ALBERTA SHITO-RYU ITOSU-KAI

KARATE & KOBUDO ASSOC.

NEWSLETTER  

Last Updated March 18, 2009

30 Years of Dojo Kun

September 15, 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of teaching Itosu Ryu Karate in Alberta. It is a milestone in more ways than one and definitely time for some introspection. When I started the club in Edmonton at the bequest of Tsumura Shihan all I wanted was a place to continue working out. After training in Toronto with Shihan, I wanted to continue our brand of Karate in Edmonton somehow. Anyone that has tried to train alone knows how hard it is and unless you’re a special person, almost impossible. It took me 9 months to research how the martial arts worked in Edmonton, which club (s) was legit, did I really want to start my own thing and the list goes on and on. Needless to say none of them represented to me what I had come to expect so the Edmonton club was started; simple as that with the Londonderry Community League.

One of the things that drew me to Karate and in particular our style of Karate was the man leading the club in Toronto. From the first time I met him and right up to today he has represented to me the epitome of all a martial artist should be; calm, cool, in control and most importantly humble. He was always expounding on martial art philosophy, he read voraciously and held forth on a variety of subjects. I learned a lot from him and still do to this day.

One area that he taught me way back when and recently re-introduced is “Dojo Kun”. If you’re asking, “what is that?” you obviously haven’t read the back of your Itosu Kai membership card. You need to do so now. I am referring to that little blurb on the back that is clearly marked “Dojo Precepts”. They are quite simple words to live by inside and out side the dojo.

One, to value respect and courtesy,

One, to be revered through possession of a moral heart,

One, to refrain from intemperate speech or action,

One, to mutually trust and complement,

One, to never relinquish the spirit of the ultimate path

They are all “numbered” as one because none is more important than the next or the preceding. The words hold forth whether you are in a dojo or out and if you truly read them you will find meaning and strength from the words. The precept that stands out for me is the third “One, to refrain form intemperate speech or action”. As our economy falters, jobs lost and families effected, we have the unique opportunity to be a haven in all of this chaos and offer a modicum of civility, courtesy and mutual respect that isn’t always present in our lives today. Let’s try and remember that everyone comes to Karate for different personal reasons and not all are there to practice till they drop, train so hard that human frailty is forgotten and injuries occur, and most importantly go home feeling worse than when they arrived. Injuries are a fact of life in any percussive activity and no one is immune to them, but injuries that are caused by a fellow Karate-Ka in anger or in frustration is not in keeping with our precepts.

Back in 1979 when we started there was no need to carry liability insurance. We were a non-profit club and while we practiced under the umbrella of a Community League, we did not need it. In recent years due to numerous incidents in other martial arts, pugilistic and organized sports we now have to carry a multi-million dollar insurance policy to carry on our activities. It is not a “license” to train harder or injure other students because they signed a waiver form. It’s very important we all recognize the risk and the responsibility we carry as students and instructors of a legitimate martial art. Read the Dojo Precepts. It’s simple, easy to read and it works. We read it at every class. I encourage you to do the same.

Yours in Karate-Do

Joe Barrau, Chief Instructor,

Godan-Karate, Yondan-Kobudo

Alberta Shito Ryu Itosu Kai Karate

Alberta Fall Invitational Tournament

The Devon dojo will be hosting the Alberta Fall Invitational Tournament on November 8th, 2008. The tournament will consist of Kata, Team Kata, Kumite and Kobudo. To compete in this tournament you must be a member in good standing of Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai or an invited guest. The tournament will be held at the Robina Baker school in Devon from 10:00 - until we are done. With the very large number of returning students we expect this to be a very competitive, exciting tournament. We look forward to your seeing you all there.

Welcome Back 

To all the new students we say welcome and to all the returning students welcome back. We have very busy year planned. There will be a few students ranking to Shodan and Shodan-ho as well new and old students advancing through their kyu grades. A number of tournaments are planned within our association and few outside our organization. Classes are at Elmwood are running year long, classes at the St. Albert dojo will start September 20th, September 24th at the Greenfield dojo and September 23rd in Devon. We look forward to another very successful year. 

