1 2 3 Calligraphy by Tsutomu Ohshima: “Filial piety"

4 Congratulations on the Fiftieth Anniversary of Maryknoll Club!

Most members of the club know the story of how we started to practice karate at Maryknoll.

One day in 1963, John Teramoto asked me, “I heard that you know martial arts, can you teach us?”

I answered, “No!”

John asked, “Why not?”

“I know you guys will quit right after you start”.

John replied, “We won’t quit.”

I said, “No” to him two more times.

The third time John brought petitions with signatures by the students’ parents asking me to teach them.

I said, ‘OK!’

I never thought you would continue to practice hard for 50 years. When I was teaching Japanese at Maryknoll, I wanted to see all my students become confident Japanese-Americans. But I realized that Nisei and Sansei still had traditional Japanese virtues in their hearts and that they truly loved and respected their parents.

In the 1970s I asked you to accept responsibility for the Nisei Week Karate Exhibition. Sensei performing Hangetsu (2000) Since then, you have continued to conduct the Nisei Week Karate Exhibition every year. It is the oldest annual exhibition of Karate outside of Japan.

I am proud of you who have, through the last 50 years of hard traditional martial arts practice, built and sustained the Samurai spirit in the United States of America. I would like to express my deep appreciation to Sister Bernadette, Father McKillop, Father Witte, Father Richard Hoynes, the Maryknoll Brothers and Sisters and your parents who supported us for all of these years.

Sincerely yours, Tsutomu Ohshima.

Sensei instructing Paul Tabe

5 It all started with about sixty boys from the sixth through the years. Senior members volunteer their time and efforts; hard work and self-sacrifice eighth grades sitting on folding chairs in the back of the characterize the spirit of the dojo’s senior and junior members alike. Fifty years is indeed Maryknoll auditorium as Ohshima Sensei talked about a milestone; but it is only a marker on a very long road. Today’s occasion is momentous; karate. He explained that the purpose of karate practice but it is already a part of the past. I hope as we continue to deepen our appreciation was to polish ourselves as human beings and that it was for all that made today possible we constantly remind ourselves of the future that lies not just for fighting. Sensei stressed that if we used what ahead. We must dedicate ourselves to passing this tradition on to coming generations. he taught us for street fighting he would give us “a punch on the nose” and kick us out! Thus began our instruction Sincerely, in Budo. I saw some disappointed looks. He said most John Teramoto of us would quit before long and that perhaps only six or seven boys would remain. I believed he was wrong and that most would continue; but, of course, he was right.

It took a long time for me and my schoolmates to realize just how fortunate we were and how fateful it was to meet Mr. Ohshima. I can honestly say, though, that even when we were quite young we never took Sensei and what he taught us for granted. It is heartening, as I look back, to see that we never outgrew that instruction. Instead our understanding and appreciation of the art has continued to deepen as we mature. I am sure that everyone who practiced — including those who were unable to continue — will agree that the instruction we received from the very beginning was of the highest quality and integrity. In trying to instill in us the key principle of training hard while facing ourselves strictly and honestly inside and outside the dojo, Ohshima Sensei not only gave us his precious time, he taught us—and thankfully still continues to do so—to see the spiritual relevance and physical benefit of karate practice to our lives.

Of course, the dojo exists today because of those who never quit practicing — stubbornness is a positive quality in Budo. But something begun by elementary and high school students would not have survived without the support of parents and other relatives who put up with our schedules, chauffeured us, and helped in so many other ways to make our practice possible. We also owe a great debt to the school teachers and especially the pastors and priests from Fr. Michael McKillop, Fr. Clarence Witte down to Fr. Richard Hoynes who made the facilities available to us and who have endured our loud practices over the years.

We are especially thankful for Fr. McKillop, who supported the founding of the club, John Teramoto leading Heian Shodan at Nisei Week (1971) and for Sr. Bernadette, who would not accept Mr. Ohshima’s refusal to come teach at Maryknoll School. And, of course, we will always be grateful to Mr. Sadaharu Honda, Mr. Yasunori Ono, Mr. James Sagawa and the late Mr. Shoji Okabe, who trained us rigorously in the early years of our club when Mr. Ohshima was out of town.

