THE SCHOOL
A Lively Learning Experience
Here at Northwest Shito-Kai Karate, we offer our students an eclectic learning environment, filled with a variety of support and services. Ever since we got our start in 2002, Northwest Shito-Kai Karate has been instilling knowledge in students of the Campbell River area. With our sole instructor working with over 50 bold, young (along with several not so young) minds paired with small, rank-specific classes, NWSK Karate has the ability to give our students the tools needed to grow, succeed and commit to a life long study of Karate Do.
AFFILIATION: SHITO-KAI MURAYAMA CANADA
Shihan Sam Moledzki, 7th Dan WSKF Chief Instructor Shito-Kai Canada
SAM MOLEDZKI is the personal instructor of Sensei, Nikolaisen. Moledzki Sensei's introduction into the Martial Arts began in 1967 while studying boxing and competing as a member of the Midland Avenue Collegiate Gymnastic Team. He began practicing Karate-do under the instruction of Master Kei Tsumura at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Don Mills, Ontario.Mr. Moledzki's impressive fighting career started a short time later in 1968 where he competed at the 7th Canadian International Karate Championships and won 2nd Place in Kumite. Sensei's career was long and fruitful as a competitor. During 1991, Sensei Moledzki believed that in order to further develop his Karate-do, it was necessary to affiliate his Shito-ryu Karate group with a truly world class organization. He became affiliated with Master Kunio Murayama, 7th Dan, All-Japan Karate-Do Federation Shito-kai (Chairman of Referee Council of Mexico and Chief Technical Director of the Karate-do Shito-kai Mexico Association). Moledzki sensei was appointed 'Shihan' (Chief Instructor), Karate-do Shito-kai Murayama Canada.
**courtesy of Sam Moledzki**
www.shitoryu.org
Shihan Kunio Murayama, 8th Dan WSKF Continental America Chief Instructor
KUNIO MURAYAMA was born on June 31, 1944 in Miyagi, Japan. His education in Shito-ryu karate began in 1962 when he was enrolled at TOYO University Karate Club under the direction of Master Manzo Iwata a direct student of Grand Master Kenwa Mabuni founder of the Shito-Ryu Karate System. He received his 1st degree black belt in Shito-ryu Karate-do in 1963 and continued to train at the University even after he graduated with an economics degree in 1966. From 1966 through 1968 Kunio Murayama served as captain and coach at the Toyo University Karate Club.
His enthusiasm, hard work and diligent training allowed him to become "UCHI-DESHI" (live-in-disciple) under Master Manzo Iwata from 1968-1970, where he received his 'menkyo' (teaching certificate) directly from Master Iwata. During 1970, Master Iwata asked Murayama sensei to help further develop Shito-Ryu Karate-do by moving to Mexico and establishing a permanent facility in Mexico. Later that year Murayama sensei was appointed Technical Director of the Mexican National Karate Team that competed at the 1st. WUKO World Karatedo Championships, in Tokyo, Japan.
After returning from the WUKO World Championships, sensei Murayama continued to establish a good following and began teaching in Monterrey, Mexico.
**courtesy of Sam Moledzki**
www.shitoryu.org
THE EVOLUTION OF THE NOBLE DISCIPLINE OF SHITO-RYU KARATE-DO
The origin of today's four major Japanese karate-do systems can be traced to a group of islands known as the Ryukyu Island chain during the 18th century. Located between Japan (North-East), mainland China (West), and Taiwan (South-West), Okinawa, the largest of the islands had an indigenous martial art form that was being secretly practiced called 'TE' or 'HANDS'. This ideal location allowed Okinawa to be heavily influenced by an open cultural exchange with Asia, especially China. During this era, the secret method of 'TE' was combined with various Chinese martial arts fighting styles that evolved into a system referred to simply as 'TO-DE' or 'CHINESE-HAND'.
