Nazuka Dojo

10/24/2026

Future champions Osu

10/22/2026

10/16/2026

New brown and black stripe belt

10/16/2026

New brown belt

10/16/2026

New green belts

10/11/2026

This is the only compliment I ever received from my teacher Soshu Oyama.

On October 11, 1992, I won an International World Oyama Karate full-contact tournament.

This is the tournament that I had to win and that would determine if I would be an instructor at the Fairfield, CT dojo, or would have to return to Japan.

More than the joy of winning, I felt relief from the pressure to win, and I was also disappointed in the quality of my performance, which could have been better.

After the tournament, Soshu didn't say anything, but his younger brother, Saiko Shihan Y Oyama, gave me some kind words: "If you can learn to use your front hand, your karate will greatly improve. Regardless of technique, you won because of strong determination."

A week later, I received a call from Shoshu to come to New York. I went immediately, and he took me to a Japanese restaurant, ordered a lot of sushi and sake, and told me, "Eat! Drink!" I followed his order, but I was so nervous that I couldn't taste anything.

During the meal, Soshu started laughing so hard, he almost cried, and finally, with a big smile on his face, he said, "Nazuka, you did well!" He couldn't stop laughing and said, "I never thought you'd win and take over my son's dojo!" (His son, Shihan Tetsumori Oyama, is known as the best teacher and best fighter in Oyama Karate.) "It wasn't me who recommended you to go to my son's dojo, it was my brother Shihan Y. I objected, saying, Nazuka? No way, he's too small and weak! But my brother insisted and said just let Nazuka do it, and we ended up arguing and making a bet on whether you would succeed or fail."

Soshu said "Well, I lost and my brother won, and was he was right!" Even though he lost the bet, Soshu was laughing and so happy.

His happiness was the only compliment I ever received and my best memory. Even now, I can't forget Soshu's joyful, laughing face.

He was a great master and a great man.

Osu!

10/10/2026

New student 2026 - 13. Emanuel