Summer Classes

Summers classes were held at the Elmwood dojo and in Devon at the Devon community hall this year. The turn out was modest but the students were very dedicated. The small numbers gave us the opportunity to focus on a number of different Kobudo weapons. These included Bo, Tonfa and Nunchaku. A very special thanks to all the senior instructors that took the time out of their summer to teach.

Canadian National 2008 Spring Tournament

Once again Alberta sent a team to Toronto to compete and make us all proud. This tournament saw competitors from  Argentina, India, Ireland and Japan. On the Sunday following the tournament Alberta students were able to rank for the next rank. Congratulations to all the students, we are all proud of your efforts and accomplishments. As an additional attraction the Alberta team put on a demonstration of the throws of Mabuni during the half time break.

In the Senior Men's Kata Juan Molina took the Silver medal, Ernesto Molina took the 4th place and  Jordan Swanston placed fifth. Edguardo Molina placed fourth in Senior Men's Kumite. Andrea Molina placed 4th for kumite in her division. Britney Wangler placed 1st in kumite and 3rd in kata in her division. Edguardo Molina received the Sportsmanship award and Sensei's Joe Barrau and Brian Taylor received the outstanding coaches award.

Congratulation to following students who ranked at this tournament:

Brian Murphy ranked to Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt) in Karate

Kyle Murphy ranked to Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt) in Karate

Kyle Murphy ranked to Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt) in Kobudo.

Ernesto Molina ranked to Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt) in Karate

Kevin Trotman ranked to Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt) in Kobudo.

Brian Taylor ranked to Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt) in Kobudo.

Bob Taylor ranked to Yondan (4th Dan Black Belt)  in Karate

Tony Baller  ranked to Sandan (3rd Dan Black Belt) in Kobudo.

Joe Barrau ranked to Yondan (4th Dan Black Belt) in Kobudo.

Canadian National 2007 Fall Tournament

Once again Alberta sent a team to Toronto to compete and make us all proud. This tournament was very special, competitors from a Argentina, Italy, India and Japan joined in the competition. It was truly  an event to behold. On the Sunday following the tournament Alberta students were able to rank for the next rank. Congratulations to all the students, we are all proud of your efforts and accomplishments. 

In the Senior Men's Kumite Juan Molina took the Silver medal, Ernesto Molina took the Bronze medal Edguardo Molina placed fourth, Jordan Swanston placed fifth and Troy Kowalski placed sixth. In the Intermediate Men's Kumite Cecil Hardy took the Bronze medal. Cecil also placed fourth in  the Intermediate Men's Kata.

Congratulation to Shodan Ho Troy Kowalski he ranked to Shodan (1st Dan Black belt). 

Manatisowin Cultural Society 9th Annual Friendship Tournament

Congratulations to everyone that attended and competed in 9th Annual Friendship Tournament. The competition  was fierce and the competitors put their heart and soul into it. We are very proud of all the competitors. 

Congratulations are in order

Congratulations to Sensei Joe Barrau on receiving his 5th Dan. There is a very limited amount of instructors in Canada that put in the dedication and devotion to karate to achieve the rank of Godan. We are proud to have Sensei Joe Barrau and all his efforts for the Alberta clubs. Congratulations also go out to Sensei Tony Baller on ranking to his Nidan in Kobudo. The Kobudo ranks are even rarer then our black belt rankings. Shihan Kei Tsumura currently hold the Godan rank in Kobudo, a rank that is rare throughout the world and recognized internationally. Any student of Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai that attains a Kobudo rank from Shihan Kei Tsumura is recognized with the same esteem. Last but not least Juan and Edgardo Molina also received their 1st Dan. After a grueling 5 hour ranking in Edmonton they went to Toronto to compete in the Canadian National tournament and had the pleasure of ranking in Toronto again. We are confidant that they truly earned their rank.

