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Shoreikan came to Canada in
1972
and Langley in
1981
The Islands
of Okinawa once an independent kingdom and now a part of
modern Japan, is where karate was born. Forbidden
weapons by their overlords in the sixteenth century, the
people of Okinawa combined ancient indigenous and
Chinese self-defense techniques into what has become
modern karate and kabudo. Karate literally means "empty
hand" and is a means of self defense with the use of blocks, counter punches, kicks, grabs and a
variety of other techniques to defend yourself. Kabudo is a sister Okinawa martial art in which implements that were the daily farming tools of
ancient times are used for self-defense.
Shorei Kan
"House of Politeness and Respect" a
karate school which practices "Goju-Ryu" karate, emerges
from ancient roots. During the last century great masters past their
teaching in a direct line to the Shorei Kan practitioners of today. Our
modern lineage can be traced directly from Kanryo Higashionna (1840 - 1910)
to Chojun Miyagi (1888 - 1953) to Seikichi Toguchi (1917 - 1998) and to Tomoaki Koyabu who brought Shorei Kan to Canada in 1972 at the request of
Master Toguchi.
Seikichi Toguchi
the founder of Shorei
Kan, was born in Naha City, Okinawa, Japan. He began to learn karate from
his father at age 15. Toguchi also trained under Higa Seiko and Master Chojun Miyagi. Toguchi Sensei was the first of Miyagi Sensei's
senior students to establish a new school after Miyagi Sensei’s death.
Toguchi Sensei moved to Tokyo Japan in 1960 and in 1962 established
Shorei-Kai Dojo. "Kai" means association and from
it came the title "Kaicho". Toguchi Sensei and his very gracious wife, came to Canada
several times, the last time being in 1993.
Tomoaki Koyabu
is a native of Japan,
was originally destined to go to New York City and take Shorei Kan to the
U.S.A. However, circumstances brought him to Vancouver in 1972 and shortly
after Shorei Kan was established in Canada.
Koyabu Sensei
has a warm place in our hearts. Not only is Sensei
a incredible martial artists, but he is also a
very warm and caring human being who takes so little and
gives so much. We thank Koyabu Sensei for bringing us
Shorei Kan and for dedicating his life to Shorei Kan
Canada. We will always demonstrate our respect, appreciation, admiration, friendship
and affection. Thank you Sensei for the gift of Shorei-Kan Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Do. Koyabu
Sensei is still teaching at our Dojos today.
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