
Shotokan Oshima Dojo Japan: SODJ was officially launched in March 1, 2009. The establishment of Shotokan Oshima Dojo Japan started back in a spring special training in Okinawa in 2006. Since then the seventh special trainings has been held at Kashima Shrine. With increasing momentum and in cooperation with the members of SODJ, we officially announce the establishment of Shotokan Oshima Dojo Japan. On May 9th, 2009, we were able to celebrate the establishment of SODJ with Oshima shihan from California-Santa Barbara Dojo. Here, I would like to look back and explain about the history of Shotokan Oshima Dojo which is a worldwide known karate organization. Oshima shihan traveled to the United States to study at the University of Southern California in 1955, and in 1956 enrolled in graduate school. Ohshima shihan formed Southern California Karate Club as the first karate organization in overseas. Oshima shihan strived to teach karate, in 1957 founded the first university karate club at California Institute of Technology, where Oshima shihan had been a lecturer for a long period of time. Not only the United States, but karate was introduced to other nations worldwide such as Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Following the establishment of France Shotokan in 1964, affiliates has been established in Israel, Switzerland, Canada, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Greece, Netherlands, Curacao Dutch Antilles, Morocco, Gabon, and Hong Kong, which totals 16 countries. This progress makes a significant contribution to spread the spirit of karate and budo to overseas. Oshima shihan has been teaching karate to 600,000 people, and currently 15,000 members are practicing, and among of them, the approximately 5,500 are black belts. Mastering the techniques is only a part of practice, the aim of practice are truly on the completion of the individual personality through karate. There are about 500 our members who are university professors or PhD holders. This example explains that how the continuous practice helps members to improve themselves as good human beings. It also proves that the Oshima shihan’s teaching is not only about karate as martial arts techniques but karate as budo. Oshima shihan leads us to introduce this Japanese culture to overseas. We are passionate to be a member of the Shotokan Oshima dojo. We will practice sincerely and pursue the way of karate with our passion. Karate provides us a mastery of technical aspect of martial arts as well as for individuals to achieve their own goals by polishing themselves with originality and ingenuity. The area of the study is incredibly vast, and there is joy, discovery, surprise and fear unknown. Light seems to come among those repeated discovery. Karate also has a sport aspect in which the competition is held based on the rules. Shiai-Kumite has been contributing greatly to the development of Karate. Interest in kumite and learning from others through kumite greatly help individuals to pursue karate. Improvement of individuals can be attained by winning a match. However, the goal of karate is not about how to win a match based only on referee’s judgments. The true essence of winning is in Tachiai as martial arts. Controlling Tachiai is not only about making kicks or punches, but how controlling individual’s mind is a crucial factor to concern. We eventually achieve freedom, and completion of individuals through karate practice. Shotokan Oshima Dojo Japan Chairman Yasunori Ono