All Black Belt instructors have nationally recognized Dan Ranks and are qualified to teach all levels of Karate across Canada.
KELOWNA TSURUOKA KARATE DOJO
Our founder, Mr. Masami Tsuruoka, with over 50 years of Karate experience, first introduced Karate to Canada in 1957. He held the rank of 10th Degree Black Belt before his passing in 2014, and is one of the very few people who have ever held that level. Mr. Tsuruoka is well known and respected in Karate circles around the world. 10th Dan is the highest belt ranking there is in existence, being reserved for those persons who have made an exceptional contribution to karate.
Our club is the oldest established traditional Karate club in Kelowna as well as being one of the original clubs in British Columbia. It was founded in 1971 by Mr. Warren Maurer. We have been part of the Parkinson Recreation Centre since its opening in 1971. We are also members of the National Karate Association, the sport governing body for Karate in which Mr. Tsuruoka was a Technical Advisor and past president.
TSURUOKA KARATE DOJO – SHOTOKAN STYLE
Karate is a Martial Art which utilizes explosive punches and kicks and utilizes the whole body as a weapon.
Students will be instructed in the basic stances, punches, blocks and kicks of TSURUOKA Karate. The first forms (Kata), which are a requirement for the first belt level grading, will also be taught.
Loose comfortable clothing (eg. sweat pants and T-shirt) is advisable. Karate uniforms (GI) are optional and are available through the club. Ask your instructor for details.
NOTE: (Addition for beginners)
It is recommended that you register for both nights to ensure that you progress as quickly as possible.
GENERAL HINTS FOR BEGINNERS
One of the most important principles of martial arts to remember is mutual benefit. By this, it is meant that all members are to help each other. So, don’t be reserved in asking for assistance or advice no matter how trivial you may think your question sounds.
In training, don’t expect good results in a short time. Karate training may extend over one’s entire life so there is no need for haste. In the study of any subject, little is to be gained from haphazard training, and thus, particularly in a martial art such as Karate, steady, unremitting training is required.
Many people train furiously in Karate initially, but lose their enthusiasm even before the end of the first year. Clearly, very little good can be gained from such sporadic training. Similarly, heavy training before the body is properly conditioned can result in injury to the body. For this reason, train systematically, without becoming impatient or overexerting yourself, and develop gradually, advancing steadily, one step at a time.
DOJO RULES
1. Aggressive behaviour inside or outside the DOJO will not be tolerated.
2. No one will be allowed to leave the DOJO once training has commenced.
3. If you are late for class, sit quietly in the back of the DOJO in Seiza position until invited to join the class by the instructor.
4. Wearing jewelry (watches, rings, etc.) is not permitted.
5. Observe good personal hygiene and keep your GI clean.
6. Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed short.
7. Swearing or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated, and you will be asked to leave the class.
BASIC DOJO ETIQUETTE AND TERMINOLOGY
BEGINNING AND/OR ENDING A CLASS
The following is the sequence of commands that you will expect to follow at the opening and closing of a class session:
SHUGO COME TOGETHER (ie. line up facing the KAMIZA in order of rank, with the senior student being to your left)
KIO-TSUKE COME TO ATTENTION (feet together and hands by your sides)
SEIZA KNEEL INTO ZAREI POSITION
MOKUSO MEDITATE (to clear the mind)
YAME STOP MEDITATION
SHOMEN-NI, REI BOW TOWARDS THE KAMIZA (to the front)
SENSEI-NI, REI BOW TOWARDS THE SENSEI
(GEIDANSHIN-NI, REI) (also bow to any other Black Belts)
DOJO-KUN
The ultimate aim in the art of Karate, lies not in victory nor defeat,
but in the perfection of the character of its participants.
OSU:
Examples of such usage are as follows:
1 When first entering or leaving the DOJO in conjunction with a standing bow (RITSU-REI) made in the direction of the “KAMIZA” (see below).
2. At the beginning and end of class under the direction of the instructor in conjunction with a kneeling bow (ZAREI).
3. When answering a question directed to you in the affirmative.
4. In a class session, in response to a direction given by the instructor, which indicates that the class has understood that direction.
KAMIZA:
A prominent physical feature of the DOJO is the KAMIZA (upper seat) which is easily recognizable by the traditional pictures of the founders and an appropriate framed calligraphy (GAKU) of philosophical connotation. It is the focal point to which ZAREI (kneeling bow) is directed at the beginning and end of each class.
SENSEI:
A literal translation of this term means teacher. However, it is a term that is usually reserved for the chief instructor of the DOJO who holds DAN ranking or visiting instructors from other schools holding the rank of 4th DAN or higher.
SEMPAI:
Any senior student by rank or position.
ZA-REI and RITSU-REI:
ZAREI (kneeling bow) is performed in the direction of the KAMIZA and the instructor at the beginning and end of each class session.
RITSU-REI (standing bow) is performed when entering and leaving the DOJO, before and after practice with a partner and when first greeting the DOJO SENSEI.
