From May 2 to 4, 2025, a prominent International Seminar and the South American Karate-do and Kobudo Championship were held in the city of Vilcún, Chile.

From Okinawa, Japan, Sensei Takashi Arakaki and Miyoshi Fukuchi participated, and from Tokyo, Sensei Shozen Arakaki and Mayumi Suzuki joined the event, visiting Chilean soil for the first time. With great enthusiasm, they engaged in training alongside practitioners from Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.

Many athletes from various countries across the continent competed in the South American Karate and Kobudo Championship. In the women’s karate kata category, Mayumi Suzuki won first place. In women’s kobudo, in the bo and sai categories, Mayumi Suzuki took second place and Miyoshi Fukuchi placed third, both demonstrating outstanding performances.

The Vilcún community enthusiastically supported the event, offering a warm welcome and continuous hospitality—reflecting the growing interest in karate and kobudo in the region.

It is worth highlighting that in Vilcún, karate-do has been incorporated into the educational and emotional development of children. During the event, visits were made to six local schools, promoting cultural exchange and the core values of karate.

We wish to express our deepest gratitude to Sensei Salomón Abdias Sepúlveda Ocares, all members of Dojo Vilcún Okikukai Uechi-ryu Chile, Mayor Katherinne Migueles Muñoz, and the entire community of Vilcún, for making this wonderful visit and the successful realization of this important championship possible.

Date: May 2–4, 2025
Location: Vilcún, Chile
Organizer: Dojo Vilcún Okikukai Uechi-ryu Chile
General Coordination: Sensei Salomón Abdias Sepúlveda Ocares

On Friday, September 20, 2024, a special practice session was held in Okinawa Prefecture, inviting Hirokuni Yamashiro -Sensei, President of Okinawa Karatedo Association, and Isamu Oshiro-Sensei, Chairman of the Association. （▶︎Special practice video）

Hirokuni Yamashiro-Sensei and Isamu Oshiro-Sensei came to Tokyo to perform a karate demonstration at the “Okinawa Day” event held on the same day at the Indian Embassy in Tokyo to promote mutual understanding between Okinawa Prefecture and the Republic of India.

Despite his busy schedule, he made time in his visit to communicate directly with everyone who is training daily as a member of Okikukai.

While carefully instructing each student, his unpretentious personality made it possible for the students to actively exchange questions and concerns about their daily practice, making the visit a meaningful experience.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Hirokuni Yamashiro️-Sensei and Isamu Oshiro-Sensei for creating such a valuable opportunity for us.

From April 28 to May 5, 2024, special training and international seminars for Ryukyu Kobudo Kenryoryu Association and Uechiryu Karate were held in Belgrade, Serbia and Milan, Italy.

Four members, Takashi Arakaki, Nakasone, and Fukuchi from Okinawa, and Shozen Arakaki from our dojo, visited and practiced with the international competitors. This was their first overseas visit in a long time, and the first time they have visited Europe in 7 years since 2017.
Many players participated in the seminar. All of them practiced very hard and enthusiastically.

It is a great learning experience to interact with athletes from many countries through karate and kobudo. It is also an opportunity to share values and learn the importance of globalization and acceptance of diversity. I would like to continue to focus on training many more athletes, both domestic and international.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers, Mr. Vladimir Popovic of Okikukai Serbia Hombu and Mr. Palumbo Gaetano of Kuro Obi Kai Dojo, for providing us with such a wonderful opportunity.

Date: April 28 – May 5, 2024
Location: Belgrade, Serbia; Milan, Italy
Organizers: Vladimir Popovic (Okikukai Serbia Hombu), Palumbo Gaetano (Kuro Obi Kai Dojo)

Gaetano-Sensei from Italy was invited for a special training session.He teaches karate in Milan, Italy.He has visited Japan several times before.

He has a very gentle nature and carefully instructed each student.We do not often have the opportunity to receive direct instruction from a foreign Shihan.
This is a very rare opportunity and we thank him for it.
Thank you very much for the wonderful memories.

［Palumbo Gaetano］
He is an associate master, 4Dan, and a master of Kuro Obi Kai Dojo.

On Friday, March 8, a special training session was held at Hirano Jidokan with Jose, who is visiting Japan from Brazil.

It was the first time for some of the students to practice with a foreign instructor, and there were some tense moments. However, I think it was a good experience that led to new discoveries and learning for each student.
The day was a great opportunity for the students to fully experience the appeal of karate, which is known throughout the world.

［Jose Carlos Amaral］
3Dan. Studied under Sensei-Cielo at the Okinawa Dojo in Brazil.

On Sunday, January 7th, the first practice of 2024 was held at the Komatsubashi Community Center. I am very happy that we were able to gather together again this year and celebrate the first training in this way.

Looking back on last year, we were filled with regret and disbelief at the passing of Yonamine Kosuke-sensei, who had supported the dojo for so long. However, I believe that we were able to train hard despite this, thanks to the students who worked so hard in practice and to the many people who supported us.

The year 2024, the year of the dragon in Japan, is said to be the year in which all our efforts to date will come to fruition and our dreams will more easily come true. I wish you all a year of taking on new challenges and wish you all the best in the New Year. Thank you for your continued support this year.

Finally, I would like to express my deepest sympathies for the earthquake and tsunami that occurred at the beginning of this year. We pray for your safety and the earliest possible recovery of the afflicted areas.

Shozen Arakaki