Here at Club "NAHA" Karate-Do, our goal is to inspire and enable our students through karate training to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring individuals. Club "NAHA" Karate-Do will help strengthen their spirit, mind, and body, by providing a positive karate dojo for kids by focusing on caring, confidence, honesty, leadership, respect, and responsibility.



Monday, January 30, 2012

Club “NAHA” Karate-Do History

1700s
Matsu Higa trains under Zhang Xue Li
Matsu Higa trains in Fujian White Crane under Wanshu
Peichin Takahara trains under Matsu Higa
Tode Sakugawa trains in Tode under Peichin Takahara
Tode Sakugawa trains in Chuan Fa under Kusanku

1810
Bushi Matsumura begins training in Tode under Tode Sakugawa

1846
Itosu Anko begins training in Tode under Bushi Matsumura

1870s
Higaonna Kanryo begins training in the Chinese Martial Arts under Wan Shin Zan and Ryū Ryū Ko

1897
Toyama Kanken begins training in Tode under Cho Itarashiki
Toyama Kanken begins training in Shuri-Te under Itosu Anko

1907
Toyam Kanken begins training in Naha-Te under Higaonna Kanryo
Toyama Kanken becomes assistant Shihan under Itsou Anko

1924
Toyama Kanken moves to Taiwan
Toyama Kanken begins training in Taku Kenpo
Toyama Kanken begins training in Makaitan Kenpo under Rin Ken Do
Toyama Kanken begins training in Ruta-obai Kenpo under Rin Ken Do
Toyama Kanken begins training in Ubo Kenpo under Chin Bu Sei

1930
Toyama Kanken moves to Japan
Toyama Kanken establishes his first dojo and names it Shudokan

1949
Toyama Kanken is awarded the special title of Okinawa Bushi (Okinawan Warrior) by the Governor of Okinawa

1958
July, Nobuyoshi Murata introduces Karate to Mexico

1962
Angel Marques Lopez begins training in Judo at the Naples Karate-Judo Club
Angel Marques Lopez and Antonio Marques Lopez train in karate under Nobuyoshi Murata

1965
Angel Marques Lopez earns his black belt in Judo
Angel Marques Lopez and others travel to Japan and study Shudokan Karate

1966
August, Toyama Kanken recognizes both Angel Marques Lopez and Antonio Marques Lopez as black belts in Shuokan

1960s
Angel Romero Arriaga trains in Shudokan under Angel Marques Lopez

1970s
Renshi Javier begins training in Toyama Karate-Do and Shudokan Karate-Do under Angel Marques Lopez and Angel Romero Arriaga

1979
January, Dr. Joon Ho Suek begins teaching Wonhwa Do (Tong Il Mo Do)

1986
June, Shihan Ken Walsh begins training in Shudokan Karate with Renshi Javier Diaz (Founder of Club de Karate-Do “NAHA”) six days a week
December, Renshi Javier Diaz moves back to Mexico

1987
February, Shihan Ken begins training in Wonhwa-Do (Now known as Tong Il Moo Do) under Kensaku Takahashi

1989
January, Shihan Ken earns black belt in Wonhwa-Do
Shihan Ken also studied with Kyoshi Tommy May in Isshin Ryu
Shihan Ken also studied with Sifu Bonny Lim in Ngo Chu
Shihan Ken also studied with Ken Parker in Judo
Shihan Ken also studied with Dennis Campo in Tae Kwon Do
Shihan Ken also studied with Professor Vee in Vee Arnis Jujitsu
Shihan Ken develops Hensen Ryu and establishes a dojo in New Rochelle, New York. Shihan Ken names the dojo Club Naha in honor of his first instructor Renshi Javier Diaz

1992
Shihan Ken moves to Maine
March, Establishes a Club Naha dojo at the Waterville Boys and Girls Club
September, Renshi Craig Sargent begins training under Shihan Ken

1993
Renshi Craig begins training in Kick Boxing under Sensei Bob Hartley

1995
December, Renshi Craig earns black belt in Hensen Ryu

1999
Renshi Javier Diaz moves to Maine and teaches Shudokan Karate at Club Naha

2000
Renshi Craig begins training in Boxing under Mark Landry

2002
Renshi Javier Diaz moves back to Mexico
More Shudokan Karate is added to Hensen Ryu

2006
Shihan Ken makes Renshi Craig the head of Hensen Ryu

2007
June, Renshi Javier visits Maine and teaches Shudokan
Renshi Craig begins learning Shudokan under Sensei Javier Diaz Jr.