The Itosu Kai Family In Alberta

The Beginning

After reading the article that Tsumura Shihan wrote for last year’s Spring Tournament newsletter, I was moved to the point of reflecting my history as well as the history of Shitoryu Itosu Kai in Alberta.  History is what made us who and what we are.   

My martial arts background is somewhat checkered with my high-school days spent building cars, destroying engines and actually practicing some judo that was being offered at the school by one of the teachers.  After graduating from high-school I attended Seneca College in the east end of Toronto for two years where I spent (on and off) some time studying what was to me the beginning of a 36 year relationship with Itosu Kai Karate.  To be perfectly truthful my attendance was circumspect the two years at Seneca and I didn’t attain any ranks, mainly because I didn’t work all that hard at it.  It was cool to wear a gi and air-conditioned in the gym where classes were held.

In 1974 I switched colleges and attended Humber in Toronto’s west end, graduating;  finally,  2 years later and started my working career.  A good friend of mine, Steven Bignell had started karate classes at the  club on Six Points Road and dragged me to classes.  I can honestly say I haven’t strayed far ever since with little more than a week or two’s break in the past 30 years.  It was in the following year that my job moved me to Alberta, Edmonton to be exact.  A fellow Karate-ka, Barry Menary had moved out prior to me and I was “asked” by Shihan to contact Barry upon arrival to possibly open a club.

 After a lot of begging,  whining and  determined leg work I managed to convince a community league in the north-east end of Edmonton to run a Karate class along with their regular programs like hockey, baseball and Brownies/Beavers (it wasn’t easy let me tell you, the little guys ruled the washroom where we changed for classes!).  After a bunch of begging, whining and determined leg work  with Barry Menary, we started the first class of Shitoryu Itosu Kai in Alberta on September 15^th, 1979.  In those days Barry Menary’s job  had him traveling the province for the bank he worked for, so most classes were left up to me.  If anyone wants to know how hard the students were pushed the first couple of years of classes in Alberta, just take a look at Mario DiLullo, the only SURVIVING member of that first class and still teaching today! 

 At the time we started the class, it was virtually a Karate wasteland in Edmonton with a handful of questionable practitioners actively teaching here.  It was discouraging because everyone out here that had set up shop claimed a higher rank than us, charged far more than us and gave out ranks like candy.  The fakes and phonies are part of the martial arts community no matter where you go. Edmonton seems to have had more than it’s share in those years.  I recall one time I had gone to Toronto in the early years (1981) during a particularly hot July and was spending a couple of weeks with Shihan working out, learning new kata and getting rejuvenated and recharged.  Tsumura Shihan sensed my discouragement and said to me “Don’t practice Karate for the rank, practice for the love of the art. Practice it with passion, not indifference. Practice Karate because you want to, not because you have to.”  Words to live by then and now.

The Middle

 Classes have come and gone in Edmonton, but we can proudly say we have taught in Greenfield for over 20 years.  We taught at Blue Quill Hall for over 25 years, we’re still in St Albert teaching at Wildrose School  after 27 years and in the town of Devon for over 20 years.  We have seen lots of births, even some deaths in our Itosu Kai family, the odd divorce and marriages to offset them, graduations, career moves and even some retirements.  We still teach predominantly through Community groups and schools and we are proud to say,  been there when an emergency arose and we had students that did not have food or presents on the table  for Christmas.  Like any family we pitched in, and took care of things the way a family should.