It must be pointed out here that there is absolutely no religious significance or subservience involved in the custom and is merely a matter of mutual respect of each other and of the martial arts.
DAN and KYU:
DAN, meaning step, and KYU meaning class, are terms relating to achievement levels reached by students of the martial arts. Each level is indicated by the colour of the student’s belt and is listed here in order of ascending expertise:
6th KYU (beginner) … White Belt
5th KYU ……………… Yellow
4th KYU ……………… Orange
3rd KYU ……..………..Green
2nd KYU ………………Blue
1st KYU …….…………Brown
1st DAN to 5th DAN ……Black Belt
6th DAN to 8th DAN…Black or Red & White
9th DAN to 10th DAN….Black or Red
NOTE: 10th DAN is rare, traditionally almost always exclusively reserved for the founding master of each particular style
BASIC KARATE TERMINOLOGY
| BUDO ……………. | Martial Way or Path; a fighting discipline whose aim is to promote the spiritual development of its practitioners |
| DO……………………. | Literally means the way or path. The DO is the way for the perfection of human character as in KARATE-DO |
| DOJO …………… | Training hall or room |
| GI …………………… | Training uniform (KARATE-GI) |
| HAJIME …………… | Begin or Start |
| KARATE …………… | The Okinawan “Art of the Empty Hand”. Introduced to Japan in 1922 |
| KARATE-DO……….. | “The Way of the Empty Hand”. The modern name for the Okinawan art |
| KARATE-KA………… | Literally means KARATE practitioner |
| KATA………………… | Prearranged forms in which the student demonstrates and practices basic technique by fighting imaginary opponents |
| KIAI…………………. | A sharp sound made at the instant of focus to help tense the body and focus the mind for more effective KIME (see below) |
| KIME………………… | Focus. The pinpoint concentration of mind and body to achieve maximum effectiveness |
| KUMITE……………… | Sparring: There are two types of KUMITE sparring: 1. KIHON KUMITE – Basic sparring a) KIHON-IPPON KUMITE: one attack, one defense training from a basic stance b) SANBON-KUMITE: three continuous attacks and corresponding defenses c) JIYU-IPPON KUMITE: one attack, one defense training from a free style stance 2. JIYU-KUMITE – free sparring |
| MAKIWARA………… | A padded punching board used to develop power and focus in the technique |
| MAWATTE………… | Turn around |
| SEMPAI……………… | Senior person in belt ranking |
| YAME…………… | Stop |
| YOI…………………… | Ready |
| ZANSHIN…………… | A term used to describe the state of total awareness at the moment of attack and/or defense |
KARATE TERMINOLOGY
BODY AREA
GEIDAN (geh-dan) lower area of the body
CHUDAN (chew-dan) middle level or chest area
JODAN (joe-dan) upper level or face area
MIGI (mee-ghee) right
HIDARI (hi-dah-ree) left
TYPES OF FISTS
SEIKEN (say-ken) forefist
URAKEN (oo-ra-ken) backfist
KENTSUI/TETSUI (kent-soo-ee/tet-soo-ee) hammerfist
IPPON-KEN (ee-pohn-ken) one-knuckle fist
NAKADAKA-KEN (nah-ka-dah-ka-ken) middle finger knuckle fist
HIRAKEN (here-a-ken) four knuckle fist
TYPES OF OPEN HANDS
SHUTO (shoe-toe) sword hand
HAITO (high-toe) ridge hand
HAISHU (high-shoe) back hand
NUKITE (new-kit-teh) spear hand
TEISHO (tay-sho) heel of the palm
WASHIDE (wah-she-deh) eagle hand
KAKUTO (ka-koo-toe) bent wrist
USE OF FEET AND LEGS
KOSHI (ko-she) ball of the foot
SOKUTO (sew-koo-toe) sword foot, outer edge of
the foot
KAGUTO (ka-ga-toe) heel
HAISOKU (high-sew-koo) instep
HIZA (he-za) knee
STANCES
ZENKUTSU-DACHI front stance
KOKUTSU-DACHI back stance
KIBA-DACHI horse stance
HEISOKU-DACHI informal, feet together
MUSUBI-DACHI informal, toes out
SHIZEN-TAI ready position
TEIJI-DACHI “T” stance
RENOJI-DACHI “L” stance
SANCHIN-DACHI hourglass stance
SHIKO-DACHI square stance, sumo stance
HANGETSU-DACHI half moon stance
FUDO-DACHI rooted stance
(SOCHIN-DACHI)
NEKO-ASHI-DACHI cat foot stance
HAND AND ARM TECHNIQUES
UKE (oo-kay) blocking
GEDAN-BARAI (geh-dan-bar-eye) downward block
