The Yushinmon Family Expands to Panama
Panama Instruction & Inspection Visit
Beginning on March 23, SOKE Nakazaki visited Panama for a period of nine days. Departing hurriedly the day after the Bojutsu tournament, he traveled to instruct and inspect the Panama dojo led by Chief Shihan Omar. We are pleased to report on the visit.
Meeting with Senior Disciples
On March 24 local time, Yushinmon set foot in Panama for the very first time. Undeterred by the 14-hour time difference, SOKE immediately met with two Shihan who are close aides to Shihan Omar, hearing from them about the history of karate in Panama as well as their own karate journeys and aspirations.
The Panama group led by Shihan Omar continued practicing Shorinji-ryu Karate after leaving their previous organization, steadfastly following their own independent path.
Amid trial and error, and while being directly affected by COVID and other hardships, they continued their efforts under difficult circumstances.
In mid-January of this year, they expressed their wish to join Yushinmon, and after careful consideration, the visit to Panama was arranged on the aforementioned dates.
During this visit, it became clear that they hold Shihan Omar in deep respect and are sincerely committed to the future of their dojo.
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Welcomed at the airport by Shihan Emilio and Mr. Walter
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Meeting with Shihan Emilio and Mr. Walter
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Meeting with Shihan Rogelio, who came directly to the hotel from work (including schedule coordination)
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Brunch Meeting with Shihan Omar
Even before the establishment of Yushinmon, SOKE Nakazaki was well acquainted with Shihan Omar’s visit to Japan and knew of his wholehearted dedication to Karate from those days. Although Shihan Omar had not been in good health, the meeting was nevertheless made possible. Their conversation ranged widely, from memories of those earlier days to the development of Shorinji-ryu in Latin America and even the recent Yushinmon Bojutsu tournament.
As the head of Doto Shorinji-ryu Yushinmon, which upholds the directly transmitted Karate of Grand Master Tamotsu Isamu, SOKE Nakazaki officially recognized them as the new Panama Headquarters and pledged to build the future together as part of the Yushinmon family. Outside the venue, the vivid yellow blossoms of the Guayacán tree—said to have been planted by a Japanese chef longing for Japan’s cherry blossoms—were in full bloom, as if celebrating our unity.
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Meeting face-to-face with Shihan Omar
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Dojo Inspection & Instruction
SOKE Nakazaki visited the Miraflores Dojo in northern Panama City and inspected the instructors’ training session. He carefully observed kihon, kenshuho, and kata up through Bassai under the supervision of Shihan Omar, after which Soke personally instructed them in Yushinmon Karate techniques. From explaining the system of Yushinmon Karate as an Integrated Budo to the fundamental principles of mukae-uke/mukae-uchi, ryunen-dachi stance, and chudan-uke, the instruction was brief yet deeply focused on the essence of the art. Not only Shihan Rogelio but also the other instructors raised many questions. They were deeply impressed by the way SOKE Nakazaki continues to develop and inherit the Grand Master’s Karate, and their earnest desire to learn his techniques was clearly evident.
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Exchanging views with the Shihan and instructors of the Panama Headquarters
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Authorization of Headquarters Establishment & Certificate Presentation
After completing the series of inspections and meetings, SOKE Nakazaki granted Shihan Omar permission to establish the Panama Headquarters.
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Presentation of the official certificate authorizing the Panama Headquarters to Shihan Omar
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Seen off by the new Yushinmon family, they departed from Panama City’s Tocumen Airport on March 29 local time. After a journey of more than one full day, they safely returned to Japan on March 31 Japan time.
