IKGA Asia Bloc Technical Seminar 2023 Tokyo, Japan

The IKGA Asian Bloc Technical Seminar 2023 Tokyo, Japan was held from December 11 to 13, 2023.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, seminar events have been postponed in recent years, but a technical seminar in Japan was organized once again to strengthen the unity within the Asian Bloc.

The seminar was conducted with the following instructors: President of IKGA, Grandmaster Goshi Yamaguchi, IKGA Asian Block Director, Gohei Yamaguchi Shihan IKGA Asian Block Vice Director, Hideki Wakasugi Shihan IKGA Secretary General, Shin Tsuki Shihan, supported by instructors from the Japan Karatedo Goju-kai Association (JKGA), including Yaco Minaar Shihan, Aikihiro Saito Shihan and Takashi Tsuchiya Shihan, the Secretary General.

This year’s Asian Block Seminar included seminars for practitioners with ranks and instructors, hosting participants from over 10 countries, totaling over 60 attendees.

The seminar covered rigorous training in line with IKGA regulations, including basic exercises, kata training, pre-arranged sparring, and kata bunkai kumite. Moreover, new training methods such as 'Ken-shu' (fist guarding), 'Sho-shu' (palm guarding), and 'Ryo-shu' (defensive posture) were introduced by Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi. The seminar provided an opportunity for Asian Bloc members to interact after a considerable period, resulting in a vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the participating countries for their attendance and support as host countries. Additionally, we extend our sincere thanks to the staff of the JKGA and all the instructors and Shihans who participated in the seminar.

Asia Bloc Director
Gohei Yamaguchi

Participating Countries:

Japan, Brunei, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macao, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand

2023 Australian Seminar and 60th Anniversary celebrations

Hello to our distinguished guests, Australian Shihans, Sensei, Sempai and students,

The 3 day NSW leg of our famous Grand Master’s tour of Australia has been successfully completed.

Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi Hanshi is a renowned modern day Karate Master. He is the leader of our International Karate-do Goju Kai Association (IKGA) and the Number One Master of our style.

The seminar training was amazing, our master brings a breath of fresh air and vitality each time he teaches his dynamic Karate-do! He has the ability to have all present engaged and learning to increase their potential.

Saiko Shihan brought two assistant Instructors with him from his Japan Headquarters (the Hombu Dojo).

His son Gohei Yamaguchi Shihan, is a very talented Master who is obviously following in his father’s footsteps.

Also assisting was Jaco Minnaar Shihan, a South African Master who is living and training in Japan, at the Hombu Dojo.

Brian Mackie Hanshi is our Australian Director and Chief Instructor, he has capably organized and coordinated the events. Brian Hanshi travelled over from Perth for the NSW seminar and celebrations, before returning home to conduct the second leg of the Australian seminars there. At present the Perth Seminar participants are enjoying Saiko Shihan’s wonderful training.

Sydney’s Paul Starling Hanshi is a member of the IKGA Presidents Council. In his role as an IKGA Vice President, Paul Hanshi attended the 60^th anniversary celebration Wednesday evening and put his watchful eye over the training Thursday morning.

We had members travel from Japan, New Zealand, Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, to join the NSW members. All feedback has been positive following these events on the Central Coast of NSW.

I humbly thank all the IKGA members and their families, who travelled from overseas, around Australia and all over NSW to join Saiko Shihan at this historical gathering for IKGA Australia.

Worth a mention is the huge effort in organizing this NSW event by the Sydney Goju Kai committee, and particularly their President Mark Burton Shihan.

The Australian Masters who came to assist with teaching and to continue their learning were: Iwan Pranatio Shihan from Victoria, Tom Curtis Shihan and Alvaro Martos Shihan from Queensland, Lindsay Johnston Shihan from New Zealand and Basil Gotsis Shihan from Western Australia. We thank you all.

A huge thank you to Saiko Shihan and all the Master Instructors, who continually give their time, knowledge and experience! We all greatly benefit from these lessons, in our lives.

Finally I would like to focus on Gohei Yamaguchi Shihan’s speech, in closing our 60^th anniversary function. He had all present clap together with only one finger (one finger each hand), then with two fingers, then three, four and finally all five fingers on both hands. The effect was that the sound went from feint to becoming louder and finally a very large, appreciable applause. The idea was that with just a few, little could be achieved. The more that joined in, the louder and more formidable the achievement became. Finally when everyone joined together, the sound was very loud and impressive. Proving that when we all work together in unity, we can achieve amazing things…

I look forward to working together in unity with you all, in the future.

Kind regards,

Rick Burton Shihan

IKGA NSW Director

Hiromasa Kikuchi Hanshi

Hiromasa Kikuchi Hanshi

It is with great sadness that we must inform everyone on the passing of Hiromasa Kikuchi Hanshi on the
afternoon of 19 April 2023. Kikuchi Hanshi was a Vice-President of IKGA as well as the former Bloc Director of IKGA Asian Bloc. He was a great and loyal supporter of IKGA, and left a lasting impression on all who knew him. Our condolences go out to his family, loved ones and students.

Kikuchi Hanshi's funeral was held at 10:45 a.m. on April 26, 2023 in Japan, and we are able to share some photos.