We have had entire families take part in our classes.  The Taylor family is a prime example.  Cheryl Taylor started in 1983.  Less than a year later her Father, Bob joined.  He was tired of being beat up by his 15-year-old daughter when she came home form class and practiced on him.  We also saw her brothers; Mark and Brian join the club.  Brian at age 5 and still with us over 20 years later and actively teaching and Mark still traveling the world on a cruise ship somewhere in the Caribbean and visiting Karate clubs all over the world.  Bob’s wife, Lynn has also partaken but as she put it; “ you guys make me sweat too much”. We’ve had all 4 of the Molina’s in our classes since they were 6 and 7.  After a hiatus of 5 years three of them (Juan, Edgardo and Ernesto) are back and working out like they never left.  Students that started out, as kids themselves have grown up, gotten educated and are now attending classes with their own children in tow.  Last year at the 2005 spring tournament, Tony Baller took 1^st place in the Senior Men’s Black Belt kata; his son Josh took a second in Kata in Intermediate Boys Kata.  If it was good enough for them…you know the rest.   A few of our members have gone on to become peace officers, Karen Cryer to the RCMP and Mario DiLullo to the Edmonton Police Service and we have senior members of the police force like Sean Seville partaking in the classes right along side his two sons.

2005 saw us start a club in my neighborhood; again, for the community, in the community.  It also saw some of our students from way back when return to the fold.  The Itosu Kai family continues to amaze me and keep my fires burning.  Like Shihan said over 25 years ago, “Do it because you want to, not because you have to.”

The Future

 Who can say what the future holds for us.   Due to the regulation of the insurance industry in Alberta, most municipalities have instituted liability requirements that put the cost of our classes up.  It used to be easy to run a non-profit sports group in Alberta and teach world-class level martial arts to all walks of life.  We are now looking to rejoin Karate Alberta which offers an umbrella insurance component for far less than private insurance can or will.  Cost is minimal and the added benefits to our group are more than justified. 

 2006 sees our organization growing by the re-start of the Calgary club under the auspices of Dave Mercer, assisted by David Martin and Jakub Ksiazek, a former student from our Greenfield club in Edmonton now practicing law in Calgary (yes, he signed a waiver form, one he developed for us, 3 pages in length!!).   

 We are also pleased to announce the affiliation of the Manatisowin club with our association.  Both the Alberta Association and the executive of the Manatisowin group felt it was time to pool resources and act as a unified group teaching Itosu Kai Karate in Alberta.  The club brings a wealth of knowledge to our group and with their joining; we will have two 5^th Dans instead of one, three 4^th Dans instead of  two and  five functioning clubs instead of four.  For those of you that are curious,  in Canada there are only twelve  5^th Dans living that are teaching Itosu Kai.  5^th Dans constitute less than 1 % of the traditional Karate world, 4^th Dans 5% and 3^rd Dans being in the top 10%.  If you check with the so-called martial arts clubs around the province you’ll find plenty of 12 yr old 1^st ,2^nd and 3^rd Dans;  you’ll also find practitioners wearing belts with multiple stripes and claiming to be world champions or those that profess to “teach you how to kill in a single blow” rather than how to defend yourself.  The top ranks don’t usually come easy and if you ever get the chance to go to Japan you’ll find practitioners asking you how long you have been practicing Karate, not what rank you are.  The ranks are about experience and time put in, not about “ how you were still standing after ranking for 5 days and the instructor figured that you should get a Dan rank for every day you ranked or how many fighters you knocked down” as was reported on one web-site I tripped across one night.  Bizarre to hear about it, even more so to see it in writing.  

“Don’t practice Karate for the rank, practice for the love of the art. Practice it with passion, not indifference. Practice Karate because you want to, not because you have to.   Kei Tsumura, 1981”

Yours in the spirit of Karate-do

Joe Barrau ,  5^th Dan, Karate, 2^nd Dan, Kobudo

Chief Instructor-Alberta

Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai Canadian Championship

Congratulations to all of the competitors that competed in the Canadian Championship on Saturday Apr 29, 2006 at the 

Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. You were up against some of the best karate practitioners in Canada. We are very proud of the students and Sensei's that represented the Alberta dojo's. 

