The Official Dojo Newsletter/JKS Connecticut

-January 2018- The purpose of this newsletter is to strengthen the Dojo community by informing the students of past events, the state of

the Dojo, and what is being planned for the future. It will also contain interesting facts about Karate, a message from Sensei,

and other informative content. Please remember to log onto our website www.actkarate.com or follow us on facebook at

facebook.com/ryokubi.

Past Events (Saikin no Dekigoto):

I. 2017 Fall Tournament

The Ryokubi Dojo is proud to announce that we had a successful intra-dojo tournament on November 18th, . A

total of 15 students participated in Kumite (Sparring). We had 3 Divisions based on age. The winners of those

divisions were: Division I Champion (7-8): Magnus Smail Division II Champion (9-10): Miller Smail Division III: Clay Garrett

We are looking forward to the Spring 2018 Season which starts on the first Wednesday of January. We expect

everyone to keep attending this fun class. If you are new to the dojo, please ask about this class

Fall 2017 Group Tournament Photo

II. Sensei’s Japan Trip

Sensei Joe-Joe went to Japan (11/23-12/4) to attend the JKS International Seminar held at the Sogo Budokan at

Teikyo Daigaku in Hachioji. There were over 300 karate-ka’s from around the world, many of them Sensei’s old

friends. It was vigorous sparring and kata for 3 days. Kagawa Sensei (Chief Instructor/Shuseki Shihan) taught

on Friday and went over the advanced Kata’s, Meikyo and Hangetsu. Kagawa Sensei then taught fighting

techniques. Saturday, Uriu Sensei (9th dan) went over Asai-ha Kata. The day ended with 3 hours of sparring

nonstop. Sunday was dedicated to promotion tests, judging and examination qualification tests.

Australia Indonesia, UAE, and India Kagawa Sensei at Branch Manager Party

Sensei also got to travel to the northern island of Hokkaido. There was a lot of snow. There is a very beautiful

town called Otaru, famous for glass-making, chocolates, and seafood. The seafood they are famous for is

abalone (awabi) and crab (kegani).

Sensei with cute statue Sensei’s favorite-Uni Delicious Seafood Famous Otaru Canal Nice Glass Shop

III. Halloween Party

The Halloween Party was a few months ago. We had over 30 students and their family/friends attend. There

were so many great costumes and the energy from the students was electric. The most beautiful thing about

the event was how everyone interacted with each other, how they ran activities and games together, regardless

of age. The hope is to run a Halloween Party every year.

Kayla I think this is Leo Games with Frankie and Scarlett Eating with Shreyas, Adele, Ameja

What is happening NOW (Ima Okiteiru Koto):

I. Monday classes will resume for Spring of 2018. From 6:15pm-7pm Kids Kobudo will be taught for any

students Blue Belt or higher (see below for more details). There will be an Open Class from 7pm to 8pm for

Green Belts and higher only. There will be no instruction or supervision. Students must use this opportunity

to train on their own. Focus on good basics: stances, kicks, kata, hikite, suri-ashi. Advanced students help out

lower ranking students to review and improve their own techniques. This class does not replace regularly

instructed class. 7pm-8:15pm Blackbelt classes will be taught on Judo mats.

II. Beginner Kobudo class (6:15pm-7pm): Kobudo is the art of Japanese/Okinawan weaponry. In the Beginner

Kobudo class, students will be taught the art of bojutsu (wooden staff). There is a fee for this class of $25 a

month that goes to the Yanagawa-Ryu Renmei; however, the first trial class is for free. This class will be open

to Blue belts and higher. I highly encourage students to try out this fun and interesting program. All bo’s will

be provided for until they reach advanced level. Please sign up for free trial class.

III. Judo Class: Judo is the art of throwing and pinning. Beginning Judo-ka’s will learn how to breakfall (ukemi)

properly then to ensure a safe training regime. The Ryokubi Dojo follows the United States Judo Association

curriculum, and will gear this class towards competition. Classes will be Tuesday and Thursday (6:30-7:10pm).

Any student can try out. There is no fee for this class, but a Judo gi must be purchased after a trial session.

Note: This class will only open if 4 or more students sign-up.

IV. Kumite Class: Spring Kumite Class is upon us already! Anyone can sign up that is yellow belt and higher.

After each kumite season, we have a fun tournament. Usually, whoever attends the Kumite class becomes

Dojo Champion. Classes are from 6:15-7pm every Wednesday. This is a fun and exciting class, but spaces are

limited, so please contact Sensei if you are interested in joining.

