On Sunday, April 23, a dan promotion examination was held at the Komatsubashi Branch Office.

This time, 14 dojo students took the test. After deciding to take the exam and before the day of the exam, the students practiced kata, reviewed flow, etiquette, and kiai, and practiced with the aim of achieving crisp and clear movements.After correcting the areas that needed improvement, the students performed their kata with a mixture of speed and dynamism, while maintaining their composure at the actual judging. Everyone was relieved to hear that they had passed.

Congratulations to everyone who passed!

・Haga Nobuyuki 2Dan
・Aso Mayuko 2Dan
・Kudo Naoko 2Dan
・Nitahara Hironori 2Dan
・Suzuki Mayumi 2Dan
・Haga Mikiko 1Dan
・Kudo Rena Jun1Dan
・Kudo Anna 2Kyu
・Arai Naru 5Kyu
・Arai Kano 6Kyu
・Saito Takumi 9Kyu
・Seki Tosei 9Kyu
・Wakabayashi Ritsuki 9Kyu
・Doi Soshiro 10Kyu

The 5th All Japan Okinawa Traditional Uechi-ryu Karate-do Tournament was held in Maihama, Urayasu City on Sunday, March 26, 2023. Eight students from Fukagawa Dojo participated in the tournament, and Shoei Endo won the Kata high school boys division.

In the kata division, he showed a spirited performance with an awareness of “decisiveness,” and in the kumite division, his powerful kicks and thrusts aimed at the blind spots of his opponents excited the audience. Although there were glimpses of nervousness, the contestants performed with dignity and spontaneity. We hope that they will make the most of this experience in their daily training and continue to grow!

・ Arai Naru (Kata,  2nd grade elementary school section )
・ Kudo Anna　(Kata, 4th grade elementary school section)
・ Kudo Rena (Kata, junior high school girl section)
・ Shibuya Togo (Kata / Kumite, Junior High School Boys section)
・ Kimura Tao (Kata/Kumite, Junior High School Boys section)
・ Endo Shoei (Kata, High School Boys section)
・ Nitahara Hironori (Kata, General Men’s Dan section)
・ Hashimoto Hideki (Kata/Kumite, General Men’s Dan section)

On Sunday, March 16, 2023, a special training session was held at Komatsubashi Community Center with Gaetano Sensei, who is visiting Japan from Italy. Many dojo students were inspired by his warm and attentive instruction, which transcended language barriers, as he spoke warmly to each student.

This special training was made possible by Gaetano Sensei’s teacher,Vladimir Sensei.

This kind of international exchange through karate is one of the best things about Fukagawa Arakaki Dojo. I would like to thank Vladimir Sensei for giving us this opportunity and Gaetano Sensei for his enthusiastic guidance.

［Palumbo Gaetano］
Jyun‐Shihan, 4dan. He is the owner of Kuro Obi Kai Dojo in Milan, Italy, and a student of Popovic Vladimir Sensei. He is dedicated to the promotion of karate and the training of future karate practitioners.

On Sunday, March 12, 2023, we held a joint training with Tokyo Horinouchi Dojo members at Komatsubashi Branch Office. About 30 people from Horinouchi Dojo and Fukagawa Dojo gathered　to practice basic training, kata, and kumite.

In kumite practice, we repeatedly practiced quick counterattacks. I felt a sense of tension in practicing with a different opponent than usual. The four hours of practice ended in no time, but I think it was a good opportunity for the dojo members to interact and be stimulated.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Kazama Sensei of Hachioji Dojo and all the dojo students for offering such a valuable opportunity. Let’s continue to work hard together.

As we pass the middle of February, we can gradually feel the arrival of spring. And it has also become easier to be physically active.

At today’s practice, there was a talk about the 3rd All Japan Okinawa Traditional Uechi-ryu Karate-do Tournament to be held on Sunday, March 26th in Maihama, Urayasu City. It was a more productive day of practice than usual because of the announcement of the tournament, which will be held for the first time in a long time.

We hope that all dojo students will work together to make the tournament a great success so that all participants will be able to fully demonstrate the results of their daily activities.

As we welcome the new year, many of you will start school or work this week. At Tokyo Fukagawa Arakaki Dojo, we held our first training session today, January 6, and held the awarding ceremony for last December’s promotion examination.

Now, Tokyo Fukagawa Aragaki Dojo was able to celebrate its 25th anniversary last May 2022. We are deeply grateful for the understanding and cooperation of the Okikukai and all the parents, the instructors who support us daily with their guidance, and the growth of the dojo students who practice diligently over the past 25 years.

We hope that 2023 will be a year in which each of you will work even harder to achieve your own goals and practice even more fully.Best wishes for successful and rewarding year.