31/08/2026
🇯🇵 A Journey to the Heart of Goju-Ryu Karate-Do
Japan Karate Pilgrimage | August 2026
On the 14 August 2026, Morgan Moss Shihan – 5th Dan, and Gary Hemingway Shidoin – 3rd Dan embarked on an unforgettable journey to Japan—a journey that combined personal training, cultural exploration, intensive karate study, international friendship and a deep immersion into the traditions and spirit of Goju-Ryu Karate-do.
🇯🇵 Tokyo, Japan | 15–18 August 2026
Personal Training, Exploration and Preparation
Our journey began in the vibrant and extraordinary city of Tokyo.
For the first few days, from 15 to 18 August, we had the opportunity to experience some of the sights and culture of this remarkable city while also making time for personal training and preparation for the demanding days that lay ahead.
Tokyo provided the perfect introduction to Japan—a fascinating balance between the energy and innovation of modern life and the deep respect for tradition that remains visible throughout Japanese society.
For us, however, this was more than simply a sightseeing experience.
It was the beginning of a karate pilgrimage—an opportunity to reconnect with the country, culture and traditions that have played such an important role in shaping our understanding and lifelong study of martial arts.
🥋 Omagari, Japan | 19–25 August 2026
Goju-Ryu Karate-do Seiwakai International Seminar
From Tokyo, we travelled to Omagari, where the next and perhaps most intensive chapter of our journey awaited us.
From 19 to 25 August, we attended the annual Goju-Ryu Karate-do Seiwakai International Seminar, joining karate practitioners from around the world for an intensive period of training, learning and fellowship.
The opportunity to train in Japan alongside practitioners who share the same passion and respect for traditional Goju-Ryu Karate-do was a tremendous privilege.
The seminar represented far more than simply attending training sessions. It was an opportunity to immerse ourselves completely in karate—to train, observe, question, learn and share experiences with karateka from different countries, backgrounds and generations.
An Exceptional Teaching Faculty
One of the greatest privileges of the Omagari experience was the opportunity to learn from an exceptional group of senior instructors, each bringing decades of experience, knowledge and personal understanding to the training floor.
The instructors heavily involved in the teaching programme included:
• Seiichi Fujiwara Hanshi – 9th Dan — Head Instructor
• Satoru Takahashi Hanshi – 8th Dan
• Vassie Naidoo Hanshi – 8th Dan
• Kazuhisa Saito Kyoshi – 7th Dan
• Abel Figueiredo Kyoshi – 7th Dan
• Rastislav Mráz Kyoshi – 7th Dan
• Glenn Stephenson Kyoshi – 7th Dan
• Stacey Karetsian Kyoshi – 7th Dan
• Roderick Martin Kyoshi – 7th Dan
• Craig Vokey Kyoshi – 7th Dan
• John Paul Williams Kyoshi – 7th Dan
To train under such a diverse and experienced group of instructors was invaluable.
Each instructor brought a unique perspective to the technical, physical and philosophical aspects of Goju-Ryu Karate-do. Yet, despite their different personalities and teaching approaches, there remained a clear connection—a shared understanding of the principles and traditions that underpin the art.
Experiences such as these remind us that karate is a universal language.
Regardless of where we come from, the sweat, discipline, repetition, challenge and constant pursuit of improvement connect us all.
A Personal Highlight
One of the most significant and personally humbling moments of the entire journey came during the Seiwakai International Seminar in Omagari.
For Morgan Moss Shihan, it was an unexpected honour when Vassie Naidoo Hanshi and Seiichi Fujiwara Hanshi approached Morgan and offered him the opportunity to teach a kumite session during the seminar.
To be entrusted with the opportunity to teach at an international seminar of this calibre, surrounded by such highly respected and experienced instructors, was both an honour and a privilege.
It was a moment that I do not take lightly.
To be given the confidence and trust of senior instructors such as Hanshi Naidoo and Hanshi Fujiwara to stand before international karateka and share my knowledge was a deeply humbling experience.
The opportunity was not simply about teaching techniques. It represented something far more meaningful—the recognition of a shared journey, the responsibility that comes with knowledge, and the importance of contributing to the continued development and exchange of Goju-Ryu Karate-do.
It was an experience that will remain a personal highlight of the Japan 2026 journey.
A moment of great honour.
A moment of humility.
And a moment of sincere gratitude.
🥋 Yokohama, Japan | 27–30 August 2026
JKF Goju-Kai Seminar & JKF Goju-Kai Tournament
Our Japanese karate journey continued as we travelled to Yokohama to attend the annual JKF Goju-Kai Seminar and JKF Goju-Kai Tournament, held from 27 to 30 August 2026.
This provided another exceptional opportunity to experience Japanese Goju-Ryu Karate-do at the highest level.
The seminar offered further opportunities for technical study and development, while the tournament allowed us to witness the exceptional standard, discipline and intensity of Japanese karate competition.
Learning from Japanese Masters
The Yokohama seminar featured several highly respected instructors who played a significant role in the teaching programme:
• Shigenori Sato Hanshi – 8th Dan
• Tatsuo Takegawa Hanshi – 8th Dan
• Norihiko Masuda Kyoshi – 7th Dan
A particularly significant opportunity was the chance to learn from Shihan Shigenori Sato, an 8th Dan Hanshi and the Director of the Kata Instructing Committee of JKF Goju-Kai.
