ISKF SPOTLIGHT Fall 2008 INTERNATIONAL SHOTOKAN KARATE FEDERATION aster Camp 2008 was a truly memo- MASTER CAMP 2008 - rable year - those who attended were INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION fortunate enough to train with four of the OF SHOTOKAN KARATE Mmost skilled karate masters the world has ever known - Masters Teruyuki Okazaki 10th dan and Yutaka Yaguchi 9th dan of the ISKF, and Masters Hirokazu Kanazawa 10th dan and Masaru Miura 9th dan of the SKIF. We were first introduced to Master Kanazawa and his karate training methods and philosophy at Master Camp 2007. History was made at last year's Camp when the final vote was cast, officially declaring the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) independent from the Japan Karate Association (JKA). Already after only one year we can see the doors of opportunity opening and are experiencing some of the joys of our newly found freedom. Since our independence last year (June 2007) many countries have contacted us wanting to join the ISKF. These countries want to be part of a democratic organization and many have experienced problems with Master H. Kanazawa, left - Master T. Okazaki, middle - Mr. B. Sandler, right photos by Thomas Cote, ISKF Quebec, Canada the JKA. The ISKF constitution requires that we do things in a demo- Iran, and Georgia. Dojo and Nijyu Kun. These are cratic way. We discuss issues and The ISKF follows the principles of karate's guiding principles and are take the majority vote on what to do. our founder, Master Gichin Funakoshi. meant to be remembered and fol- We have already welcomed nine new Master Funakoshi was a visionary of lowed by all karate-ka. Every year member countries into the ISKF: his time and knew that humans would Master Okazaki chooses a precept for Kuwait, Romania, Philippines, South change evolving with each genera- us to concentrate on at Master Camp. Africa, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, England, tion. This is why he left us with the Next page IN THIS ISSUE ISKF SPOTLIGHT Page 2 My Master Camp by Oded Friedman Page 3 ISKF Upcoming Events A publication of the ISKF Page 4 Participant Perspestives Master Camp 2008 by Nicole Maloy 222 South 45th St. Phila., PA U.S.A. T: 215-222-9382 F: 215-222-7813 Page 5, 6 Conversation with Master Yutaka Yaguchi E-mail: [email protected] Page 7 1st ISKF World Shoto Cup Publisher: Teruyuki Okazaki, Page 8,9,10 ISKF Official Rules of Certified Qualifications Chairman and Chief Instructor of ISKF Page 11 International Goodwill Tournament Results Editor: Naseema Sami Page 11,12 Examination Results Assistant Editors: Hiroyoshi Okazaki Page 13,14,15 Shoto Cup Tournament Results Lois Luzi, Marcia Ransom 1 dents how to score points. Technically the technique they are teaching may not be wrong, but the principle behind the technique is wrong and when the principle is wrong true understanding of the tech- nique can never be achieved. This is why after every class we say the Dojo Kun. In our organization we treat tournament training the same as dojo training- we call it special training. Before we begin the tournament we line up exactly like dojo training, we bow to the front, then to the Chief Instructor and we begin the tourna- ment or special training. At the end we also line up, say mokuso, clear the mind and then we say the Dojo Kun. These 'little' details like lining up Master Teruyuki Okazaki teaches beginners class at Master Camp 2008 and bowing, may seem tiny and photo by Steven Majors, ISKF East Coast insignificant but are the most impor- This year we focused on - "Tekki ni and their everyday life as well as to tant to practice continuously and for a yotte tenka seyo" or "Move according organizations and how they conduct lifetime. Through deliberate practice to your opponent". business. they can lead to perfection of charac- "Of course as I always say, we ter. By following the Dojo Kun each "So keep an open mind, work must be democratic to develop our individual contributes to making the hard, and don't be attached to your organization. As an organization we ISKF a successful international organ- plans and desires: flow with the situa- will have some growing pains. ization. A champion cannot make that tion you're in and move according to Growing the organization; it is the happen. Individual members who your opponent." same as free sparring. As our organi- understand the principles of Shotokan Chapter 13 - Perfection of Character zation grows we will continue to chal- karate and put them into daily practice Master Teruyuki Okazaki lenge each other and always keep an are those who are bringing peace