June 2008 - Kuniba Kai International

Kuniba Kai International
Newsletter
Carrying on the traditions of Shogo Kuniba:
Motobu-Ha, Kuniba-Ha, and Kuniba-Ryu
June 2008 Volume II, Issue 2
Executive Advisory Board Profile – Kyoshi Lewis Estes
Lewis Estes began his martial arts journey in 1982, initially as a
student at the SKKU-USA Hombu Dojo in Chesapeake, VA before
transferring to the new Hombu Dojo opened by Soke Shogo Kuniba in
Portsmouth, VA in 1983. As a direct student of Soke Shogo Kuniba from
1983-1992, Lewis was exposed to the best training possible in Motobu-Ha
Shito-Ryu Karate-Do, Kobudo, and Iaido; he was in on the founding of
Goshin Do. Lewis’ Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan came directly from Shogo
Kuniba, and after the death of Kuniba-Soke, Lewis was promoted to Yondan
by Daiko Bill Price.
While in Japan in 1996, Lewis tested for and was promoted to Godan
by Soke Kunio Tatsuno and Soke Teruo Hayashi. This was witnessed by
many Shihan of Seishin-Kai, including James Herndon and Darren Myers.
In 2001, Lewis Estes was awarded his Shihan title by Soke Kozo Kuniba.
He was subsequently promoted to Rokudan/Renshi (2004) and
Nanadan/Kyoshi (2007) by Kuniba Kai. Kyoshi Estes serves as the USA
Technical Honbucho and is a member of the Executive Advisory Board of
Kuniba Kai International.
Kyoshi Lewis Estes
Teaching Iaido at NC Clinic
(2008)
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Naples (FL) Clinic – Follow-Up
The photo below was received after last quarter’s newsletter was
distributed. However, we wanted to include it this time to show the former
Hayashi-Ha students at the clinic conducted by Kyoshi Darren Myers
(standing, rear far right) in Naples, Florida on February 5, 2008. Thanks to
Sensei Mig. Fernandez (standing, rear far left) for the photo.
Naples Clinic
All current and former Hayashi-Ha followers are like budo cousins to
Kuniba Kai members, as Teruo Hayashi was a student of Kosei Kokuba and
Shogo Kuniba. Kozo Kuniba refers to Hayashi-Sensei as his “second papa.”
He (Kozo) told us of times when Hayashi-Sensei would take him (tucked in
his Gi top) to the park for training. He also said that Hayashi-Sensei would
tie him (Kozo) to a tree while training. What would DCF say about that
practice today? Ah, the way it used to be done in the good old days.
On another note, thanks go to Sensei Fernandez for digitally recording
the two Florida clinics in February. Once all the editing is done, this CD
should be available for distribution. The initial edit looked very good.
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Eien Naru Budo
In the mid-1980s, a movie aired on Cinemax that was called “Budo:
The Art of Killing.” This was not a good rendering of Eien Naru Budo, an
excellent documentary featuring Shogo Kuniba and Teruo Hayashi. After a
long search, the movie has been found in DVD format. It is available from
the following web link: http://www.chuobudogu.com/en/quest/quest4.html
SPD-1905
EIEN NARU BUDO | The Eternal Martial Arts
SPD-1905 / 91min / 5,880yen / 5,600yen / color / STEREO / ALL
JAN49471125619059 ISBN4-87389-540-5 C3875 Y5600E
This movie would make an excellent addition to any collection,
especially to those that highlight the contribution of Shogo Kuniba and
Teruo Hayashi to the development of Shito-Ryu Karate-Do and Kobudo.
The Editor recommends this video to you.
Shihan Anthony Sydney
Reported by Sharon Grell*
Congratulations to Shihan Anthony Sydney on his re-election to the
position of President, Trinidad and Tobago Karate Union (TKKU) for a
second term. The TKKU, affiliated with the World Karate Federation
(WKF), has made much progress under his leadership in the first year. As
an affiliate of Kuniba Kai International, Shihan Sydney is wished much
success in his future efforts to organize karate in Trinidad and Tobago.
* General Secretary, Trinidad and Tobago Karate Federation (TKKF), member World
Union of Karate-Do Organizations (WUKO).
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Soke Visits Okinawan Landmark
In April this year, Soke Kozo Kuniba traveled to Okinawa. While
there, he took the opportunity to strike a pose in front of the world-famous
Shurei no Mon. Great poster, huh! Get your autographed copy now.