Happily, we are not just commemorating the founding of the karate club. We are also celebrating the fact that the dojo is vigorously entering its fiftieth year. Many of the men and women here today have been crucial to sustaining practice over

6 7 clearly the small exceptions to the amazing consistency, the genuine genius of practice, Maryknoll Karate After Fifty Years: and how it has been passed on to us by Sensei. Whenever I returned to practice after a (How) Have We Changed? long absence I was never caught completely off guard, just very sore and tired. Certain individuals’ belts would change, but the practice would always greet me like a long lost I am very honored and privileged to offer this letter. I am friend, ever willing to take up where we left off. an original member, but I have not practiced in all of the fifty years. I could not even tell you how many of these Ohshima Sensei to Tad to Kei and José to James and Frank: a perfect flow chart many years I did actually practice. that has endured and allowed us to flourish for fifty years, the result of commitment and dedication of the purest, most honest kind. To be a part of this is a great fortune, This very regrettable actuality, nonetheless, has given me something precious like a diamond, something akin to family and blood. a somewhat unique perspective of our Maryknoll Karate Club. I have been struck by how practice has changed, how it has evolved over fifty years. But more importantly, I see how it has stayed the same--exactly the same. We still line up the same; mokuso and rei, then kihon, kata, and kumite like there’s no tomorrow!

Yes, I was there when Maryknoll Karate Club had sixty white belts and there was only one godan in SKA (actually, at that time, I think it was called Southern California Karate Association), and we all called him Sensei. I had no idea that it would still be here fifty years later. At that time I thought it was about the coolest thing in my life, but I discovered cars, guitars, and girls, and well, I lost my way momentarily, off and on…

In that original group of sixty, only Tad (John) had the vision, the awareness, of what we could learn from Sensei. Even as a few of us senior members (as teenagers) progressed to brown belt, only Tad seemed to be really grasping what practice was all about, as if he had mysteriously grown far beyond the rest of us. And, without a doubt, he truly had. Our practice flowed through him, from Sensei through Tad to us. Only in the past few years have I come to realize that he made the most progress not only because he is the baddest of the bad, but because he practices the hardest and the smartest. He always has.

Tad’s influence on Karate - Maryknoll, is considerable, even though he lives two thousand miles away. We look forward to his visits. But this is not to diminish what Kei and José, James and Frank, and their immediate juniors, the people who have We are privileged to be a part of this. We have been lucky beyond belief! Lucky that carried on in Tad’s absence, have accomplished in their own right. What might have Sister Bernadette was at the wedding where Sensei was the master of ceremonies. been (or not been) if there were no one willing and able to run with the ball when Tad Lucky that John Tadao Teramoto doggedly persisted in asking Sensei to teach us karate. made the handoff? (He always loved playing tackle football!) Lucky that Kei and José, James and Frank, have faithfully carried the club to where it is today. Lucky, yes, but the real luck is that we are here to bear witness to the incredible So, what changes have I seen since my return to practice? Oizuki has changed the dedication to the art of karate that Ohshima Sensei has so generously shared over most, to me. It has become more dynamic, harder for me to execute, more penetrating. the last fifty years. And he continues, quite amazingly, to share with us (remember the The side up-kick is very different, much easier for me to execute and really feels like a audible gasp at the practice for Black Belt Convention when he demonstrated the healthier body movement. Every once in a while some move in any given kata seems first move of Bassai? We all had our breath taken away!) Our sweat and the pain of different to me, like maybe I learned a different version and sure enough, a senior will practice are the small price we pay to be close to a real genius, a legendary artist tell me, “Yes, we used to do it that way, but Sensei changed it.” These differences are who continues to awe and inspire us.

8 I have seen Maryknoll Karate Club weave itself into the fabric of SFXJCC, the place still referred to as Maryknoll by many. From the beginning, Father McKillop knew what Ohshima Sensei might mean to our community, and his hopes have been realized. Along the way Maryknoll Karate Club has become a central pillar of support. When things need to get done, “Call on the karate club.” When something has to be handled just so, “Call on the karate club.” This is echoed time and again within the church community.

