Genbu-Kai members are in recovery after surgery. Jose Luis Sanchez (Malaga, Spain) had hip surgery on February 15^th. Frank Almeida (Riverside, Ca.) and Jim Eyre (Santa Ana, Ca.) had their surgeries in January. All are reported as being busy recovering. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you, get well soon!

Genbu-Kai Kansas

February 9^th, 2008

    Congratulations to black belt Mike Walker of Genbu-Kai Kansas, USA on his recent nuptials and to his beautiful new bride Erika!  Please accept our most sincere wishes for long life and happiness…

Photo Link

    2008 photo's of Genbu-Kai Chile instructors and students at the New Years celebration, observing Kangeiko and performing Osoji. 

    Makoto Ibushi passed away during the night of Tuesday, January 15, 2008, from colon cancer, at only 52 years of age. He is survived by a daughter. In the days before his passing, Makoto had called many of his friends to say good-bye, as he felt his time was approaching.  Many people visited him in his last few days, and Sensei Demura was able to see and talk to Makoto on Tuesday evening, just a few hours before he passed away.  Many Genbu-Kai students remember training with Makoto. He will be missed.

    Genbu-Kai students began arriving at 0530 in the morning at Huntington Beach for the annual California Kangeiko (Cold Weather Training). It began long before daylight. Led by Shihan Demura students worked out near and in the cold surf while the sun slowly rose behind heavy overcast. When the workout was over everyone went to the fire pits and warmed up with Hot Cocoa. Thank you Sensei for another classic martial arts event!    

    Genbu-Kai students spent most of the day in the Santa Ana (Hombu) Dojo observing the annual “Osoji” tradition by cleaning and performing maintenance and general repairs.  A well maintained dojo is a safer place to learn. Osoji gives Karate students the opportunity to work together with each other, make friends and give something back to the Dojo.  Thanks very much to all of this years participants.

    Genbu-Kai students in Catalunya (Spain) dojo observing the annual osoji tradition.

    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.  While the mochi was being prepared, spectators and volunteers snacked on baked sweet potatoes and later delicious onion soup.

    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.

    The Santa Ana dojo was packed to the limit with Genbu-Kai junior students and their families celebrating.  There was very special "Live Entertainment" as students danced, sang and played musical instruments in the "Genbu-Kai Idol" game.  Then the audience chose the winners.  The event was followed by the traditional buffet banquet.  With a wide variety of food and assorted desserts.  At the end of the evening the students presented Shihan Demura with a Christmas gift consisting of back and foot massage machines.  Thank you Sensei for a very enjoyable party!      

    Sensei Fernando Soto Lamas and students from Viña del Mar, Chile traveled to two other Genbu-Kai dojos in Chile over the weekend. They traveled to the Genbu-Kai Puerto Natales, Chile dojo for a visit and training. They also traveled to what may be the most remote Genbu-Kai dojo in the world at Punta Arenas, Chile for a visit and training. Described as the most extreme city in the world (Austral, Chile). It’s located at the tip of South America only two thousand kilometers from Antarctica. (I will never be cold at a California Kangeiko again!)  Click on the link below for photo’s and detailed news.

    Sensei Demura traveled to Japan accompanied by Senpai Leo Nakamura and Senpai Susan McGlynn December sixth through the fourteenth 2007.  While there they attended the All Japan Karate-Do Championship in Tokyo and ended up meeting with Shihan Sawabe in Osaka. During the time in between Sensei Demura took Leo and Susan on tour to Kyoto, Nikko, Kamakura, Odawara, Asakusa and the Imperial Palace. They also found time to train with Sensei Hosaka in Gunma and Sensei Mochizuki in Fuji.  It sounded like an interesting and exciting trip!

    On December 1^st and 2^nd 2007 Shihan Demura traveled to Barcelona, Spain to celebrate the Grand Opening of a new Genbu-Kai dojo led by Sensei Jose Duque.  Shihan Demura also presented Karate-Do and Kobu-Do seminars in "St. Sadurni d' Anoia" deep in the beautiful wine country. Genbu-Kai students attending from all over Europe included from Germany (Andreas Ploger), England (Julian Mallalieu and his students), France (Jean Marques) and from Malaga (Roman Westfehling and many other students). In addition to Sensei Demura’s energetic seminars he also took the opportunity to reinforce the meaning of our “Dojo-Kun”, make corrections to Katas and to oversee the Shodan testing. Thanks Sensei for another terrific event.