This is what Wikipedia says about Shurei no Mon:
Shureimon (守礼門) (or Shurei no mon) is a gate in the Shuri neighborhood
of Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It is the second of Shuri
Castle's main gates. It was built in the 16th century.
The gate reflects strong Chinese influence, alongside indigenous religious
traditions. The four Chinese characters framed on the gate - Shu, rei, no, and
kuni, which mean 'Land of Propriety' - were added to the gate long after it was
built. The structure of the gate is similar to that of Chinese three-bay turret
gates, and is covered with a red hip-and-gable tiled roof.
The main columns are 7.94 meters apart. The top layer of the gate is 7.05
meters high, and the lower layer 5.11 meters. The 4 pillars stand on
foundation stones, and they are supported on front and back by slanting
accessory pillars for better stability.
The gate was destroyed during the Second World War and reconstructed
through local campaigns and support in the 1950's-60's. It was thus the first
part of the Shuri Castle that was reconstructed, although decades would
follow until the rest of the castle was restored as well.
A picture of the gate appears on the Japanese 2,000 yen note, released in
2000 in commemoration of the 26th G8 summit in Okinawa.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shurei_no_Mon
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Israel Instructor Clinic
Reported by Shihan-Dai Eran Bernstein
A National clinic was held in Neourim Village, near Tel Aviv, Israel
in April 2008. Shihan-Dai Eran Bernstein conducted a special instructors’
class, and about 15 dojo head instructors attended. The class focused on
“how we teach in Kuniba Kai” with attention to kihon and ethics. All
instructors of Kuniba Kai Israel are certified by the government, according
to law.
Photo identifications and notations provided by Shihan-Dai Bernstein - Right to Left:
Dany Zemah =Macabim Dojo (Sempai)
Moshe Riany = "
Nimrod Nir =Kiryat Uno (new Dojo)Instructor
Sarit Trahtman =Migdal Haemek Dojo Instructor (Female)
Natalia Fromatchenko =Savion/Tel Aviv Dojo Instructor (Female)
Guy Sapiro =Raanana+Ramat-Gan Dojo Instructor
Dudu Elkayam =Kibuz Hsolelim+Beit Sharim Dojo Instructor
Eran Bernstein =Honbucho=Nazareth Hombu Dojo
Rami Gezawi =Kalansawa Dojo Instructor
Itai Nir =Savion/Tel Aviv Dojo Instructor
Sabrina Skidelsky =Timrat Dojo Instructor(Female)
Zeev Eydelin =New Dojo from Jerusalem
Alexs Gronovitch =Modiin Dojo Sempai
Yehuda Turgeman = "
Regev Landau =Savion/Tel Aviv Dojo Sempai
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San Diego Sojourn
At the request of Sensei Paul Dal, Kyoshi James Herndon visited San
Diego, CA to re-connect after 20+ years. Paul Dal was a student at The
Dojo (Kensei-Kan) while he was a sailor stationed in Norfolk, VA, training
under Herndon-Sensei in the mid 1980s. After attaining green belt, Paul left
the area and settled in San Diego. He trained for a while under Minobu Miki,
then the opportunity came to go to Japan. Paul lived in the Osaka/Kyoto
area from 1988-1993 and met and studied under Soke Teruo Hayashi.
Teaching English in Japan exposed Paul to the Japanese language, and he
soon became an interpreter for Hayashi-Soke. Paul also formally studied
Shodo (the way of the brush/calligraphy) and Iaido. He was a member of
the Doshisha University karate team.
When Paul returned to San Diego, he opened a dojo. Today, his
Kiyomizukan Dojo is thriving with about 250 students who attend classes at
the main dojo as well as several outlying cites (recreation centers and
YMCA). Paul and Sempai Janine teach in several after-school programs.
Sensei Paul Dal (standing far right)
with Kyoshi Herndon and students
Dojo website: www.sandiegohayashikarate.com
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Training in Guatemala
These are photographs of karate practice at dojo in Guatemala City.
Sensei Juan Carlos Valdez, a direct student of Kyoshi Yovany Aguero in
Venezuela, sent in the pictures. There are two Kuniba Kai dojo in
Guatemala. Very clean and organized! Note: Soke’s picture on wall under
fan.