Today, very few of those practicing in the club have roots in the Maryknoll community. Most have discovered us via the Internet. Some have come from other dojos, or just happened to find us walking by our dojo. Others have been introduced to Maryknoll Karate by current or past members. Amazingly, as they continue to practice they, too, become a part of the dojo. The dojo changes them, and they, likewise, change the dojo. And the more things change, the more they stay the same. Though we change, the heart and soul of this dojo stay constant.

We are in this place: a moment in time, fifty years, still polishing, polishing.

We love this place. It is our home. We care for it. It is our honor and mission to faithfully continue to take care of it and to help it flourish. Come join us. It would be a great privilege to share this with you. Congratulations, Maryknoll Karate Club, as we celebrate our Fiftieth Anniversary! Thank you, Sensei! Thank you, Tad! Thank you, seniors, precious seniors!

Respectfully, Geoffrey Yamamoto

9 Humble Beginnings

1912 Fr. Albert Breton is assigned to Los Angeles by the Archbishop of Hakodate, Japan, after receiving a request from Los Angeles for a Japanese speaking priest. Fr. Breton presides over the first Catholic Mass said in Japanese on Christmas Day, 1912. In 1914, the St. Francis Xavier Chapel Mission is formally dedicated to serve the needs of the Japanese community. In 1920, four nuns of the Maryknoll missionary society arrive to assist Fr. Breton and other Sisters. The Maryknoll Priests, Brothers and Sisters would soon assume operations of the church and school. Maryknoll School Bus (1920’s)

1930 Tsutomu Ohshima is born in the Chinese province of Tsingtao. As a youngster, he studies sumo, kendo and . His family returns to Japan shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War.

1945 World War II comes to an end. Martial arts training is banned for twenty years. However, ’s Professor Nobumoto Ohama, was able to convince American occupation leaders to grant an exception for karate. He argued successfully that karate was like American boxing. Thus the Waseda University Karate Club, originally established in 1931 by Master , the founder of modern Ohshima Family (1940’s) karate, is revived

1948 Mr. Ohshima attends Waseda University and begins his study of karate as Master Funakoshi’s pupil.

1952 At the All-Japan Promotional, Master Funakoshi awards Mr. Ohshima his sandan (third degree black belt) as he achieves the highest score of any participant. That year he is named captain of the Waseda University Karate Club. Mr. Ohshima formalizes the scoring and judging systems still in use today for karate tournaments.

Master Ginchin Funakoshi

10 1955 After graduating from Waseda, Mr. Ohshima travels to the United States to continue his education at the University of Southern California to study economics. During the summers he works in the fields of Delano with other foreign students who learn of his karate background and spread the word. When he returned to Los Angeles, interested people came to meet with him for the first time to plan regular classes.

1956 Mr. Ohshima’s first class was held in the equipment room of the Denker Playground in Gardena. Shortly thereafter, the group moved to Konko Church in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights. This became the birthplace of the oldest karate organization still practicing today in the United States.

Sensei, captain of Waseda University Karate Club, 1957 At the invitation of friends in the judo world, Mr. Ohshima is invited to offer the first sitting next to Master Funakoshi (1953) public demonstration of karate during the intermission of the judo tournament at the Nisei Week Festival. The following year, the Nisei Week Karate Exhibition and Tournament is added and becomes the start of the oldest continuing public demonstration in America. Also in 1957, he visits Japan to receive his godan (fifth degree black belt), the highest level awarded by Master Funakoshi.

Mr. Ohshima establishes the first university karate group at the California Institute of Technology. He would serve on Caltech’s faculty for 37 years before retiring from his position. Caltech Shotokan continues karate training to this day. Mr. Ohshima would go on to build dojos across the United States and around the world. Original Konko Church Dojo Members (1957)

1963 Yoshimitsu Yajima, a judo senior member, former foreign student and close friend of Mr. Ohshima, marries a member of the Fujita family. Mr. Yajima invites Mr. Ohshima to emcee the wedding reception. The Fujitas are members of Maryknoll Catholic Church and School. The school was widely known for its community work and its academic excellence. It included Japanese language instruction as a regular part of the curriculum. The school accepted both Catholic and non-Christians of Japanese descent.

Sensei demonstrating front kick at first Nisei Week demonstration in 1957.

