Genbu-Kai students in Chile attended a Kobudo seminar presented by Fernando Soto Lamas and the Viña del Mar dojo. The well attended event was held in the spacious Gimnasio de la Corporación Municipal de Viña del Mar at 5:30pm on Saturday evening.

    Genbu-Kai students from across the southland led by Greg Collier performed a Karate demonstration at the Orange County Buddhist Temple in Anaheim, California. Demonstrations included Karate basics, kumite, various Katas, Batto and Kobudo and the always popular board breaking. Hanamatsuri is celebration of the Japanese "Flower Festival" and the Celebration of Buddha's birth day.

    Genbu-Kai students from across the southland led by Greg Collier performed a Karate demonstration at the Orange County Buddhist Temple in Anaheim, California. Demonstrations included Karate basics, kumite, various Katas, Batto and Kobudo and the always popular board breaking. Hanamatsuri is celebration of the Japanese "Flower Festival" and the Celebration of Buddha's birth day.

    David Jones of the Genbu-Kai North Carolina dojo has been seriously injured in an automobile accident. He is currently in stable condition but remains hospitalized. We're sending him all our prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery!  Get well soon... 

    Shihan Demura traveled to Malaga, Spain to present a series of Karate and Kobudo seminars. 

    Congratulations to Senpai Bernardo Garcia from everyone at Genbu-Kai. The 2008 Fransisco “Paco” Camarena Memorial Award for an outstanding European Genbu-Kai martial arts student was presented to Bernardo Garcia of the Genbu-Kai Kuro-Obi dojo in Spain. Congratulations and a heartfelt well done to Senpai Bernardo Garcia!   

    Welcome and congratulations to Julio Fernando Rosa and the newest Genbu-Kai member dojo in beautiful Naples, Florida. We look forward to meeting you at upcoming Genbu-Kai events. For Naples Florida Genbu-Kai class information call (239) 455-5454.

    Shihan Fumio Demura has been inducted into the American Karate Association Martial Arts Hall of Fame, for a lifetime of "Exceptional character, outstanding contributions and inspiring service to the martial arts."  Congratulations Sensei!

    Shihan Fumio Demura traveled to Columbus, Ohio to participate in the Arnold (Schwarzenegger) Martial Arts Festival. The festival is a three day event and was attended by over 100,000 people.  While there Sensei presented an advanced Karate seminar and received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his numerous and ongoing contributions to the Martial Arts. Congratulations to Sensei Demura!

    Genbu-Kai Colorado students competed on March 1st in the USKA Colorado State Karate Championship held in Eagle, CO.  Senpai Damon Pace (center) took 3rd place in the Mens Blackbelt Kata division by performing Kusanku-Dai.  Marieke Douglas (left) took 3rd place in Kata and Kumite.  Domino Douglas (right) took 3rd place in Kumite and also competed in Kata and Kobudo winning 2 additional medals. This event was a qualifier for the USKA National Championships Karate Tournament on March 29th in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Congratulations to each of you!

   Genbu-Kai students from around the globe arrived in sunny Costa Mesa, California for the 37th Annual Goodwill Karate Championships. The event was preceded by a nearly week long series of special classes, competitions seminars, and cultural events.  

    Shihan Demura presents a high level meeting with Sawabe Sensei and the Yudansha-Kai (Black Belt Instructors) in the Auditorium at Costa Mesa High School in Costa Mesa, California USA.  

    From 2:00pm until 5:00pm on Saturday the Batto component of the 37th Annual International Goodwill Championships was held in the main gym at CMHS in Costa Mesa, Ca. The event included beginner and advanced levels of Batto Kata, cutting and team cutting.

    Saturday afternoon from 1:00pm until 2:00pm Sensei Demura led a Karate-Do seminar in the main gym at Costa Mesa high school. The fast paced seminar covered advanced and very useful karate techniques. Anyone that didn't attend this event, missed out on something special.

    On Saturday morning from 9:00am until noon at the main gymnasium at CMHS the Kobudo component of  the 37th Annual International Goodwill Championships was held. There was a lot of action and spectators and competitors alike were commenting on how exciting it was and how much fun they were having.  Thank you Sensei Demura for another great classic martial arts event.

    The final event on Friday from 6:30pm until 8:30pm was a Kata seminar open to all Genbu-Kai adult and junior students. Everyone had the opportunity to learn a new Kata or to improve the Kata they were working on.  There were so many students in attendance that it was necessary to spread out into both gymnasiums.

    Shihan Fumio Demura and Master Kazuhiko Hosaka presented a well attended Batto seminar teaching the Batto Katas and techniques of the Toyama Ryu Preservation Society.

    Sensei Demura taught a wonderful Kobudo seminar from 3:00pm until 4:00pm on Friday in the small gym at Costa Mesa high school. The weapons taught included Bo, Eku Bo, Kama, Tonfa, Sai and the Nunchaku.

Genbu-Kai International Dan Testing

February 22nd, 2008

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    Led by Senpai Dave Hines, Genbu-Kai held a referee seminar in the small gym at CMHS from 10:00am until 2:00pm on Friday. The event was attended by high ranking students for a review of the rules for the upcoming tournament. Intermediate students competed in a mock tournament for practice and gave the referees the opportunity to practice ring administration at the same time.   

    Friday morning Genbu-Kai members assembled at the Santa Ana {Hombu) dojo to participate in the Mochitsuki festivities.  Everyone (even the juniors) helped pound the rice and then everyone had the opportunity to sample some Mochi.

    Mochitsuki: Is a Japanese custom fundamental to the Japanese culture. Mochitsuki means, making Mochi (sweet rice cakes.) Most secular Japanese and almost all Japanese religious groups, (Buddhist, Shinto and even some Christian) have a rice cake making event near the end of the year. Many Japanese schedule their Mochitsuki events at the third day before the New Year. Mochitsuki is a community event, allowing young and old to socialize together, and have fun in a community project. In Modern Japan most people consider Mochitsuki, an ethnic secular custom without a specific religious significance.

    Folklore: Mochi, In Japanese meaning, "Full Moon". It is believed that "the ardent observer will perceive that on the moon there lives a hare, who is constantly preparing Mochi!"

    History: In ancient Japan, rice was a special, valuable food used only for special occasions and holidays. Samurai warriors traditionally prepared special food (rice cakes) before battle.

    Thursday evening from 6:00pm until 9:00pm Sensei Demura and Sensei Sawabe presented an advanced Kata seminar for Genbu-Kai students of Sho-Dan and higher rank. The well attended event was held in the main gymnasium at Costa Mesa High School in Costa Mesa, Ca. USA.