DAIBUDO KODENKAN MATSUNO KENSHUKAI

Walking in Foundation - Why Foundations Matter

One of the hardest things for many new students to understand is why martial arts training spends so much time on basics.
A beginner often wants to move quickly toward more advanced techniques. Bigger throws. Faster combinations. More difficult kata. More movement. More action.

But experienced instructors understand that real progress is usually built much differently.

Before a student can move well under pressure, they first have to learn balance, posture, timing, awareness, coordination, control, and repetition. They must learn how to listen, how to pay attention to detail, and how to continue practicing even when something feels repetitive or difficult.

That is why foundational training matters.

A proper stance may not seem exciting at first. Learning how to fall correctly may not feel impressive. Repeating the same movement over and over can sometimes test a student’s patience. Yet these are often the very things that modestly build confidence, discipline, and long-term skill.

At Daibudō Kodenkan Matsuno Kenshūkai, we believe strong foundations create stronger students over time. Not simply physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

In many ways, the basics are not something students eventually leave behind. They are something students continue refining throughout the entire journey.

The foundation is not separate from the path.
It is the beginning of it.

Yesterday was a meaningful day at the Kodenkan Budokai (DKMK).

Many years ago, in November of 2012, while sitting together at Sensei Barry Holck’s desk, Sensei Barry verbally recognized and promoted Wayne Sebring to the rank of Yodan (4th Degree) in Shorin-Ryu Karate-do. Those who trained under Sensei Barry understood that advancement was never based on time alone. To him, rank reflected growth in the art, continued training, teaching, character, and dedication to the dojo and its students.

Sensei Barry never intentionally delayed recognition. Time was simply not something he closely monitored. His classes were scheduled for an hour and a half and often continued well beyond that because his attention was always on the training, the students, and the sharing of the art itself.

Had the traditional timeline been followed from Wayne’s 2012 recognition as Yodan, he would have been eligible for Godan in 2017 and Rokudan in 2023.

Yesterday, DKMK formally recognized that continued growth, commitment, and service.

It was my honor, and done without hesitation, to officially award and recognize Wayne Sebring with the rank of Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) in Shorin-Ryu Karate-do.

Additionally, in recognition of training and accomplishments completed years ago, Wayne was formally awarded and recognized with the rank of Shodan in Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu-do.

And I am certain that if Shihan Barry were still with us today, he too would have been very proud.

Congratulations, Sensei Wayne. The Ohana is proud of you and recognized with the rank of Shodan in Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu-do.

Today was not the beginning of Wayne’s journey. It was the formal recognition of a path already walked.
Congratulations, Shihan (Sensei) Wayne.

Today was an all-day Martial Arts Camp bringing together youth and adult students for a day of training, learning, and spending time together on the mat.

A special thank you to Mat’s Dojo, affiliated with the Kodenkan Yudanshukai, for inviting our students from Kodenkan Budokai (DKMK) to participate and for creating such a welcoming and enjoyable experience.

One of the first activities of the day was simple, but meaningful, and served as a way to kick off the camp and bring everyone together. As a ball was passed from person to person around the mat, each student and instructor introduced themselves and shared their favorite color before passing it to the next person.

Then one of the Senseis introduced himself and announced that his favorite color was… “KitKat.”

Needless to say, that brought laughter throughout the room and immediately set a relaxed and welcoming tone for the rest of the day.

Moments like these are a reminder that martial arts is not only about techniques and training. It is also about relationships, shared experiences, and building community.

Thank you again to everyone who helped make the day a success and for opening your dojo to all who attended.

May the Ohana be with you.

Walking in Foundation - A Quiet Moment on the Dojo Floor

One of the things that sometimes surprises new students or parents is that martial arts training is not constant movement or nonstop intensity.

There are moments of stillness too.

Moments where students are asked to sit still breathe, settle themselves, and leave the distractions of the outside world behind for a little while.

In our dojo, these moments are not treated as empty ritual. They are part of learning awareness, composure, patience, and self-control.

For younger students, it may begin simply as learning how to sit respectfully and remain focused for a short period of time. For older students, it often becomes something deeper... a chance to reset mentally, pay attention more carefully, and become fully present in the training.

These silent moments may seem small from the outside. Yet over time, they help shape how students carry themselves both inside and outside the dojo.

Much of martial arts training is built through repetition and physical practice. But part of the process is also learning how to become calm under pressure, attentive in the moment, and disciplined enough to listen before reacting.

Sometimes growth in the dojo does not happen during the loudest moments. Sometimes it begins in the calm ones.

Walking in Foundation

Over the years, many people have walked through the doors of our dojo for different reasons. Some came looking for self-defense. Some for confidence. Some for discipline, structure, exercise, or simply a place where they felt they belonged.

