The Martial Arts World has lost another great treasure.  Stuart Quan Sensei Demura's long time friend. passed away Sunday January 8^th, 2006. Sensei Demura and Genbu-Kai offer their deepest sympathies to his other friends and family.  He will be missed…

    On July 17, 2005 in Malaga Spain Francisco (Paco) Camarena a marital artist of great renown and a member of the Genbu-Kai family passed away.   On December 17^th 2005 Genbu-Kai Spain, Organized by Jose Luis Sanchez and Bernald Garcia and other senior members presented a “Memorial Gala” event for Paco.  Shihan Demura and Julian, Sharon Mallalieu (England), Dirk Kather (Germany) and many others attended the events.   The demonstration started at 5pm and hall was full of more then 2000 people.  The event opened after Shihan Demura presented Paco's wife Inmaculada and his 2 sons with Paco's 5^th Dan promotion and obi.   Then Shihan performed a demonstration in Paco’s memory.  Karate-do, Iai (self defense) and people enjoyed the show very much. After the Karate-Do demonstration came Tae Kwon Do, Kempo, Kung-Fu, Aikido, Judo, kick boxing and Brazilian-self defense Arts…the crowd liked it all.  The next day Genbu-Kai members dined together at a restaurant and 120 members arrived for Paco's memorial.

    The event brought members of a strong and proud Genbu-Kai Spain organization even closer together (now under the leadership of Diego Maldonado (Ni-Dan)).   Shihan Demura said after the event, “I think Paco is happy for all the people are together…”

    Genbu-Kai students from throughout the California southland gathered at the Santa Ana Dojo for a  Iaido / Batto seminar by Shihan Demura.  New Batto students received a beautiful Katana sword with their seminar entry!  (Thank you Sensei!)  Sensei Demura taught sword history and the history of our "International Batto-Do Rengo-Kai" organization.  He spent considerable time covering safety.  He obviously doesn't want any accidents.  Sensei also described (using Jim Eyre as a model) the traditional clothing and its usage.  Then he covered so much information, everything a new student needs to know about Iaido.  From how to wear the sword to how to put it away.  All the new students learned how to draw the sword and an Iaido Kata.  Then practiced it again and again in rotation.  Since there were many advanced students in attendance, there were always many excellent examples to watch.  Batto, the art of "Cutting" is taught to students as they progress in sword training.   This was an exciting and informative seminar.  Batto Classes are held every Sunday in Santa Ana, Ca. at the Hombu Dojo from 10:30am (immediately following Kata Class) till noon.

    Students from the Costa Mesa, Santa Ana and Newport Beach Dojos performed a Karate demonstration during the City of Newport Beach "Sunday, FUN Day" celebration.  Led by Jackie Long, the group performed basics, kata, kumite, weapons, board breaking and everything else you'd expect at a Karate demo.  After the demo, students were invited to join in the festivities that included sports apparatus, food and  multiple rock an roll bands.  It was a FUN Day!