North Island Karate and Kobudo

09/14/2026

09/12/2026

We have posted some of the more 'official photos' but there was so much more to this seminar. Over the next few days we will be posting more photos of events outside of training - the meeting of old friends, the development of new, and the joy of their shared experiences.
A seminar is about training, of course, but there is also the intention of developing comaraderie amongst all the participants. It's a time for juniors to meet and train with their seniors and for everyone, regardless of rank or experience, to spend time, in and out of the training sessions, with Akamine sensei. His example of integrity, technical excellence, kindness, and humility is what should be experienced by those that don't, or haven't yet, had the opportunity to travel to Okinawa and the 琉球古武道 信武館 本部 / Ryukyu Kobudo Shinbukan Honbu dojo. We feel this is paramount to our organization, to not be divisvie, rather to be considerate and create bonds through common goals, sharing of knowledge, with seniors helping juniors, following the example of our teacher, Akamine Kaicho.
Our goal for the Campbell River 2026 seminar was to not only showcase our wonderful part of Canada, but through shared experiences, further unite our Shimbukan and Mukenkai family under Akamine Hiroshi, Kaicho.
These photos are of our whale watching tour post seminar with Campbell River Whale Watching and were taken by Sheree Adams, Mary Margaret Graham, Akamine Kaicho, and Rick Ross. If I missed anyone, please let me know so I can give you credit. Please feel free to share your own.

09/11/2026

We finally have a moment to post some photos of the August 2026 Shimbukan and Mukenkai seminar in Campbell River, BC, Canada hosted by Mary Margaret Graham and Sheree Adams and the North Island Karate and Kobudo Dojo.
Photos are courtesy of Thomas Podzelny of Ki-Shin-Tai Dojo, Erlangen, Germany. Thank you, Thomas sensei.
People came from all over to train with our teacher, Akamine Hiroshi, Kaicho of Shimbukan Ryukyu Kobudo. It was a testament to the excellence of Akamine Sensei's teachings and the devotion of his deshi.
Campbell River is an outdoor and wildlife wonderland and, aside from the seminar training, we organized hikes and whale watching tours so those traveling from afar could enjoy beautiful British Columbia..
It was truly and wonderful time - sharing this place, with these people, and our teacher, Akamine, Kaicho.
The unsung heroes were Sam and Richard Willan, our dear friends, who manned the kitchen and kept everyone fed during the lunch break and the drinks poured at the soubetsukai.
Really, it couldn't have happened or have been so successful without everyone involved.
Thank you so much!

ps If I've missed you, let me know. 琉球古武道 信武館 本部 / Ryukyu Kobudo Shinbukan Honbu, please feel free to share some photos.

08/28/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HmwEU5m43/

08/12/2026

We are two weeks away from the Canada August 2026 Shimbukan and Mukenkai seminar.

We look forward to welcoming Akamine Hiroshi, Kaicho, of Ryukyu Kobudo Shimbukan, and all the Canadian and International Kyoshi, Shihan, Sensei, students and participants to Campbell River, BC, Canada.

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable journey to Campbell River and we look forward to sharing this beautiful corner of the world with you.

We respectfully acknowledge we are on the traditional territories of the Lidgwitda’xw people ; the We Wai Kai, the Wei Wai K*m, the Kwiakah First Nations, and the traditional keepers of the land.

07/31/2026

Ginoza, Okinawa, 1997 with my sensei, Shimabukuro Eizo, Hanshi, Shorin Ryu Karate Do Rendokan.

This year will be the 30th anniversary of leaving my heart in Okinawa.

07/13/2026

A trip to the Powell River dojo to teach and train with Alan Hernandez and Hugo Sloos as they prepare for the August 2026 Canada seminar in Campbell River, BC with Akamine Hiroshi, Kaicho, Ryukyu Kobudo Shimbukan and Mukenkai Shorinryu dojo.

We were able to present Alan Hernandez with his Sandan certificate in Mukenkai Shorinryu from Akamine Hiroshi, Kaicho, as well.

Congratulations, Alan, on this well deserved promotion. 🎊👏

06/01/2026

We would like to congratulate Alan Hernandez on his recent promotion Sandan in Mukenkai Karate.
Well done, Alan!

05/04/2026

The Sisiyutl is part of our dojo logo and combined with the hidari gomon of Okinawa it represents the two traditions we honour - those of the place we live and culture that created karate and kobudo. Our dojo emblem was created by renowned Kwakwaka’wakw Greg Henderson from the Wei Wai K*m First Nation of Campbell River.

Have you heard of the sisiyutł??
( see see yulth )

The Sisiutl stands as a force of balance and power. 2 heads watching both directions, a human face at the center anchoring what lies between. It is a being of thresholds, where opposing forces meet. protection and danger, creation and destruction, the seen and unseen. In this form, the symmetry holds tension, each side mirroring the other while the central face confronts the viewer directly. unflinching, aware.

In kwakwaka’wakw tradition, the Sisiutl is more than an image… it is a source of strength. To carry it is to carry protection, to stand guarded in both directions at once. But that power comes with weight. It demands respect, awareness, and the understanding that true strength lives in balance.

It is believed to shape shift into a self propelled canoe, that’s energy is created by being fed seals!

This piece holds that line, clean, deliberate, and steady.

inviting you to face it, and in doing so, to consider what it means to stand at the center of opposing forces without breaking 🙂

Today I’m offering a sale on the remaining prints in this edition

Regularly 280$
On today only for 160$
Save 120$
Sale ends when the ollllllllll clock strikes midnight 😊

I only have a couple left !!!! So don’t wait !

04/28/2026

The Ottawa Dokukai hosted our spring training camp with participants from Kingston and Newmarket, ON, Qualicum, BC, and Campbell River, BC.

Five days of training, sharing food and drink, telling stories and visiting some of the many historical sites in Ottawa and Kingston, On.

We congratulate everyone on their hard work and dedication and we’re proud to announce sankyu promotions to Pat Couperus (Ottawa), James Van Kessel (Newmarket) and shodan to Zach Yuen (Kingston). Congratulations on your promotions. Excellent work ethics and dedication by all.

We look forward to seeing some of the folks this summer at the Campbell River Shimbukan and Mukenkai seminar with Akamine Hiroshi, Kaicho, in August and the rest next year after our annual trip to Okinawa.

Congratulations and a huge thanks to the Ottawa dokukai for making this such a great time together.