Three main areas eventually came into prominence on Okinawa as the centres for the practice of 'TO-DE'. They were, SHURI, the ancient capital city of Okinawa where the king and noble families lived, NAHA, a port town of business and commercial enterprise, and TOMARI, a village populated mostly by farmers, fisherman, and country people. Each location had developed a unique style of 'TO-DE'.
TOMARI
In Tomari, two great masters became important historical figures in the development TOMARI-TE. They were, Kokan Oyadomari (1831-1905) who taught Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945) and Kosaku Matsumora (1797-1898), who taught Ankoh Itosu (1830-1915).
NAHA
Naha's most famous master in the development of 'NAHA-TE' was Kanryo Higashionna (Higaonna, 1853-1915). He received instruction from master Arakaki (1840-1918). Master Higashionna taught many students including Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953), the founder of 'GOJU-RYU',and Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952), the founder of 'SHITO-RYU'. Kanryo Higashionna (Higaonna)(1853-1915)
SHURI
Pectin Sakugawa (1733-1815) Shuri's main teacher in the development of 'SHURI-TE' was master Sakugawa (1733-1815), who was widely known by the nickname of 'TO-DE SAKUGAWA'. He is believed to have received his instuction from Peichin Takahara and from a Chinese military attache‚ known as 'KU-SAN-KU', who was an expert in the art of 'Chinese-Boxing' and living in Okinawa around 1761. Tode Sakugawa's most prominent student was Sokon Matsumura (1809-1894) who was also Yasutsune 'Ankoh' Itosu's teacher.
The system of the Tomari region became absorbed into the Shuri and Naha systems because of lack of development in Tomari. This gradually left only two main systems, Shuri-te and Naha-te. Eventually, they were referred to as 'SHORIN' and 'SHOREI' respectively.
Ankoh Itosu:
was born in Shuri and became one of the most respected martial artists in Okinawa during the 19th century. Master Itosu was the first person to introduce 'TO-DE' into the Okinawa Dai Ichi Jr. High School and the Okinawa Teachers Jr. College school system. One of his great contributions to the art of 'TO-DE', was the firm belief of the importance of the development of person's character through the concentration on 'KATA' (form patterns) and 'BUNKAI' application practice.
Master Itosu also organized and systemized 'TO-DE' into a standard method of practice. When he first began teaching in the school system, the introduction of the kata Naihanchin was his preferred way to teach. He soon realized that this kata was far too advanced for the beginner, which lead to master Itosu creating a group of new kata, the PINAN's. The creation of 5 Pinan (alternate reading as HEIAN) kata was based on the kata called Kusanku and some other significant techniques. Master Itosu trained a great number of eminent karatemen, including Kentsu Yabu (1863-1937), Chomo Hanashiro (1869-1945), Gichin Funakoshi (1867-1957), Moden Yabiku (1880-1941), Kanken Toyama (1888-1966),Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945), Shinpan Shiroma (1890-1954), Anbun Tokuda (1886-1945) and Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952).
Kanryo Higashionna:
(alternate reading as HIGAONNA) was born in Naha in 1853. He began training in the martial arts with a Chinese Kempo stylist when he was around 16 years old. His fascination for this Chinese fighting-art form lead him to train in Foochow, China for approximately 15 years.
After returning to Okinawa, he was eventually convinced to teach his system of martial arts. It was during this period that he introduced the 'HARD' and 'SOFT' methods of training. Master Higashionna was renown for his great physical strength and his performance of the 'SANCHIN' kata. Kanryo Higashionna was also considered to be one of the most highly respected martial artists in Okinawa during the 19th century. Master Higashionna had many disciples among whom were his most dedicated, Chojun Miyagi (founder of GOJU-RYU), Juhatsu Kiyoda (founder of TOON-RYU), Kanken Toyama, and Kenwa Mabuni (founder of SHITO-RYU).
**Courtesy of Sam Moledzki**
www.shitoryu.org