The Hoitsugan Seminars
Some of the
best instructors from various organizations are coming together from
far and wide to carry on a legacy -- the legacy of Nakayama Sensei. From their training at the
Hoitsugan, these instructors all share one thing: a sense of obligation
to pass on the extraordinary insights into karate training that
they gained in Japan.
These seminars have involved an extraordinary gathering of non-Japanese Shotokan instructors, unparalleled within the Karate world.
For the first time ever, over a dozen instructors, all of whom lived and trained
in Japan, taught more than 20 classes over a four-day period in 2004. Many
of them trained directly with Nakayama Sensei prior to his passing in 1987.
Someof these instructors lived in Japan for many years and have gained
experiences that may be invaluable to your own training. This event set a new
standard of excellence for seminars. The Hoitsugan Seminars have been repeated
in 2005 and 2008 and more are being planned for later in 2008 and beyond.
Pictures from the Hoitsugan Seminars, 2004
***Order the DVD from the Hoitsugan Seminars, 2004***
Some classes are open to
all ranks and ages. Some are restricted to just black belt adults. There
may also be some classes in yoga and breathing that non-martial artists are
welcome to attend. Some instructors focus exclusively on ideas and training
methods they picked up while training in Japan. Others combine their Japan
experience with their own thoughts on training and teaching.
Links to past Hoitsugan Seminars
Hoitsugan Seminars 1 (Northern California, USA, Feb 19-22, 2004)
Hoitsugan Seminars 2 (Southern California, USA, April 28-May 1, 2005)
Hoitsugan Seminars 2 (Northern California, USA, March 12-16, 2008)
Links to upcoming Hoitsugan Seminars
(To Be Determined)
Some articles about Hoitsugan Seminars:
http://www.theshotokanway.com/hoitsuganseminars2005.html
http://www.artofzenyoga.com/skm.htm#art-5
http://www.wayoflifekarate.com/hoits05.htm
In order of time first training at the Hoitsugan Dojo and/or with Nakayama Sensei while in Japan:
Vincent Cruz - Cruz Sensei began his Shotokan training in Japan in 1956 while in the US Air Force. In 1959, he was selected to be a Combative Measures Instructor for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) through which he trained directly with Senseis Nishiyama and Obata, among others. Cruz Sensei founded International San Ten Karate Association and has written 2 books about Shotokan.
Kensuke Seto - In addition to having spent time training at the Hoitsugan in the early 1970's, Mr Seto trained in the Instructors' Class (under Nakayama Sensei and others) in Japan and is a very senior member of the JKA in Tokyo. He was sent by the JKA to teach in Hawaii in the 1970's for several years. He is also a close personal friend of notable non-Japanese karateka CW Nicol, author of "Moving Zen" (in which Seto Sensei is mentioned numerous times). For more information, please see the following page from his dojo in Tokyo: http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~karate/html/e_teacher.htm
Gary Friederich - Friederich Sensei was the first westerner allowed to join the elite JKA Instructors' Training Program in Tokyo. He had also trained at Takushoku, Komazawa, and Toritsu Universities and competed in the 1965 and 1966 JKA All-Japans as the only representative of the USA. Although he may not be a very well-known name in most Shotokan circles, it is worth noting that he was mentioned several times in both CW Nicol's 'Moving Zen' and Stan Schmidt's 'Spirit of the Empty Hand.' Friederich Sensei has been chief instructor for the Nevada Karate Association, for the past 42 years.
James Yabe - Yabe
Sensei's training with Nakayama Sensei in Japan pre-dates the Hoitsugan's founding.
He lived and trained in Japan in the 1960's, having been involved in karate
since the 1950's. His tournament success in the US in the 1960's and 1970's
is well-known. He teaches in Torrance, California, at the ASKC
dojo there.
Steve Ubl - The
first Hoitsugan resident, from 1972, Ubl Sensei also trained at the Hoitsugan
later in the 1970's. A very personal student of the late Nakayama Sensei,
from whom he learned some things not taught to more than a handful of the top
Shotokan instructors. Considered by many of the most highly-regarded Shotokan
instructors as the ultimate "teachers' teacher," Ubl Sensei operates
a dojo in Rancho Santa Fe, California and is the Technical Director for the
WTKO.
James Field - Trained in Japan
in the early 1970's. Among the first graduates of the JKA Instructors'
Training program in the USA (under Nishiyama Sensei in LA) and one of the seniormost
non-Japanese JKA instructors in the Americas. Very successful tournament
competitor and coach from the 1960's onwards. Many Hoitsugan alumni have
trained at Field Sensei's dojo in Santa Monica over the years, including about
half of those teaching these seminars. Chief Instructor for JKA of Santa Monica.
Malcolm Fisher - Lived
at the Hoitsugan for a total of 9 months during 1979-81. Graduated from
the JKA Instructors' Training in 1985 and during the early 1980's appeared in
many demonstrations and videos assisting Tanaka Sensei. Successful competitor
in Japan, Canada and the US spanning over 20 years. Some notable tournament
successes include 2 Firsts and 1 Second place in Kumite for Kogenei City Championships
and on kumite teams that placed 4th and 2nd in the All-Japans and 1st (twice)
in the Kanto Championships.
Kousaku Yokota
- Yokota Sensei began his training in Japan in 1960. He moved to the US
and was Okazaki Sensei's right-hand-man for most of the 1970's. He moved back
to Japan in the early 1980's to further his training, spending a brief time
training at the Hoitsugan and spending 2 years training with his orginal instructor
(Sugano Sensei) in Hyogo prefecture. Yokota Sensei is currently the Chairman
of JKS Americas region and teaches at his dojo in San Jose, California.