11 1963 Mrs. Hideko Toizumi Chiujo, the Maryknoll School Japanese teacher retires. Sister Mary Bernadette, while attending the Yajima-Fujita wedding is impressed by the master of ceremonies at the reception and invites him and his wife to meet with the school principal, Sr. St. Michael, to consider being the new Japanese teacher.

During this time, Mr. Ohshima is teaching at Caltech and Konko Church, building dojos across the country and overseas and also translating Master Funakoshi’s texts. He declines because of these commitments. However, his martial arts expertise is powerless in the face of the overwhelming force of Maryknoll Sisters. He accepts the position and gains the strong support of the pastor, Fr. Michael McKillop. Students are immediately shocked with the discipline and demeanor that the new teacher demanded. They suddenly miss Mrs. Chiujo. A lot. Sister Bernadette (1970) Because of the demands on Mr. Ohshima’s schedule, several substitutes are brought in over the years to take over his classes. Among them are his wife, Yoko, and his juniors from Waseda’s karate club, Shoji Okabe, Sadaharu Honda and Yasunori Ono. Sensei’s Waseda juniors would all later lead practices for the Maryknoll youth. A talented Caltech brown belt, Jim Sagawa, would also lead practices when Sensei was away and would later show the members how to present formal group kata – Heian Shodan – at the Nisei Week Karate Exhibition. Fr Michael McKillop (1960’s)

One of the first demonstrations at Maryknoll. Left to right: Sensei, Hayward Nishioka, Caylor Atkins, and George Murakami (1960’s)

12 Mrs Ohshima and daughters Kyo (R) and Tomo (L).

Yasunori Ono (1967)

Jim Sagawa kumite (1960s) From top left to right: Mamoru Ohara, Sensei, Sadaharu Honda Shoji Okabe, Yoshiaki Yamagami, Caylor Atkins and Jim Sagawa (1960s)

13 Maryknoll Karate Club 1963 One of Mr. Ohshima’s young students, John Teramoto, asked the new teacher if he knew any martial arts. Mr. Ohshima only admitted to knowing “a little,” so John asked him to teach them. Mr. Ohshima refused. He was unconvinced that American children could stand the rigors of practice. John asked again, then again. Finally, after requiring each student to get written parental permission, Mr. Ohshima relented and allowed John to get some students together. With its first 60 students, 6th, 7th and 8th grade boys, Maryknoll Karate Club in 1963 became the world’s first elementary school karate club. John Teramoto is in the 8th grade class, Geoffrey Yamamoto is in the 6th, Kei Teramoto and José Rivera and other classmates are waiting in the 5th, the next class in line to join.

Maryknoll Karate with Sensei & Fr. McKillop (1968) 1964 That 5th grade class is deemed too unruly and undisciplined and is banned from joining the karate club for one year. Kei, José and their classmates must wait another year.

1965 Finally as 7th graders, the class is permitted to join karate along with the new 6th graders. The perpetrators of the alleged misbehaviors remain at large.

1966 John Teramoto is the first Maryknoll member to attend summer Special Training at Lake Arrowhead, California.

John Teramoto & Sensei (1960’s) 1967 Martin Tatsumi and Geoffrey Yamamoto make their first Special Training in Lake Arrowhead, California. John Teramoto joins them for his second.

Maryknoll Karate Club joins the Nisei Week Karate Exhibition. The dojo performs the kata, Heian Shodan, to lead off the program. The tradition continues to this day. After a few years, Maryknoll would be given the responsibility for organizing the exhibition for Mr. Ohshima.

14 1969 Fifty-seven karate-ka attend Summer Special Training. Of that total, twelve are from Maryknoll and include: John Teramoto, Kei Teramoto, José Rivera, Tim Morimoto, George Ono, Tom Kurata, Larry Sasano, Frank Takaki, Steve Kikuchi, Phil Tera- moto, Michael Nomura and John Hattori. Several members leave the soles of their feet behind somewhere on the road between the motel where they stayed and the high school field where they trained.

Sally Ono, a 1965 Maryknoll School graduate, asks Mr. Ohshima to allow girls to join the karate club. Mr. Ohshima approves and leads a girls practice. Later John Teramoto would take over a combined boys and girls karate club.