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1988 Paris Universaides - Revisited
by Judy Kuniba
June 2008 marks the 20 th anniversary of the Universaides held in Paris,
France at the University of Paris. The event, a week of martial arts training
with Soke Shogo Kuniba and finished with an adult, black belt only
tournament, was sponsored by Shihan Patrick Tamburini. Shihan Tamburini
was the European/African/Middle Eastern representative for Seishin Kai
Martial Arts and Soke Shogo Kuniba from 1985 until his death in 1995,
three years after the death of Soke Kuniba. His loosely bound organization
was known as the Union Nationale des Associations et Amicales de Karate
and members were found in almost every European, African and Middle
Eastern country where karate is practiced. Members practiced various styles
of Karate and all were eager to learn the Goshin-Do techniques taught by
Soke Shogo Kuniba. Shihan Tamburini put together the Universaides as a
way to introduce Soke Kuniba to more of Europe; therefore he invited
members from every country in his organization to attend. Over 400 students,
mostly dan ranks, attended from 21 countries, including Japan, USA,
Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Isle of Man, South Africa, Syria, Iran,
Israel, France, Italy, Belgium, etc. As you may have noticed, many of these
students were from countries where wars rage across borders all the time and
hatreds are centuries old. However, for this week in Paris (June 1988), those
hatreds were put aside and everyone worked together, laughed together, and
groaned together over sore muscles and blistered feet. The common
language was the Japanese of Karate. It was an awesome experience not
easily forgotten.
Kozo, Kosho (Shogo) & Kosuke Kuniba
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Two training sessions were held during the day and one at night. Soke
Shogo Kuniba had brought with him his second son Shihan Kozo and
Sempai Lewis Estes from the USA Hombu Dojo. Since there were over 400
students in attendance, most of whom were not acquainted with Soke
Kuniba or his techniques of Goshin-Do, he needed help to give the students
a fair chance to learn. On Wednesday nights at the USA Hombu Dojo there
was a Black Belt class and the members had named themselves “the Soke
Assistants Club”. Their purpose was to help Soke with teaching large groups.
Shihan Kozo and Sempai Estes, two valuable members of the “club” stepped
up to help Soke Kuniba teach those 400 people and did a fantastic job. It was
Shihan Kozo’s (now Soke Kuniba) first time to teach such a large group
with his father, who was pleased with both his son and Sempai Estes.
At the end of the week, there was a tournament for adult dan ranks.
Shihan Kozo Kuniba entered in the double elimination kata competition. His
older brother Shihan Kosuke, a licensed JKF referee, was one of the judges.
It is a credit to the JKF system that referees are so well trained that they can
judge without showing favoritism. However, Soke Shogo Kuniba did not
want a hint of favoritism shown toward his younger son and instructed the
older son to vote against his brother in the double elimination! Competitors
were allowed to do different kata for each round if they could. The
remarkable thing about Shihan Kozo’s performance was that he did a
different dan level kata each time with perfect precision and won the
competition, beating the standing European Federation Champion. His father
was extremely proud, but the younger brother was furious that his brother
the judge consistently ruled against him. All worked out, however.
Kozo Kuniba, Shogo Kuniba, Patrick Tamburini
For me as an observer, the magic of the week was the power of the
martial arts to bring together so many different people and cultures. They all
worked together and had a great time. The excitement in the room was a
tangible thing. Shihan Tamburini was a great organizer and Soke Shogo
Kuniba was a gifted teacher. Together they made a remarkable team and
created a memorable experience for all present!
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New Dojo in New York
Sensei German Ramos proudly announces the grand opening of a new
dojo in New York. He operates two dojo in the state; addresses are provided
in the poster below. Congratulations to Sensei Ramos, and best wishes for
success.
See clinic announcement in Upcoming Worldwide Events below.
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Shihan, Hanshi and Related Concepts
By Shihan James Herndon, Kyoshi
Time and again, I see evidence suggesting that the two martial arts
terms Shihan and Hanshi have been misused and/or confused. Let me
distinguish between the two, and in so doing clear up some common
misconceptions.
First Shihan: the kanji below can be translated as someone (Shi, a
teacher) who sets an example or model (Han). Some think Shihan means
“Master.” That’s not quite so. Teaching Model would be more like it; or,
perhaps a model teacher would be a better translation.