Michael Berger
- Berger Sensei trained in Japan for several years in the 1980s & 1990s,
beginning in 1983. While there, he trained at multiple locations, including
both Takushoku and Komazawa Universities. He has placed in numerous tournaments
in the US and Japan in both JKA and mixed-style events and produced several
books and video's. Currently teaches in the Los Angeles area: http://www.wayoflifekarate.com/
Mr Berger was one of the organizers for Hoitsugan Seminars II, in 2005.
Jon Keeling - Keeling Sensei lived at the Hoitsugan Sep 1985 to July 1988, July-Aug 1990 and for a few other short stays. He lived in Tokyo for a total of 8 years and for a few years taught most of the Saturday classes at the Hoitsugan. On Hoitsugan kata teams that placed 3rd, 2nd and 1st in different years at the JKA All-Tokyo Championships. Chief Instructor, JKA of Silicon Valley. Was organizer of 1st Hoitsugan Seminars in northern California in 2004 and 2008 and is the Director of the Hoitsugan Seminars Planning Committee.
Leon Montoya - Lived at the Hoitsugan from
1986 for several years and after a total of nearly 20 years in Tokyo now teaches
karate full-time in France. Graduate of the JKA Instructors' Course in
Tokyo (1996). In the past, Montoya Sensei has been an official instructor
at the Hoitsugan Dojo, assisting Kawawada Sensei. On Hoitsugan kumite
teams placing several times at the JKA All-Tokyo Championships and has competed
many times in the All-Japan JKA Individual Championships.
Bob Ehling -
Lived and trained in Tokyo in the late 1980's to early 1990's. Ehling
Sensei previously trained with Yokota Sensei (above) and now trains under Field
Sensei (another Hoitsugan alumni) in Santa Monica, California, where he sometimes
helps teach classes at JKA of Santa Monica.
Glen Michel - Trained at the JKA Honbu, the Hoitsugan, and Seto Juku from 1987 to 1991. In the US, he has trained with Field Sensei in Santa Monica, California and with Yabe Sensei in Torrance, California. Presently, he is Assistant Instructor with Michael Berger (see above). Mr. Michel was one of the organizers for Hoitsugan Seminars II in 2005.
Jeremy Peck - Peck Sensei lived
at the Hoitsugan 1987-88 and July-Sep 1990. He spent an additional year+
living and training in Japan prior to staying at the Hoitsugan and during that
time trained regularly at the Aoyama Gakuin University dojo. On Hoitsugan
kata team that placed 2nd and 1st in 1987 and 1988 in the JKA All-Tokyo Championships.
Presently teaches at University of California Santa Cruz and in Monterey, California.
Greg DuBois - Lived at the Hoitsugan 1987-88.
Teaches karate in Alaska.
Aaron
Hoopes - Trained at the Hoitsugan 1987-1989, where
he was a member of the dojo teams competing in All-Tokyo tournaments. Was also
living and training in Japan for an additional 2 years. Author of 3 books
and many articles relating to martial arts and yoga. Instructor of Tai
Chi and Zen Yoga in addition to Karate. www.artofzenyoga.com
Richard Amos - Lived in Japan
for 9 years from 1989 to 1998, having been a Hoitsugan member Jan 1989 to Sep
1990. On the Hoitsugan kumite team (along with Rene Vildosola and Leon
Montoya) which placed 1st in the All-Tokyo tournament in 1989, winning all rounds
3-to-0. That same year, he was on the Hoitsugan kata team (along with
Rene Vildosola and Rai Wibawa) that placed 2nd in the All-Japans. Graduate
of the Asai-JKA Instructors' Course in Tokyo. Placed in finals of the
Asai-JKA All-Japans and World Championships on numerous occasions. Amos Sensei
teaches at his dojo in New
York and is also Chief Instructor for the WTKO.
Erik Passoja - Trained at the
Hoitsugan in 1989. Presently trains under Field Sensei (another Hoitsugan
alumni) in Santa Monica, California, where he teaches classes at JKA
of Santa Monica.
Fred Borda - Trained at the Hoitsugan
1991-94. Instructor at JKA
of Silicon Valley.
Mario Kadena - Trained at the Hoitsugan a total of six times during the 1991 and 2001, for several months each time. Kadena Sensei teaches at his dojo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and has been doing Shotokan for over 35 years.
Dan Cook - Lived at the
Hoitsugan in the mid-90's and presently lives in Tokyo, where he has
lived for a total of over 12 years. On Hoitsugan kata
team that placed 3rd in JKA All-Tokyo Championships in 1996.
Brian Thompson - Lived at the
Hoitsugan total of about 1 year in the mid-90's. Has taught at a
several dojo in northern California but is currently self-training only.
*Please note: Many other Hoitsugan alumni and
others who have trained in Japan, as well as other senior karateka have
also been present for training but not teaching.
Watch for our articles in the September 2005 issue of Shotokan Karate Magazine and October 2005 issue of ShotoMag!
Questions? Please send email to jon@jkasv.com (Jon Keeling).
The Hoitsugan Dojo and
dormitory (six small rooms) were set up in 1972 by the late JKA Chief
Instructor Nakayama Sensei (with the help of Kanazawa Sensei, now head
of SKIF) for
people coming to Tokyo from around the world to train. It is located
just around the corner from where the Honbu Dojo had been for 2+
decades, in Ebisu-Nishi.
More about the Hoitsugan
Jon@jkasv.com