to open mind while staying flexible. In the world. That is the essence of this way we will have an organization what the ISKF and its members stand Master Okazaki reminds us that with a foundation in Master for. Always have the Dojo Kun in principle is not only about kumite this Funakoshi's principles" Master mind. First understand the Dojo Kun as one might have a tendency to think Teruyuki Okazaki. and develop - in that way you help but rather about keeping an open These are the principles we are develop our organization. This ulti- mind and staying flexible. This pre- using to become better martial artists. mately means that we are bringing cept can be applied to an individual Some instructors may teach their stu- peace to the world. That is our goal. My Master Camp by Oded Friedman Chairman I.S.K.F Israel, 6th Dan he last Master Camp con- The trip to cludes the period of my par- Master Camp is per- ticipating in 20 training ceived by me as a camps since 1987. Despite kind of annual family the many years that have reunion. During the passed and the experience many years, I have Tand seniority gained, each trip to meet made many friends Master Okazaki is a special and touching and buddies, who like experience for me, each year anew. Master Okazaki explains principal of karate technique in Israel. Next Page photo presented by Oded Friedman 2 My Master Camp by Oded Frfiedman me, return to Green Lane each and every year. There is always that feeling that we parted only yesterday. In addition, besides Master Okazaki’s and other masters’ visits to Israel, we enjoy, from time to time, the visits of friends from Master Camp who are always welcomed with intense joy. I, personally feel greatly honored to be allowed and to be able to practice with, learn from and receive the guidance of the best Shotokan instructors in the world, led by Master Okazaki. I instill in my Israeli students and pass to them my great appreci- ation of Master Okazaki, and Master Yaguchi and other senior instructors. I am glad that my efforts in this direction are successful. Mater Okazaki is a key person in my life. Meeting him left a profound mark on my personality, in mental, intellec- From left : wife - Edna, Odded, Roey, 9.5 yrs, Rotem, 14 yrs, Master Okazaki, Ori, 4.5 yes, and Gal,18 yrs tual and professional areas. His talks with me were a well of unique knowledge from the high costs related to a trip from Israel to Kangeiko of Master Yaguchi, who is also an which I drank deeply and the limitless U.S.A. We stress repeatedly to our students important figure in my Karate life. This source of creative and spiritual thinking and that since we are not as lucky as the U.S.A annual winter trip to Rocky Mountains is associations all of which I use as an instruc- Karate students who enjoy training with for me a test of my determination and I tor, teacher and educator. I wish to add that masters most of the year, we have to use hope to meet this challenge for many years all areas of my life, such as education of my every opportunity that comes our way. to come. own children, my relationship with my wife (Whenever we can afford it). In conclusion, walking the path of and friends are influenced by what I I see great importance in going to Karate gave me so much more than can be “acquired” from Master Okazaki. I am Master Camp for Karate advancement in described here. The Master Camp and meet- grateful everyday anew for the circum- Israel in general and for advancement of ing the masters in person are as far as I am stances that led me to meet him and his each student in particular. During the recent concerned one of the highlights of all my agreeing to become my instructor. This years, most positive changes have occurred years of training. It is a satisfying, fulfilling strong sense of gratitude caused me, 4 years in Israel in general and in Shotokan Ryu and enjoyable experience which I warmly ago, to travel from Israel to U.S.A for one Israel Association in particular. These recommend to anyone who has Karate “run- day, to have a dinner with Master Okazaki, changes were related to open mindedness ning through his veins”. I would like to and return to Israel after it. The purpose of and understanding of the importance of conclude with a famous quotation of Sir that trip was to thank Master Okazaki for learning from external sources. Therefore Isaac Newton, a quotation which comes to everything he gave me and at the same time my students who travel abroad even for rel- my mind when I think of the masters I try to tell him why I have decided that he is my ative short periods, frequently make the to follow: Master.