Karate

The word karate is a combination of two Japanese characters. Kara, meaning empty, and te, meaning hand. Karate can be practiced as an art (budō), self defence, or as a combat sport.

Karate practice is divided into three elements:
  • Kihon: This is the beginning, or roots, of your karate-do.  Punching, striking, kicking, and blocking are the building blocks of karate, and must be practiced regularly to create a strong foundation for Shotokan karate.​
  • ​Kata: These are the "forms" or "patterns" practiced in karate.  Kata are the formal exercises of karate which simulate defence against multiple imaginary opponents.
  • Kumite: Kumite is the sparring portion of karate practice. Students train with a partner, and strive to develop strong, committed attacks and powerful defences

Kobudo

element_settings.Image_30621876.defaultSensei Hiroshi Yoshimura (8th Dan)

​It is a popular belief that Okinawan farming tools evolved into weapons due to restrictions placed upon the peasants by the Satsuma samurai clan, which forbade them from carrying arms.  As a result, they were defenseless and developed a fighting system around their traditional farming tools, which evolved into what we now call Kobudo.

The Hinode Dojo practices kobudo under the guidance of the Ryukyu Kobudo Shinkokai, which was founded by Minowa Katsuhiko Sensei and was originally part of Taira Shinken Sensei’s  Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai.

In 2003 Minowa sensei passed away and Yoshimura Hiroshi sensei (8th dan) took over as director.  At the main HQ dojo in Naze, Amami Oshima, students are taught Uechi-ryu Karate-do along with the traditional weapons and kata of Ryukyu Kobudo including bo, sai, niccho kon, nunchaku, tonfa, tikko, ticchu, kama, tinbe, eku, and suruchin.
© Hinode Shotokan Karate Club