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about shorei kan karateWelcome to Shorei-Kan Canada. Shorei-Kan Karate is a traditional style of karate taught and practiced in the traditional manner of it’s past masters. Shorei-Kan is an effective style of self defence that is practised by persons of all ages in a safe and friendly environment. It promotes both mental and physical well being through the study of karate. Kata (pre-arranged forms) is the heart of traditional karate and through the study of kata the student is able to reach a full understanding of all the techniques, beauty and philosophy of karate do. Training is further enhanced in Shorei-Kan by the practice of Bunkai and pre-arranged Kumite. In bunkai two practitioners face each other one doing the defence and the other doing the attacking part of the kata. In pre-arranged kumite one student attacks with pre-arranged moves while the defender uses prearranged defensive moves with a final defense taken from the kata. With this type of traditional training the student can practice very dangerous techniques in complete safety and can fully understand the kaisai (application of hidden techniques) in kata. Free sparring is only done at advanced stages and then only under strict supervision, and never in tournaments. Traditionalists believe that since full technique can not be used and is limited by rules one can not fully practice the art in sport karate.

Through it’s full name, Shorei-Kai Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Do, one can trace it’s heritage. Shorei Kan Karate is the school of Goju Ryu taught by Master Toguchi and all our present instructors. Shorei-Kai Okinawan Goju Ryu is the International Association with the headquarters in Tokyo Japan. Karate was born in the Okinawan islands and was a blend of Chinese Kung fu and the native Okinawan martial art of Te. The style or Ryu was usually named after the city or area of the styles master. Naha Te. under Master Kanryo Higashionna (1853-1916) was our styles predecessor, and under his principle student, Master Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953) the style was renamed Goju Ryu. After Master Miyagi’s death his most senior students started their own schools, one being Master Seikichi Toguchi’s (1917-1998) Shorei-Kan, the school of politeness and respect. The Do after karate means the way (to enlightenment) rather than Jitsu which is martial combat. For more in depth information see history.

Shorei-Kan Karate was brought to Canada in 1972 by Shihan Tomoaki Koyabu and is now headed in Canada by Shihan Vic Hargitt. Shihan Hargitt has had the privilege of training under Kaicho Seikichi Toguchi many times both here in Canada and in Japan. He received his Godan ranking at Hombu Dojo, Tokyo from Master Toguchi. Shihan Hargitt keeps in close contact with Japan by yearly visits and correspondence to our advisor, Masaru Nose Sensei of Chiba Dojo and International Shorei-Kai President (Kaicho) Ito Kozaburo of Hombu Dojo, Tokyo. Shihan Hargitt has also trained many times with Hideki Ikihara Sensei in Kin, Okinawa. He attended the Okinawan World Karate and Kobudo Pre Tournament in 1995 and then attended the World Okinawan Karate and Kobudo Tournament in Naha in 1997. Shorei Kan Canada has been privileged to promote student exchange programs with both Okinawa and Tokyo Japan. Vic Hargitt Shihan holds the office of Vice President (Fukiu Kaicho) in Japan and is  the president (Kaicho) of the international dojo’s outside of Japan.

In Canada, Shorei-Kan is organized as a non profit organization, # S-17081. All money goes back for the benefit of the students . Black belts are expected to give back what they have received by donating their time to teach the junior students. This also keeps fees low so that our Shorei-Kan Karate is affordable to everyone. Each member dojo is a nonprofit organization with an elected board. Shorei-Kan Canada Karate Association is the umbrella organization under which each association runs. With this type of system the parents can participate and help with dojo functions. Shihan Hargitt still retains the final say in all matters and through him and the individual Shibuchos (chief instructors ) Shorei-Kan Canada remains pure in its teachings and traditions.