SEIKEN KARATE ACADEMY

A one day exclusive kobudo training seminar conducted by reknown okinawan karate & kobudo master, Jamal Measara Kyoshi, 7th Dan.

Jamal Measara Kyoshi heads the European Shorin-ryu Seibukan Karate-do and also European Okinawan Kobudo Kyokai.

from www.shorin-ryu.org :

Kobudo is the art of handling traditional weapons such a...s a staff, Sai forks or a Tonfa.

Kobudo literally means "old martial art" and was developed in the 15th century in Okinawa (Japan). It is a way of fighting with what used to be tools of the simple people, such as peasants, fishermen and craftsmen. Kobudo originates in the Ryu islands, the biggest one of which is Okinawa. Kobudo weapons were mentioned for the first time in the year 1243 in an soldier's military report. During the Japanese occupation, the inhabitants of the Ryu islands had to pay high taxes and were not allowed to wear conventional weapons.

This was the beginning of KOBUJUTSU ("old weapon art", precursor of Kobudo), since objects and tools of everyday's life could not be considered as weapons and therefore could not be forbidden. In the 19th century when Japan underwent social upheaval, the martial background of Kobudo slowly became forgotten. JUTSU (art) was replaced by DO (way).

This martial art was trained and developed under extreme secrecy and was passed on often only within the family. This veil of secrecy was only to be lifted in the middle of the 20th century. Since Okinawan Kobudo does not include combat fighting or sports competitions, it has preserved it's character as a traditional and unadulerated martial art.

Today's Kokusai Okinawa Kobudo Kyokai, under the present leadership of Sensei Kanei Hitoshi, son of the legendary Kanei Katsuyoshi, has the aim to preserve and spread this traditional and unadulerated Kobudo, just as it was developed and taught by the old masters.

Kanei Katsuyoshi is the founder of Jinbukan Okinawa Kobudo. Measara has trained for many years under Kanei Katsuyoshi and now teaches it in his own schools.

Jinbukan Okinawan Kobudo Emblem Translation:

Kanei Katsuyoshi created the emblem with: The Sun - owner of the universe, The Fist - universal sign of Karate, and The Noble White Crane, of Beauty and Happiness.

He placed the Fist in the center of the Sun and encirled it with the wings of the Noble White Crane for the accentuation of Harmony. This to express his thoughts that Truth, Affection, Harmony, and Development through the study of Karate / Kobudo to obtain our true nature and to form a Humanity able to live with greatness and dignity, not bothering to others, without falling into vices, not flattering to the authorities, nor be driven crazy chasing treasure. Read more