This year marks the Kinotomi (乙巳) year, which comes once every 60 years in the traditional East Asian sexagenary calendar.
It symbolizes transformation, renewal, and revival.
It has now been exactly 60 years since SOKE NAKAZAKI began practicing Karate. Among the many students of Kaiso Tamotsu Isamu Sensei, he was referred to as the Kaiso’s final disciple. Carrying on Kaiso’s aspirations, he has devoted himself to preserving and transmitting the tradition (dōtō).
In this year of renewal, we press forward with new challenges. Amid such a spirit, the 4th BO-JUTSU tournament was held.From the very first round, this year’s tournament was filled with high-level performances, so close in quality that it was difficult to judge superiority. SOKE advised that judging skills should be further refined and that keen observation should be cultivated.
Judges must make decisions with fairness, transparency, promptness, and precision. They must also hold a deep awareness of how the legitimacy of the style is being preserved and whether it can be passed on to future generations.
We are pleased to present the results and photographs from this year’s tournament.
Opening Ceremony
Adovisor: Masuda Hiroyasu
Kuramoto Mika Sensei
SOKE's Greetings
Athlete's Oath: Takeshita Tamotsu 4th dan He has been training for 24 years, returned to a beginner’s mindset and, for the first time, took the oath at this tournament.
Judge's Note: Konoki Shihan
Performance
GOJUSHIHO and BASSAI by Junior High 2nd Grades
OSHIRO-NO-KON by Junior High Representatives
TOKUMINE-NO-KON by Ono Shihan
KUSHANKU by Junior High Representatives: Yamada Miho 2nd dan and Inaba Honami 3rd dan
※There are five or six different versions of the kata known as KUSHANKU, but the version we practice was originally taught by Yonaha Seigyu Sensei, a student of Kiyatake Chōtoku Sensei. It was then further developed and refined by Tamotsu Isamu Sensei of the Shōrinji-ryū lineage, who added his own insights and innovations. （It is important to note that Shōrin-ryū as taught by Shimabukuro Sensei and Shōrinji-ryū as taught by Nakazato Sensei belong to different lineages.）
Men's Kata
After the men’s matches, SOKE NAKAZAKI directly provided hands-on instruction.
Women's Kata
After the women’s matches, SOKE also gave direct guidance, focusing on Uchi-komi and Riai of BO.