What many eventually discover is that martial arts training is not built only through techniques, belts, or physical ability. Much of it is built through repetition, consistency, correction, patience, and learning how to continue even when progress feels slow.

People often picture martial arts as noise, speed, and constant action. In reality, many of the most important lessons are developed in subtle moments like these.

A student learning how to sit still and pay attention. A child learning how to follow structure. An instructor observing carefully instead of constantly speaking. Older students helping younger ones learn how to move, listen, and carry themselves properly.

From the outside, moments like this may not seem especially important. But over time, they become part of the foundation that everything else is built upon.

At Daibudō Kodenkan Matsuno Kenshūkai, we have always tried to teach with purpose. Not simply what to do, but why we do it that way. Why fundamentals matter. Why control matters. Why patience, awareness, respect, and composure are part of training just as much as throws, strikes, or kata.

Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing reflections and insights from our dojo floor... why we teach the way we do, what we look for in students, how training develops over time, and some of the lessons that exist beyond physical technique alone.

These posts are not meant to present ourselves as perfect or to claim we have all the answers. They are simply an opportunity to share part of the culture, philosophy, and thought process behind how we teach, and what we are trying to preserve and pass forward.

For students, parents, friends of the dojo, and those simply curious about traditional martial arts... we hope these reflections offer a small window into what happens inside the dojo and why it matters.

Sometimes the most important things happening in a dojo are not the loudest moments. They are the ones that gradually shape character, confidence, discipline, and trust over time. - DKMK

🌺 Happy Mother’s Day 🌺
This Mother’s Day, we honor the memory of a very special woman in our dojo family, Shihan Amy Holck, a true pioneer whose legacy continues to inspire generations of students.
Pictured here is the proud moment Shihan Amy received her rank of Shihan from her beloved husband, Dai-Shihan Joe Holck, alongside her son, Shihan Vinson Holck. It was a milestone earned through decades of dedication, discipline, service, and heart.
Also pictured is a tender moment shared between Shihan Amy and our Founder, Shihan Barry. Moments like these remind us that behind every great martial artist is a foundation of love, sacrifice, family, and ohana.
Though they have all passed on, their spirit and love for Danzan Ryu continue to guide and inspire every student who steps onto the mat today.
We also want to recognize all of the mothers in our lives, those who cheer us on from the sidelines, help tie our obi, wash our gi, support our training journeys, and those who step onto the mat and train right alongside us. Your love and support help make our dojo ohana possible.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mothers in our Danzan Ryu family, both here and in spirit. 🥋🌺❤️

Thank you to the Kodenkan Yudanshakai for the invitation and MATS Dojo for hosting.

Proud of our students who stepped onto the mat and competed in the Kata Competition. Strong effort and great representation of the dojo.

🤛 Throwback Thursday 🤛

Long before social media, one of our own students, Jordahn, captured something truly special. She interviewed our founder and leader Sensei Barry Holck for the Bear Essential news here in Tucson.

Sensei Barry's words in this article say everything about who he was as a teacher and a human being: talk it out, walk away, seek help, use self-control. He wasn't just teaching martial arts. He was teaching life.

We carry his lessons with us every time we step onto the mat. The dojo lives on because of the foundation he built: respect, discipline, and heart.

Today, Chuck Norris passed away, and for many of us who are ardent supporters and participants in the teaching and learning of martial arts, Chuck Norris will be truly missed.

He was a great example of what dedication, discipline, and perseverance can look like when carried over a lifetime. Beyond the movies and television, he represented something deeper…a commitment to training, to personal growth, and to living with strength and integrity.

For many, he was an introduction to martial arts. For others, he was a reminder of what is possible when you stay consistent in your practice. His influence reached far beyond the screen and into dojos, gyms, and training halls around the world.

At our dojo, we recognize not just the legacy of a man, but the spirit he carried…one of effort, respect, and continual improvement.

Today, we take a moment to reflect, to appreciate, and to carry forward the path he helped illuminate.

Rest in peace.

Last month we had the privilege of attending the Kodenkan Yudanshakai annual banquet. It is always an honor to gather with our extended ohana and celebrate the traditions that continue to guide and strengthen our arts.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sensei Lindsay on the promotion to Go Dan in Danzan Ryu through the Yudanshakai. This recognition reflects years of dedication, leadership, and commitment to preserving and advancing our lineage.

It was especially meaningful to spend time reflecting on historical materials and archival documents that connect us directly to those who came before us. The questions asked decades ago about tradition, responsibility, and purpose still guide our training today.

We are grateful for the camaraderie, the shared history, and the continued growth of our community.

Mahalo nui loa for a wonderful evening.