" 25 years of teaching Shito Ryu Karate in Alberta"

Welcome back to all of our returning students.  This fall marks our 25th year of teaching Shitoryu Karate in Alberta.  Little did I know 25 years ago what I was getting into, I was just looking for a place to work out and not change what I practiced.  Since that time we've seen marriages within the group, births, deaths and even divorces.  Through it all the Itosu Kai family pulled together, helped each other move,  attended graduations, played golf, helped a needy family at Christmas time so that 5 kids had gifts under the tree and food in the fridge.  We've gone to Ireland, South America, Japan and Australia to visit associated dojo's.  We've attended provincial, national and international tournaments and made friends all over the world and Canada.

One of our first students (Mario DiLullo) is graduating from the Edmonton Police Services training program fulfilling his life-long dream of becoming a police officer.  Another of our members (Karen Cryer) is graduating as an RCMP officer at about the same time.  All too soon one of them will be handing out a ticket to one of us for speeding........and who's going to argue with one of our black belts?

On a more reflective note this fall also marks a sad day for Itosu Kai in Canada.  Two senior instructors (30 years plus), Frank Robinson-5th Dan and Tony Agnello-5th Dan passed away due to cancer.  Both men were friends of mine and fellow instructors.  Frank ran his own dojo for many years in Meaford, most recently at the head club in Toronto and Tony ran the club in Parry Sound.  Both of these men exhibited grace and dignity in life and as things went bad due to the cancer, they showed even more.  They passed away with family, friends and the Itosu Kai family at their sides.  Hombu even had a "Celebration of Life" at the dojo to allow their fellow students and instructors to remember these men in the environment they so loved and lived.

All this being said, it is our 25th Anniversary in Alberta as of September 15, 2005.  Lot's has happened over the years and lot's more to come. The important thing to remember is we are a family in the true sense of the word and there is always someone there for you.  Practice whatever  you want to practice, but do it with passion, don't just walk through it.  Have fun at what you do but do it well.  This doesn't have to mean technically well, it means do the best YOU can.  Measure yourself not against others but against yourself.

Our clubs are all starting up over the next month and we even have a new club starting hopefully in the west end close to home (for me).  Times and dates will be posted on the web site as will contact names and numbers.  Feel free to meander from club to club to get a taste of different instructor's styles of teaching.  It never hurts to get  shown variations on the same theme and remember to have fun.

Yours in the spirit of Itosu-Kai
Joe Barrau, Godan- Karate, Nidan-Kobudo
Chief Instructor, Alberta Shitoryu Itosu-kai Karate & Kobudo Association

Alberta 25th Anniversary

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Shito-ryu Itosu-kai karate in Alberta. During the last 25 years literally thousands of students have learned and gone on to teach Karate in the Edmonton and surrounding areas. We've seen national champions come from our ranks, international competitors, local and regional champions. We our proud of each and every one of our students over the last 25 years. With your continued enthusiasm, support and future Black Belts we will continue on for many more years to come. 

A Message from Kei Tsumura Shihan

On behalf of Itosu-Kai Canada, Congratulations on the 25th Anniversary of the Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai Association of Alberta. It has been a pleasure to watch the growth and development of your Association over the years.

To Joe Barrau, Tony Baller, Mario Dillullo, Brian Taylor, Andy Funie, Karen Cryer, Pat Buhrs, all other Black Belts, Students and Volunteers, Thank you for your many hours not only in the Dojo, but in the difficult job of running an organization of this nature. I wish you many more years of success.

Best wishes to all competitors gathered here to celebrate in this 25th Anniversary Tournament.

Yours in Karatedo

Kei Tsumura

Shihan

Itosu-Kai Canada

Alberta 25th Anniversary Invitational Tournament

The Alberta Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai Karate & Kobudo Association held a tournament to commemorate the 25th  anniversary of karate in the Edmonton area. Competitors from Greenfield, St. Alberta, Manatisowin and the Devon Dojo's competed together. Over 50 students and instructors were in attendance. Everyone had a great time competing and meeting students from other Dojo's. We are very proud of everyone that competed and gave it their best. Tournament results can be found on the tournament web page and pictures on the on the tournament pictures web page. There will be other tournaments in the future  for you to take what you learned this day.

