This years Genbu-Kai Awards Banquet was held at Angelo and Vinci's Restaurant in Fullerton California. After watching a video of the 2007 Interdojo Tournament everyone had a great Italian dinner.  Demura Shihan presented an inspirational message about Karate-"Do" then presented rank advancements and special recognition awards to many Genbu-Kai students.  After the awards there was a terrific Genbu-Kai 2007 slide show.  Thank you Sensei Demura for another wonderful Genbu-Kai event!   

    Sensei Daniel Ivan passed away after a long battle with illness Nov. 14th at 7pm at the VA Medical Center in Loma Linda, Calif.. Sensei Ivan began training in hand to hand combat while in the military in 1945 and continued his formal training for many years in Japan. He has earned black belts in Karate, Judo, Aikido, and Kendo. Ivan founded the Japan Karate Federation of America, was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame, and became the first U.S. Director of the prestigious International Martial Arts Federation. In addition to his achievements in the martial arts, Dan Ivan has been an instructor to CID Agents, Law Enforcement Officers, and the U.S. Marine Corps. He also earned a rare commendation from Japan National Police for undercover work on international cases. Sensei Ivan has long been instrumental in promoting the martial arts in the United States. He opened his first dojo in 1956 in Southern California eventually opening 8 additional locations. Genbu-Kai students owe Sensei Ivan a permanent debt of gratitude, in 1965 he helped convince Shihan Fumio Demura to come to the U.S. to stay and together they co-authored numerous Karate/Kobudo books and videos. Sensei Ivan was an exceptional man and martial artist. He will be missed...

    The 2007 Genbu-Kai Interdojo Tournament was held today in the main Gymnasium at Costa Mesa High School in sunny Costa Mesa, California.  Genbu-Kai students assembled from far and wide to participate.  The competitors marched into the gym in order by dojo. After Kelly Eyre sang the U.S. National Anthem Shihan Demura welcomed everyone and started the activities. Spectators were then treated to impressive demonstrations of Board Breaking, Karate Kata, Ippon Kumite, Batto, Kobudo, defense applications and Senpai Dan performed the wonderful "Old Samurai with his granddaughter " routine.  All this was followed by a great day of excellent karate performances.  Special thanks to all the scorekeepers and other volunteers that helped make this a great event and a big "Well Done" to all competitors!

    On November 3^rd 2007, led by Sensei Damon Pace, 14 Genbu-Kai Colorado students competed in the Delta Karate Championships (a USKA open tournament).  The competition included styles of Gojo Ryu, Shotokan, Shito Ryu, Shorin Ryu, Tae Kwon Do and Uechi Ryu.  All the Genbu-Kai students won awards despite the fact that it was a first time ever Karate tournament for the majority of them!  They must be paying attention in class, training very hard and practicing often!. 

Interdojo Tournament Charting Group

November 2nd 2007

Photo Link

    Genbu-Kai students assembled at Costa Mesa High School in Costa Mesa, California for an excellent Referee/Scorekeeper Seminar.  The event ran from 11:30am until 3:00pm.  Higher belts had the opportunity to practice their referee skills.  Lower belts had the opportunity to learn scorekeeping and to practice their Kumite skills.  There is no better place than a Referee Seminar to practice kumite for competition!  After the event, Pizza was delivered and everyone had a great lunch.  If you missed it, you missed out!

Colorado "Battle of Champions"

September 15th 2007

Web Link

Born on this day in 1938 at Yokohama, Japan...Happy Birthday Sensei!

California  All Genbu-Kai All Black Belt students (1st kyu and above) must be training at the Sunday Kata class at the Hombu dojo in Santa Ana (more than 1 or 2 times a year) for repair and correction of Katas, better conditioning and building good relationships with other Genbu-Kai students...Time to get up and get to class!

All Genbu-Kai  We are making a new BLACK BELT ALBUM to be ready for the next February tournament and ALL JR. RED BELTs and ALL BLACK BELT ADULTs (1st Kyu  and above} (active or not) will need to complete the small form and provide a current photo.  The forms will be available here in Ken-Yu and in the forms section of the Bulletin Board page.

JKF Rengo-Kai Florida Seminars & Awards

    Shihan Demura recently traveled to Florida and on Saturday and Sunday September 8 th and 9 th he conducted Karate Seminars with the JKF Rengo-Kai group.  The first Seminar was held at the South Shoto-Kan dojo with Sensei Doug Stein.  The second seminar was on Sunday at the Shorin-Ryu dojo with Sensei Jesus Costa.  Shihan Demura and Senpai Thanh Nguyen taught special Kata bunkai in both seminars.  In the Shorin-Ryu dojo there was also a first time awards presentation of Blackbelts.  They promoted more than 20 new junior and adult Yudan-Sha.