NASA reports that the 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Chile on Feb. 27 was so powerful it may have changed the Earth's axis and permanently shortened the length of a day.  There was massive loss of life and destruction in Chile, but Fernando Soto Lamas said that the Genbu-Kai family members there are all safe after the quake.  He described the shaking as, “very, very strong.”  He also said the electricity had been off for a few days and that they were "lucky."  

    On February 27^th Genbu-Kai Shodan Dumar Cubilla Sr. introduced the newest member of the Genbu-Kai family, Dumar Cubilla Junior. Congratulations to the proud parents! 

    The 39^th Annual Goodwill International Karate-Do Championships, presented by Shihan Fumio Demura and Genbu-Kai, were held in Costa Mesa, California at the Costa Mesa High School main gymnasium.  Click on the links below for photo’s and results.

    Sensei Demura gave everyone a treat by performing a special demonstration of Karate techniques as part of the opening ceremonies of the 39^th International Goodwill Karate-do Championships.   Other wonderful demonstrations included Taiko Drums and Iai-do and Batto-Do.  Click on the link below for photo’s.

    Tonight, Sensei Demura celebrated the 45^th anniversary of “Teaching Karate in the United States” with a gala banquet at the City of Costa Mesa downtown Center.   Congratulations Sensei!

    Today at the Santa Ana dojo, Shihan Demura and members of the Genbu-Kai family celebrated traditional Mochitsuki (Rice Pounding).  First the rice is steamed (in a 100+ year old steamer) then the steamed rice is poured into a large stone bowl and pounded with large wooded hammers until it reaches a thick doughy consistency.  The "dough" is broken into small portions an rolled up into balls and finally coated with sweet flour.

    Sensei told us that these pounded rice cakes were made by Samurai warriors before battle.  Sensei also explained that this traditional practice has been almost entirely lost in Japan with most mochi now being made by machine.  Thank you Sensei for maintaining this tradition.  

    Hundreds of advanced Genbu-Kai Students arrived at the C.M.H.S. second gymnasium in Costa Mesa, California for the Genbu-Kai Advanced (Black Belts Only)  Karate Seminar Thursday evening.  This premier event was led by Sensei Demura along with Sawabe Sensei.   

    Tragic news has arrived from Chile, the accidental drowning of a 10 year old Genbu-Kai student, Hernan Orlando Hernandez Martinez.  His mother said, “Hernan was happy doing karate in the dojo.”  Shihan Demura has promoted him to Honorary Jr. Sho-Dan (Red Belt) and the family has decided to bury Hernan in his Gi.

Kangeiko (Cold Weather Training)

    Genbu-Kai students assembled in Huntington Beach before sunrise on the first Sunday of the year to participate in Kangeiko (cold weather training).  Exercises included warm-ups, basics and Kata training.  Students trained on the beach through a beautiful sunrise.  What a wonderful tradition with which to begin the New Year!