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| Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi |
Over the last year, Japan Karatedo Gojukai Association (JKGA) and International Karatedo Gojukai Association (IKGA) commemorated the 25th Anniversary of Kaiso Gogen Yamaguchi's passing with various events. JKGA's national tournament was held on August 23rd, and was held in memory of Gogen Yamaguchi.
On September 22nd, members from JKGA and IKGA participated in an exchange of international goodwill in attending the "Founder Gogen Yamaguchi Commemorative Master's Seminar". The seminar was held over the course of one week in both Tokyo, and in Matsumoto City in Nagano Prefecture, and on the final day (September 28th) over 200 members of IKGA and JKGA came together and celebrated by attending the Founder Gogen Yamaguchi 25th Commemorative Ceremony and Party.
Over 80 Shihan over from 19 countries, attended the Master's Seminar, developing deep bonds of friendship through the combined workshops and social gatherings. Seminars included training in traditional Gojuryu techniques, traditional Japanese martial arts, and lectures on the martial arts. In addition, members received training and instruction in the Gojukai Tokutei Katas Genkaku, Chikaku and Kouryu. The seminar was fun and created deep and meaningful memories.
In November 2014, Brazil hosted the IKGA South American Bloc Championships and Bloc Seminar. Other Blocs and countries had their own events as well. It was Kaiso Gogen Yamaguchi's dream that "Goju Ibuki" or the "Breath of Goju" would transcend race and borders, and it is wonderful that with these events his dream has been realized.
2015 marks International Karatedo Gojukai Association's 50th anniversary.
Planning is underway for the 7th IKGA World Championships. Championships will be held in the European Bloc in the United Kingdom, in the African Bloc in South Africa, and in the Asian Pacific Bloc in Indonesia, targeting the 7th IKGA World Championships in Vancouver, Canada to be held in 2017.
Players will challenge themselves at IKGA Bloc tournaments, and by representing their countries will experience national pride. Athletes should enjoy the experience and compete with all their heart.
The Japan Karatedo Gojukai Association (JKGA) national tournament will be held at Yoyogi Stadium on Saturday, July 24th 2015 - one month earlier than it is normally held. Please adjust your schedules if you are planning to attend this event.
In 2020 Tokyo will host the Olympics. Karate may be one step closer to being adopted as an Olympic sport event. I hope that IKGA and JKGA members continue to gain mutual understanding and confidence through everyday practice and competition. Also, please make it your aim to showcase the style and dignity of Gojukai Karatedo.
I hope that this year will be fruitful for all members, and also that country and Bloc tournaments will be successful leading up to the 2017 World Championships. It is my New Year's greeting that 2015 will be a year of solidarity for all members both domestic and international.
New Year Message for 2015: Extracted from"Sange Gaku Shou Shiki", a work by Hieizan Enryaku-ji temple founder Saicho (762 A.D - 822 A.D)
古に比叡山 曰く
Inishie ni Hieizan iwaku,
径寸（金銀財宝）は国宝にあらず
Kensui(Kingin zaihou) wa kokuhou ni arazu
”道心”あるは国の宝なり
'Doshin' aru wa kuni no takara nari
”一隅を照らす”は此れすなわち国宝なりと
'Ichiguu wo terasu' wa koresunawachi kokuhou nari to
我 空拳を献じて一条の光たらんと欲し 此処に佇まん
ware kuuken wo koujite ichijou no hikari taran to hosshi koko ni tatazuman.
Explanation
A National Treasure is not measured in gold or silver or material things, but rather in people that follow "Dou Shin" and "Ichiguu wo terasu".
Dou Shin - meaning a moral sense or the Way of the Heart and;
Ichiguu wo terasu - means "A corner is lit up" - Through one's own effort and earnest practice, your light will grow and shine brightly.