Trial Class

If you are curios about our style of martial arts please stop in for a class to try it out. We would be happy to answer any of your questions and let you join a class to see it you are interested in joining. We strongly encourage an active participation trial, just make sure you are wearing comfortable loose fitting clothing. 

News from Japan

Fumio Demura was officially expulsed from Japan Karatedo Itosu-kai on November 1, 2001. A copy of the official reasons for the expulsion can be found at expulsion.htm . According to the news release from Japan the reasons for his expulsion were related to the issuing of unauthorized Dan certificates (Black Belt ranks), failing to communicate with Japan regarding Itosuryu of Itosu-kai Karatedo techniques and failing to communicate with the Itosu-kai international Head Office. This expulsion prohibits him from using the names Japan Karatedo Itosu-kai and Itosuryu, the Itosu-kai logo, and anything symbolizing itosu-kai.

For a listing of recognized practitioners of Itosu-Kai karate please visit the  Nippon Karate-do Itosu-Kai website. All of the clubs associated with the Alberta Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai Karate and Kobudo Association as well as the Manatisowin Cultural Society are recognized practitioners in Alberta.

Words of Wisdom???

The Alberta Shito-ryu Itosu-kai Karate and Kobudo Association has been in existence for over 20 years. In that time we have evolved from a single club teaching out of the North Lion's Senior Citizens Centre to 4 operating clubs. At one time we operated 6 clubs in Alberta, one in Calgary and 5 in Edmonton. Evolution happens regardless of whether or not people want things to change. Interest in the Martial Arts has softened. At one time Karate was the sport of choice, now it is only the truly interested devotee that signs up for our brand of "Japanese Aerobics". All kidding aside, it takes a very determined person to start the study of a traditional martial art, and an even more

determined one to stick it out. This year marks our 23nd anniversary of teaching our style of Karate in Alberta. When the club first started out, a young lad named Mario DiLullo showed up at our 1st class and I am proud to say, is still actively teaching today. Last week I had the pleasure of watching a band tribute to the Beatles led by another first class student, Rob MacKroth. From a teacher's respective, there is nothing more gratifying than to watch and to see young people grow up and become disciplined young adults. Am I saying Karate had anything with their turning out to be good adults? You bet!! Are there more people worth mentioning that karate has had an influence on growing up? Certainly! Way too many for this short article. I am looking forward to the next 20 years. 

Joe B. Barrau, Chief Instructor

Alberta Shito-ryu Itosu-kai Karate and Kobudo Association

On a very proud note

On Nov. 5, 2000 Sensei Jakub Ksiazek prevented a suspect from leaving the scene of a crime after the suspect tried to murder a woman by pushing her into the path of an oncoming LRT train. Sensei Jakub held the suspect at the scene until security arrived. It was a very courageous action and we are very proud of him.

What the Words Mean

Osu – This is that strange sound we make you say when you bow, and when you want to say yes.  We use to mean “hello”, “goodbye” “yes”, “ok”, or “I understand.”  The word is formed from 2 parts.  The character used for “O” means to push, and symbolizes 100% effort.  The 2 characters “SU” means to endure.  Combined, Osu is a pledge to do one’s very best and to endure.  However, the “SU” by itself can also mean “to be silent”, and the Japanese character is made up of two parts meaning “blade” and “heart.”  The Japanese idea of endurance then, means being silent, even if your heart is cut with a blade.  It is very natural for people to look for positive reinforcement for their efforts in life.  Karate is very different though.  It involves a lot of self-reflection, which is more concerned with irrefutable truths than with rewards.  Each time you say osu in class, you are promising to work hard and to endure.  If you can say it honestly and with pride each time, you can be sure you are doing very well. We’ll see you in the dojo. Osu!