The ever-increasing demands upon Sensei to teach karate throughout the U.S. and around the world requires him to retire from teaching Japanese at Maryknoll. The “senior” members with Sensei (1970) His junior from Waseda University, Mr. Shoji Okabe, replaces him for the next two years. John Teramoto is given full responsibility for leading the karate club at Maryknoll.

1971 At its annual black belt convention, John Teramoto is named Shotokan Karate of America National Member of the Year.

Along with his 6th grade classmates, James Uyeda joins the karate club.

Mr. Shoji Okabe (1969)

1973 After 10 years of translation, photo sessions and research, Mr. Ohshima publishes James Uyeda (1972) Master Funakoshi’s Karate-do Kyohan, the Master Text. The first printing sells out. It becomes the definitive English language guide to Shotokan karate.

Paul Tabe and John Hattori assist in leading the Loyola High School Karate Club and invite fellow students Martin McGrail and Enrique Manzanilla to practice at Maryknoll.

Enrique Manzanilla & Paul Tabe (1982)

1963 – 1973 15 1974 John Teramoto’s studies take him to Japan and later to other parts of the U.S. He passes the baton of dojo leadership to Kei Teramoto and José Rivera while he continues to provide guidance and leadership from wherever he is and establishes other dojos at the same time.

1977 Zenshuji Temple dojo, started by SKA black belt Clabe Hartley, closes. Four of its members, Chisato Okubo, Riko Mizuno, Gilbert Rubalcava and an innocent 11-year old lad named Frank Lee, come to Maryknoll to continue their practice.

1980 Jane Uyeda, a 1979 Maryknoll School graduate, starts karate practice at the age of 15. She becomes the dojo’s first woman black belt in 1987 and is promoted to (1977) yodan in 2013. She currently trains in San Francisco.

1981 Satoshi Fukuda, a former vice-captain at Waseda Karate, comes to the U.S. for graduate studies and trains at Maryknoll. He returns to Japan after a couple of years, continues his practice and joins the corporate world. He is now head coach of the Waseda University Karate Club. His junior, Tamotsu Nishino, later follows in his footsteps and trains at Maryknoll during his doctorate studies at UCLA. Jane Uyeda

Satoshi Fukuda 1982 Sensei leads his 100th West Coast Summer Special Training at Westmont College in Montecito, California. Along with Jane Uyeda, it would also be the first Special Training for Marty McGrail and a 39 year old Larry Dote.

Sensei performing his favorite kata, Hangetsu (1982) 161974 – 1983 Kei Teramoto leading Heian Shodan during Senior Toshio Kamata-Watanabe’s visit to U.S. (1976)

(1974)

Dojo practice (1977)

Sensei and Dojo (1980)

17 1985 Jerome Williams becomes the first Maryknoll Dojo member to win the Nisei Week Tournament. He is later followed by Frank Lee (who wins several 2nd places), Ryan Okabe (who wins 1st place in 2004) and Richard Matsushita (who wins 1st place in 2007 & 2011).

Maryknoll Karate Club holds its first Chicken Teriyaki Bingo to raise funds for the parish and for dojo activities. It becomes a popular and successful yearly tradition for both the parish community and the karate club. Jerome Williams wins 1st place at 1985 Nisei Week Future black belt Beth Teramoto is born the same day as the first Chicken Teriyaki Bingo event, giving Kei an excuse to “phone it in”.

1988 Maryknoll Karate celebrates its 25th Anniversary. After a special practice with Sensei, we celebrate later at CalMart’s banquet hall.

Larry Dote, Adam Rickabus, Ryan Okabe and José Rivera

25th anniversary practice Sensei at Chicken Teriyaki

18 1990 Harmony World Gathering is held to celebrate Mr. Ohshima’s 60th birthday. John Teramoto is promoted to godan. Frank Lee participates as a member of the winning USA Team in a competition with other international Shotokan teams.