AGE UKE (aah-geh-oo-kay) upper block
SOTO-UKE (soh-toe-oo-kay) outside-in forearm block
UCHI-UKE (oo-chee-oo-kay) inside-out forearm block
SHUTO-UKE (shoe-toe-oo-kay) sword hand block
SEIRYUTO-UKE (say-ree-you-toe-oo-kay) heel of palm block
PUNCHING AND ATTACKING
TSUKI (soo-key) punching
GYAKU-ZUKI (gi-ya-ku-zoo-key) reverse punch
OI-ZUKI (oy-zoo-key) lunge punch
KIZAMI-ZUKI (key-zah-me-zoo-key) jab punch
MOROTE-ZUKI (more-oh-teh-zoo-key) two hand punch
AGE-ZUKI (a-geh-zoo-key) rising punch
KAGI-ZUKI (kah-gi-zoo-key) hook punch
YAMA-ZUKI (yah-mah-zoo-key) wide “U” punch
HEIKO-ZUKI (hay-koh-zoo-key) parallel punch
STRIKING
HIJI-ATE-UCHI (he-gee-a-teh-ooh-chee) elbow strike
EMPI-UCHI (em-pee-ooh-chee) elbow strike
MAE-HIJE-ATE (my-eh-he-gee-a-teh) forward elbow strike
YOKO-HIJE-ATE (yo-ko-he-gee-a-teh) side elbow strike
USHIRO- HIJE-ATE (oo-she-row-he-gee-ate) back elbow strike
TATE-HIJE-ATE (ta-teh-he-gee-a-teh) upward elbow strike
OTOSHI-HIJI-ATE (o-toe-she-he-gee-a-teh) downward elbow strike
FOOT AND LEG TECHNIQUES
GERI (ger-ee) kicking
MAE-GERI (my-eh-ger-ee) front kick
1. KEAGE (kee-ag-eh) snap kick
2. KEKOMI (keh-ko-me) thrust kick
YOKO-GERI (yo-koh-ger-ee) side kick
1. KEAGE
2. KEKOMI
MAWASHI-GERI (ma-wash-ee-ger-ee) roundhouse kick
USHIRO-GERI (ooh-she-row-ger-ee) back thrust kick
TOBI-GERI (toe-bee-ger-ee) jump kick
ASHI-BARAI (a-she-ba-ra-eye) foot sweep
Power Sources and Linear Movements Defined
Power source:
- Vibration – single technique when standing still.
- Rotation – Body torqueing standing or moving using combinations.
- Upward – Drive body weight up into target, either defensive or offensive.
- Downward – Body drives down into target, either defensive or offensive.
- Linear Movements– Using body weight to move into target to generate power:
Schedule of Kata
a) Niju-shichi-ho or 27 Movements (27 movements)
b) Taikyoku-shodan (“First Cause”, 20 movements)
c) Taikyoku-nidan (“Second Cause”, 20 movements)
d) Taikyoku-sandan (“Third Cause”, 20 movements)
1. Heian-shodan (“Peace & Tranquility #1”, 21 movements)
2. Heian-nidan (“Peace & Tranquility #2”, 28 movements)
3. Heian-sandan (“Peace & Tranquility #3”, 21 movements)
4. Heian-yondan (“Peace & Tranquility #4”, 27 movements)
5. Heian-godan (“Peace & Tranquility #5”, 23 movements)
6. Bassai-dai(“To Penetrate a Fortress”, long sword, 42 movements)
7. Kanku-dai (“To Look at the Sky”, major version, also called Kushanku, 65 movements)
8. Jitte (“10 Hands or 10 Techniques”, 27 movements)
9. Jion (A Bhuddist temple, 47 movements)
10. Empi (“To Fly Like a Swallow”, 39 movements)
11. Tekki-shodan (“Iron Horse #1”, also called Naihanchi, 25 movements)
12. Tekki-nidan (“Iron Horse #2”, also called Naihanchi, 24 movements)
13. Tekki-sandan (“Iron Horse #3”, also called Naihanchi, 33 movements)
14. Gankaku (“Crane on a Rock”, also called Chinto, 42 movements)
15. Bassai-sho (“To Penetrate a Fortress”, short sword, 27 movements)
16. Kanku-sho (“To Look at the Sky”, minor version, 47 movements)
17. Sochin (“Preserve Peace”, also called Hakko, 40 movements)
18. Chinte (“Extraordinary Hand”, also called Shoin , 33 movements)
19. Hangetsu (“Half Moon”, also called Seishan, 32 movements)
20. Nijushiho (“24 Steps”, also called Niseishi, 33 movements)
21. Ji’in (“Temple Grounds”, also called Shokyo, 35 movements)
22. Unsu (“Cloud Hands”, 48 movements)
23. Gojushiho-dai (“54 Steps”, also known as Useshi or Hotaku, 62 movements)
24. Wankan (“Crown of a King”, also known as Shiofu and Hito, 16 movements)
25. Meikyo (“Mirror of the Soul”, also known as Rohai, 34 movements)
26. Gojushiho-sho (“54 Steps”, a transformation of Gojushiho-dai, 65 movements)
- NOTE : These are just the names of the Kata and are not necessarily in the order they are to be learned. Refer to the B.C. Tsuruoka Karate Association’s “Mandatory Kata for Grading” sheet.