Future Events (Korekara no Yotei):

I. In February, there is a special day of the year called “Kyushogatsu”. We will be holding a special party for all

the students and their family on the 17th. What is so unique about our Dojo is our diversity and the many

different cultures that come together to train in karate. So, in honor of this day, we will be doing a “potluck”

dinner, where everyone from their respective nationality can bring a small dish for everyone to try. The Potluck

Party will start at 6pm and end around 8pm.

II. In April, we are planning our first Annual Dojo Fitness Competition. This event will be held on one of the

Saturdays to be announced. Each student will be broken up by age and tested in the categories of strength,

endurance and agility. A fitness trophy will be awarded to first-place winners in each of the Age Groups. This

event is designed to encourage everyone to be fit and healthy. There will be a party afterwards.

Important Announcements:

I. The Ryokubi Dojo began in the year of 1999, and we have been at 215 Hope Street since 2005. We love being

here, and it has been our home for over 12 years. However, because of the parking situation we had to keep

our class size to a small number. With the rising cost of rent/utilities, and because I made a promise to my

students that I will not raise tuition until 2021, the Dojo has been losing money every month. We will try and

stay in Glenbrook, and hopefully it will be within a mile radius of our current location. We are currently

considering a couple of spots (just down the road) that will offer abundant parking and easy access to and from

the Dojo. But in order for the Dojo to survive, we must increase enrollment. Being a non-profit, we are not

looking to make money from the dojo, but for the past 4 years Sensei Joe-Joe and Sensei Mikiko have been

funding most of the Dojo’s expenses from their own pockets.

II. Dojo Parking: The biggest issue we have with the dojo is our parking and the pick-up/drop-off situation has

been horrendous. While we remain at 215 Hope Street, please park at CVS and walk your children to the Dojo

if you can. The Senseis need to make a better effort to end the class on time so that parents can immediately

drop off and pick up their kids on time.

III. Last class will change to 7:15-8:15pm to help ease the parking situation beginning January 2018.

Words from Sensei:

Greetings, everyone! First I want to thank all my students for their continued support and dedication to the

Ryokubi Dojo. It is an honor to teach you the beautiful art of Shotokan. I know it is hard work, and I ask all of

you to “isshyoukenmei” (try your best). I demand a lot, and it is very difficult to live up to the standards set

forth by our Organization, the Japan Karate Shoto Renmei (JKS). When I was attending the International Seminar

in Tokyo, many people failed their Shodan test. I felt bad because they travelled so far and spent so much

money. It was not their fault, but the fault of their Sensei for not preparing them properly. Whenever I return

to Japan, I am reminded how good the techniques and movements must be in order to achieve Shodan (first

degree Blackbelt) in our system. This is what drives me to make you the best student you can be. I want you

all to become Blackbelts, not because belts are important, but because being a Blackbelt means something: you

are an expert. I see many, many schools where the students wear black belts that would not even be qualify to

be a Blue Belt in our dojo. This does not make sense to me because the belt you wear is supposed to signify the

level of skill you have. You must have the knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge to truly be

respected and proud of the rank you wear. And I know that if you succeed in the Dojo, you can overcome any

obstacle and reach any goal you hope to attain in life. Again, thank you all for continuing your Karate journey

with me. Osu! –Sensei Joe-Joe

Quote of the Month:

“The true aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants” –Gichin Funakoshi,

founder of Shotokan Karate-do

Birthdays! (Tanjobi):

The following people are celebrating their birthdays in January. Please wish them “Happy Birthday!” or “Tanjobi

Omedeto!” when you see them.

Anna Ryzner (1rst), Delores DaSaliva (8th), Justin Belinker (10th), Eric Ciocci (13th), Hahnsooh Zhu from Tiger Cubs

(15th), Nathan Tadiashvili (21rst), Arsenii Gudenko (26th)

Final Thoughts:

I was thinking of dedicating any empty space to allow my students and their parents to advertise their business.

The Dojo is a community where students and their family help each other. And is it is always good to know a

good Doctor, Plumber, Accountant, Painter, Gardener, Dog Walker, etc. If you think this is a good Idea, let me

know.

Also, in the future, I would like to have one student volunteer to write a short article/story about their dojo,

karate, or life experience. It can be any relevant topic: a personal story, a funny occasion, a poem, a topic such

as bullying, etc. If you have any ideas, please speak to either Sensei Joe-Joe or Sensei Mikiko. Every month we

will be publishing a newsletter. Hopefully, this newsletter will improve with each month. If you have any ideas

or topics you would like to submit, please feel free to contact us. Remember, this is about you and the Dojo!