1992 Jane Uyeda, establishes the San Francisco Dojo with Dan Magyari. John Teramoto at Harmony World Gathering

1993 Frank Lee is awarded SKA Western Region Member of the Year.

Jane Uyeda at San Francisco Dojo

Frank Lee lecture

1984 – 1993 19 Maryknoll Karate Club (2006)

Ryan Okabe facing off with Richard Matsushita (2003) Richard Matsushita sparring (2008) 20 Frank Lee fighting in Switzerland on 1st place U.S. team (1993)

Summer Special Training Osamu Nishimura, James Uyeda, Jerome Williams, Alfred Mercado and Frank Lee (1988)

Chicken Teriyaki Crew (2006) Sensei and the grillers (2010) 1995 Japanese and Japanese-Americans continue their migration from the inner city to the suburbs causing dwindling enrollment, so Maryknoll School closes in 1994. The Maryknoll order of Priests, Brothers and Sisters, citing a more dire need in their primary overseas missions, leaves Los Angeles in 1997. The karate club, made up of several alumni and many other practitioners, continues as part of the community of the new Maryknoll Japanese Catholic Center.

1996 Jerome Williams, establishes the South Los Angeles Dojo at the Figueroa Church of Christ. Jerome was promoted to yodan in 2007.

South Los Angeles Dojo (2013)

1997 Maire Hourigan, nidan, is awarded SKA Western Region Member of the Year.

Kei Teramoto leads Summer Special Training, West Coast. Other seniors would Maire Hourigan counter attacking Melinda Garcia also lead James Uyeda (1999), José Rivera (2004), and Frank Lee (2005).

1998 John Teramoto becomes Black Belt Council President.

Dojo holds its First Annual All-Day Practice for junior members, to give them a “taste“ of special training. Kei Teramoto instructing at special training

1994 – 2003 Beth Teramoto at All Day Practice 22 2000 After many years of planning, fundraising and construction, the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo is dedicated in the foothills of Santa Barbara, CA.

John Teramoto moves to Indianapolis to become the Curator of Asian Art at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. He reactivates the Butler University Karate Club. The Indianapolis dojos initiate quarterly exchange practices with other Midwest dojos and also regional Special Trainings. The original group was started in 1988 by Sensei leading practice at Grand Opening Brad Markisohn at Indiana University in Bloomington, moved to Indianapolis and of Shotokan Ohshima Dojo (2000) then expanded to include Butler. John continues to lead practices and oversee Special Trainings in Indianapolis.

2003 Maryknoll Karate celebrates its 40th Anniversary. Over 60 current and former members join in a special practice with Ohshima Sensei. Afterwards, an additional 100 guests, family and friends, enjoy a special program of reminiscences and photos at Empress Pavilion restaurant. Sensei leading warm ups at 40th anniversary Phil Lynn at the 40th anniversary Kei Teramoto, José Rivera, James Uyeda and Frank Lee, begin leading an annual training session at the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo. The focus is on “Ten no Mon (Gates of Heaven)” practice, an integral element of Sensei’s teachings.

Sensei and José Rivera “Ten no Mon” practice

Kei Teramoto instructing at “Ten no Mon” practice (2003) Sensei and James Uyeda at “Ten no Mon” practice

23 1st Annual All Day Practice for Juniors (1998) Beth Teramoto (1998)

Butler University Karate Club Sensei & Mr. Ono at Waseda (2003)

24 40th Anniversary Practice Group (2003)

John Teramoto performing kata at 40th Anniversary (2003) Kei Teramoto performing his favorite kata, Bassai (2003) José Rivera performing his favorite kata, Bassai (2003

25 2004 Kei Teramoto and José Rivera fly overseas to join the celebration of France Shotokan’s 40th anniversary. At the black belt testing, Ohshima Sensei awards them their godan ranks. Paul Tabe joins them from Belgium and is promoted to yodan.

José Rivera and Kei Teramoto (2004) 2005 Martin McGrail, together with SKA black belts Don Elmore and Jim Crawford establish the Central Coast Dojo in Pismo Beach, California. Marty started training at Maryknoll in 1973, earned his black belt and was promoted to yodan in 2011.

Martin McGrail 2006 Shotokan Karate of America celebrates “Unity 2006”, commemorating 50 years of karate in the United States under Mr. Ohshima. Groups from across the country and around the globe join three days of special practices with Sensei and a huge party. James Uyeda and Frank Lee are promoted to godan at the black belt testing. Waseda Karate members visit Maryknoll during their Unity 2006 stay.