Shihan
In many martial arts systems, the title of Shihan is conferred upon
senior instructors of at least Godan (5 th Degree Black Belt) rank. A Nintei-
Sho (certificate of recognition) usually certifies this distinction, as opposed
to a Menjo (diploma). But, Shihan is not automatic upon attainment of rank.
Menjo Nintei-Sho
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Hanshi, as can be seen directly below, is made up of slightly different
characters or arrangements. Han is the same as above; but, Shi is not. In
this case, Shi means a man/person. So, a Hanshi is a model or exemplary
person, usually of high attainment. “Master” makes more sense here.
Hanshi
Hanshi are much rarer than Shihan. It might be fair to say that all
Hanshi are likely to be Shihan; but, not all Shihan are Hanshi.
Extending the notion of levels of attainment, modern Budo tends to
differentiate distinctions as follows: Kenshi (at least 4/5 Dan), Renshi (at
least 5/6 Dan); Kyoshi (at least 6/7 Dan), and Hanshi (at least 8 Dan).
Typically, such titles come with advanced age and years of dedicated
experience. You should not expect to see someone in their 20’s or 30’s with
such a title. Kanji for the three others is shown below.
Kenshi Renshi Kyoshi
“Practitioner” “Trainer” “Teacher”
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The Shi kanji so important in Kenshi, Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi is
also seen in the well-known term Bushi, meaning warrior (some say
Samurai). In this sense, the Bushi is a man of war or warfare; a man of
martial spirit.
Bushi
From the above is also derived Bushido, the way of the warrior. The
code of the Samurai, as it is also known, is integral to all martial arts. It is
the philosophical core of the Kenshi, Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi who give
their lives to the pursuit of self-development through martial prowess.
Bushido
The next time you hear someone misuse any of these Shi-related
concepts, set them straight. It matters. Tell them to get their “Shi” straight!
[All Kanji from the Fude of Soke Shogo Kuniba, c. 1980]
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Upcoming Worldwide Events
2008
Date Event Note
Jun 5-8 European Summer Camp
Sweden
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Contact: Shihan Johan Backteman
johan.backteman@umea.se
Jun 19 15 th Kuniba-Kai Israel Tournament Contact: Shihan-Dai Eran Bernstein
bereran@netvision.net.il
Jun 21 New York Clinic Contact: Sensei German Ramos
karate@sprintpcs.com
Jun 27-29 International Summer Camp
Virginia, USA
Oct 4-5 Florida Special Clinics
(Altamonte Springs & Ocala)
Oct 10-11 Venezuela Tournament
http://www.copasolintexkaratedo.com/
2009
Contact: Kyoshi Darren Myers
budoka@cox.net
Contact: Kyoshi James Herndon
kunibaha@gmail.com
Contact: Kyoshi Yovany Aguero
nintai@cantv.net
Date Event Contact
Jun International Meeting in Osaka Contact: Soke Kozo Kuniba
kozo.kuniba@s4.dion.ne.jp
[Please send corrections and additions to Information Director]
Next Newsletter
Submit news items and other information now for next Newsletter,
which will be released early September. Deadline August 15, 2008.
Each issue, we’d like to highlight members and dojo from around the
world. So, along with information updates and articles, please send digital
photographs of camps, clinics, tournaments and promotions. This is your
newsletter, so please contribute news and information frequently.

Invitation to Join Kuniba Kai
If you are a practitioner of Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu, you are invited to
join Kuniba Kai. The Japan Karate-Do Federation (JKF)* has recognized
only Kuniba Kai as the organization authorized to teach Motobu-Ha Shito-
Ryu Karate-Do, the style of the Kuniba family. No other claims to the style
can be substantiated. From Soke Kosei Kokuba (Kuniba), through Soke
Kosho (Shogo) Kuniba, to Soke Kozo Kuniba, the style continues to evolve.
Keep current and in the mainstream by joining Kuniba Kai. Be part of the
new history.
Contact the Information Director for further details.
*Website for Japan Karate-Do Federation (JKF):
http://www.karatedo.co.jp/jkf/jkf-eng/e_index.htm
Kuniba Kai International Newsletter, June 2008, Volume II, Issue 2
Editor: Kyoshi James Herndon, Ph.D., Ed.D.
International Information Director
johokyokucho@gmail.com
Kuniba Kai International
www.kunibakai.org
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