2008
Renshi Craig trains in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu under Sensei Rich Charlebois
Some Danzan Ryu Jujitsu is added to Hensen Ryu

2011
January, Renshi Javier visits Maine and teaches Shudokan
More Shudokan Karate is added to Hensen Ryu
June, Some Wonhwa Do Kata and One Step Sparring are subtracted from Hensen Ryu
Hensen Ryu is renamed Club “NAHA” Karate-Do
July, Renshi Javier visits Maine and teaches Shudokan

Sunday, January 29, 2012

A Brief History of Shudokan Karate-Do


A Brief History of Shudokan Karate-Do

With the advent of Gichin Funakoshi's introduction of Okinawan Karate to Japan in the early 1920's, the popularity of karate began to grow. Soon, other Okinawan masters began to travel to Japan to proliferate their arts. One such man was Kanken Toyama, whose Okinawan name was Kanken Oyadamari. A school teacher by profession, Toyama's chosen avocation was the instruction of karate. He started his karate training at the age of 9 with a master named Itarashiki. His major teacher was the famous Itosu Yasutsune, with whom Toyama studied for 18 years.

In 1907 Toyama became Itosu's assistant at Shuri dojo. Toyama became one of only two of Itosu's students to be granted the title of "Shihanchi", or protege, of Itosu's O kuge (innermost secrets).

Aside from learning Shorin-ryu from Itosu, Toyama studied and mastered their styles of karate from other notable masters of Naha-te and Tomari-te, which included weapons arts. A few of his other teachers were, Aragaki, Azato. Chibana, Higaonna, Oshiro, and Tana. Toyama's interest in martial arts was not limited to karate. He was considered an expert swordsman, as well. While on a six year assignment to teach elementary school in Japanese occupied Taiwan (1924-1930), he studied Chinese martial arts with masters Chen Fong Tai in Taipei and Lim Fun Fong in Taichung.

Given this diverse martial arts background, the Japanese government soon recognized Toyama's prowess, and awarded him the right to promote to any rank in any style of Okinawan karate. An official gave Toyama the title of master instructor. Toyama's first dojo was opened in Tokyo in 1930, and he quickly became famous for his Aka Ryoku (strong gripping methods of Itosu and Itarashiki).

The name of Toyama's school was Shudokan, which means "Institute for the cultivation of the way." Today, this term refers not only to his school, but also to his system. Shudokan karate is a composite system, encompassing Kobutjutsu (Ancient art, referring to the specialized weapons practice of Okinawan karate). There are also kata (formal exercises) that are unique to Shudokan karate. Shurite, sometimes known as Shorin-ryu, or Itosu-ha is a component of Shudokan karate. Its kata represent light, quick motions and a variety of power sources.

The Naha-te system's forms, sometimes known as Goju-ryu, Shorie-ryu, or Higashiona-ha, represent strong rooted motions with an emphasis on internal breathing. Power sources include both hard, and soft. The Tomari-te style is generally considered an extinct system except in a few composite systems such as Shudokan.

Tomari-te is characterized by the speed of the Shorin-ryu and the strength of the Naha-te, and also included its own soft type of power. Tomari-te included some tight yet sophisticated motions; and in appearance it is both graceful and noble.

The aspect of weapons in Shudokan adds to its versatility and practicality. Weapons have also affected the empty hand forms in that the motions tend to be larger, often drawing a number of intersecting circles, with different parts of the body moving on different planes at the same time.

Shudokan is characterized by large circular motions with an emphasis on covering. The practice of extension of the motions develops power and physique. Soft power is taught along with sophisticated applications. which included throws, blocks, and chokes. Because of the balance between hard and soft power, this system promotes good heath.

Shudokan, because of its physical character, has developed its own unique kata. One set of forms that were developed within the system is the Kyoku forms. There are seven kata in this group,. starting with the very basic techniques, and building into long complex form, in a set progression. Originally taught only at the Hombu Dojo (Headquarters School), even the most basic of these kata were reserved for members who held a third degree black belt or higher. These forms were developed to represent the fighting techniques of the system and were considered secret. Today, the basic Kyoku forms are taught only to brown belt student, and the longer more complex forms are still taught only to black belts.

Another unique set of forms created by Shudokan are; Sonshin, Kakashin, and Choshin. These forms are used to develop and concentrate the potential of an individual.

As an educator, Toyama believed his system should not stagnate. This intention was built into the system to allow for its continued growth of both the individual and style.

This account is edited information that has been provided by Shihan Walter Todd (the American Shudokan Association), and the East Asian Cultural Institute.

Yoso No Karate #1