one another in the martial arts we learn to work with people of all cultures, backgrounds, and faiths. It is a small step to be able to train together and get along. That single action is a step towards the much loftier goal of world peace. This is Ichariba Choodee in action.

In Okinawa Karate world peace is symbolized in the beginning of Kusanku Kata.

Kanpai to Master Shimabuku for planting the seed and starting many on the path of Karate-Do. It is a lifelong pursuit. Below is a picture of Master Shimabuku checking Sensei Advincula’s Sanchin kata. Sensei today at 88 years old is still passing on the lessons from his teacher.

Today we commemorate Tatsuo Shimabuku Sep 19,1908 - May 30, 1975

An early version of Wansu kata performed by Sensei Don Nagle. Note the use of the back fist instead of the punch. Also you can see he uses the hook punches in this version as well.

Master Don Nagle "Wansu Kata" Master Don Nagle, a direct student of Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku,...

A successful enbukai at the Megami Garden Dojo. It was great to see practitioners from around the world including Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, The Netherlands, and throughout the USA.

Spent the past two weeks training at the Ryu Kon Kai Honbu dojo in Okinawa. Grandmaster Kotaro Iha is one of only 20 teachers to be labeled as an Intangible Cultural Asset Holder in Okinawa Karate and Kobujutsu by Okinawa Prefecture.

Merry Christmas from Ryukokan Dojo! Try not to poke your eye out this holiday season!