Yodan, Paul Tabe, who had relocated to Belgium, establishes a new dojo in his adopted home city of Antwerp. The dojo is part of Belgium Shotokan. James and Frank at Nisei Week

John Teramoto visits from Indianapolis to lead the West Coast Summer Special Training.

John Teramoto leading practice

James Uyeda, Frank Lee, Dave Lechuga, Martin McGrail John Teramoto and Mori from Waseda (2006) (2006) 26 2011 Nidan (2nd degree black belt) Osamu Nishimura, with the guidance of senior black belt Albert Kubota, establishes a dojo at the Long Beach Japanese Cultural Center.

2012 Kei Teramoto becomes Executive Vice President of the SKA, and Frank Lee Long Beach Dojo becomes General Manager of the Black Belt Council.

Kei Teramoto becomes the karate instructor for Cal Tech’s Physical Education course. He also lends guidance to the Cal Tech Karate Club, together with Frank Lee.

Geoffrey Yamamoto, one of the original members of the dojo, returns to his first special training in 40 years and obtains his black belt.

Geoffrey Yamamoto with his Black Belt (2012) Kei Teramoto leading class

2013 Maryknoll sandan, Phil Sugino, establishes a dojo at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center.

Phil Sugino (2012)

2004 – 2013 27 Maryknoll Black Belts

Godan Nidan Byron Dote Frank Lee Tessie Dong* Ramon Espinosa* SKA Western Region Member of the Year Jose Rivera Rand Eisenberg Melinda Garcia 1971- John Teramoto Kei Teramoto Luis Garza John Hattori† 1993 - Frank Lee Tad Teramoto Lars Hansen Richard Kamei 1997 - Maire Hourigan James Uyeda Maire Hourigan Thomas Martinez Brian Kanegawa Matthew O’Neal Yodan Ron Lee Richard Oswald Nisei Week Winners Martin McGrail Richard Matsushita Arlene Oto* Paul Tabe Georgianna Mitchell* Panagiotis Panagiotou 1985 - Jerome Williams Jane Uyeda Osamu Nishimura Mario Prego 2004 - Ryan Okabe Jerome Williams Tamotsu Nishino* Ilir Progri 2007, 2011 - Richard Matsushita Ryan Okabe Adam Rickabus Sandan Serge Perron Brett Setsuda Michelle Cho* Michael Sanchez Russell Setsuda Special Training Leaders Gary Domingo Beth Teramoto Frank Takaki Satoshi Fukuda* Evan Viera Natsuki Takano 1997 - Kei Teramoto Philip Lynn Dung Tran 1999 - James Uyeda Enrique Manzanilla Shodan Michael Yamada 2004 - José Rivera Rodin Porrata* Jacques Braziel Geoffrey Yamamoto 2005 - Frank Lee Philip Sugino Cristina Carrera †Deceased 2006 - John Teramoto Gilbert Wong* Edmund Catolico *SKA Black Belts who have trained at Maryknoll 2009 - Paul Tabe 2011 - Marty McGrail 28 Dojos From Maryknoll Students Belgium Shotokan Paul Tabe (yodan) Antwerp, Belgium 2006

Butler University Karate Club John Teramoto (godan) Indianapolis, IN 2000

San Francisco Jane Uyeda (yodan) Southern California San Francisco, CA 1992

South Los Angeles Shotokan Jerome Williams (yodan) Los Angeles, CA Central Coast 1996 Martin McGrail (yodan) Pismo Beach, CA 2005 Torrance Karate Club Phil Suguino (sandan) Torrance, CA 2013

Maryknoll Karate Club Los Angeles, CA 1963 Long Beach Shotokan Osamu Nishimura (nidan) Long Beach, CA 2011

29 Mr. Ono and Kei Teramoto (2005)

Waseda Karate Members visit Maryknoll dojo (2006)

End of year Christmas party with Father Richard (2012)

Maryknoll practice (2012)

30 Acknowledgements Our deepest gratitude to Ohshima Sensei, Shotokan Karate of America, St. Francis Xavier Chapel Japanese Catholic Center, all our parents, families, friends, and to all our supporters over the past 50 years.

31 www.maryknollkarate.com