Shihan Sato is also recognised for his role in coaching elite-level athletes, including WKF World Champions such as Hikaru Ohno and Kakeru Nishiyama.
His understanding of kata, combined with his experience in developing athletes at the highest international level, provided an important perspective on the relationship between traditional karate principles and modern competitive excellence.
Observing and learning within this environment was particularly valuable.
It demonstrated that a deep respect for tradition and a commitment to technical evolution are not opposing ideas. When approached correctly, they can complement one another.
The experience encouraged us to reflect critically on our own karate, our methods of training and the direction in which we continue to develop.
🇯🇵 Tokyo, Japan | 31 August 2026
A Final Day of Reflection
Following the conclusion of the JKF Goju-Kai Seminar and Tournament in Yokohama, we were fortunate to have one final free day in Japan on 31 August.
This gave us the opportunity to travel from Yokohama back to Tokyo, reflect on the experiences of the previous two weeks and enjoy a final day in Japan before beginning our journey home.
After days filled with intensive training, seminars, competition, friendships and unforgettable experiences, this final day provided an opportunity to reflect on everything that had been learned and experienced throughout the journey.
On 1 September 2026, we began our journey home—returning with tired bodies, full hearts, renewed motivation and a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to take back to our dojo and students in South Africa.
More Than a Trip
From the streets and sights of Tokyo, to the intensive training and international fellowship in Omagari, and finally to the JKF Goju-Kai Seminar and Tournament in Yokohama, every stage of this journey contributed to an experience that will remain with us for many years.
But this journey was never simply about travelling to Japan.
It was about seeking knowledge.
It was about reconnecting with tradition.
It was about challenging ourselves.
It was about learning from some of the world's most experienced karate instructors.
It was about building friendships across borders.
And most importantly, it was about continuing the lifelong journey that is karate-do.
We return home with renewed motivation, new knowledge, valuable experiences and a deeper appreciation for the art that has become such an important part of our lives.
However, with knowledge comes responsibility.
The responsibility to continue studying.
The responsibility to question and understand.
The responsibility to preserve tradition while remaining open to learning.
And the responsibility to share what we have learned with the next generation of karateka.
A Special Thank You to Those at Home
No journey such as this is ever undertaken entirely by those who travel.
While we were privileged to be in Japan, training, learning and experiencing this remarkable journey, there were equally important people back home in South Africa who ensured that the work continued and that our students and dojo were exceptionally well looked after.
A very special and heartfelt thank you must go to the lovely Benné, whose assistance with logistics for both Tour India 2026 and the dojo was simply tremendous. Your support, organisation and willingness to assist behind the scenes played an incredibly important role in ensuring that everything continued to run smoothly.
Special recognition and sincere appreciation must also go to:
• Gavin Pansegrouw Sensei
• Danielle van Wyk Sensei
• Martin Bergh Senpai
• Xander Engelbrecht Senpai
Each of you made a tremendous personal sacrifice and gave generously of your time and energy to ensure that the dojo continued to operate to the standard we expect and, more importantly, that our students remained supported and well looked after during our absence.
Your commitment, loyalty and willingness to step up when needed does not go unnoticed.
A successful journey abroad is only possible when you have a strong team behind you at home.
Knowing that the dojo, our students and the day-to-day responsibilities were in such capable hands allowed us to focus fully on the purpose of our journey.
For that, we are sincerely grateful.
Thank you for carrying the responsibility, maintaining the standard and ensuring that everything continued in our absence.
This journey may have taken place in Japan, but its success was supported by an incredible team back home in South Africa.
To Our Students
To all our students, I look forward to imparting the knowledge I have gained and sharing the many valuable experiences that we were fortunate enough to encounter throughout this journey.
This was, after all, one of the main reasons why we travelled.
Travel and training are never simply about personal achievement. The true value lies in returning home and sharing what has been learned with those who continue to place their trust in us as teachers.
I return from Japan not only as a better karateka, but, I believe, as a better teacher and a better person.
The lessons gained extended far beyond techniques, kata and kumite. They came through the people we met, the friendships we strengthened, the challenges we experienced and the opportunity to immerse ourselves in an environment dedicated to the continuous pursuit of improvement.
It is now my responsibility—and my privilege—to bring those experiences back into the dojo.
To share them.
To teach them.
And to continue this journey together.
Because knowledge has its greatest value when it is shared.
🇯🇵 Japan 2026 — The Journey Continues 🥋
August 2026 will remain a significant chapter in our karate journey.
This was more than a holiday.
More than a training camp.
More than a tournament.
It was a journey of learning.
A journey of friendship.
A journey of discovery.
And ultimately, a pilgrimage to the heart of Goju-Ryu Karate-do.
This was not the end of the journey—only another important chapter in a lifelong study of karate-do.
The lessons learned, friendships strengthened and experiences gained in Japan will continue to influence our training long after we have returned home.
With renewed motivation and an even deeper appreciation for the path of karate-do, we look forward to the next opportunity to return, learn, train and reconnect.
🇯🇵 See you in Japan in 2027!
ありがとうございます — Arigatō gozaimasu 🇯🇵
12/08/2026
03/08/2026
25/07/2026
25/07/2026
04/07/2026
09/06/2026
08/06/2026