Seidō juku
Encyclopedia
Seidō is a style of karate
founded by Master Tadashi Nakamura
in 1976 in New York City. It is unique for being a physical, traditional style and incorporating Zen meditation in training.
, a ninth dan (degree, title: Kaicho) black belt with over 50 years of experience in practicing and teaching in the martial arts.
Tadashi Nakamura was born on Karafuto Island, Northern Japan
(now claimed by Russia
), on February 22, 1942. Nakamura began his karate training at age 11 in 1953, studying Goju-ryu Karate style under Kei Miyagi Sensei
, the son of the Chojun Miyagi (the founder of Goju-ryu Karatedo). Nakamura began studying with Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin
Karate, in 1953, and in 1959, he gained his shodan
rank, becoming the youngest Kyokushin karateka in Japan to receive a black belt.
Nakamura was asked by Oyama to be chief karate instructor at Camp Zama
, a U.S. military base near Tokyo
, from 1961 to 1965. He also coached the Toho Medical University karate team for three years. In 1966 Nakamura was selected by Oyama to bring the spirit of karate to America
. Nakamura moved to New York City
, formed a small dojo
in Brooklyn
, and began teaching Kyokushin Karate. The North American Kyokushin Karate headquarters was formed and headed for 10 years by Nakamura.
1976 was a formative year for both Tadashi Nakamura and for Seido Juku. Nakamura respectfully withdrew from Kyokushin Karate, and later the same year, established the World Seido Karate Organization, which more fully reflected his own beliefs as to the true meaning of karate. Seido Karate represented the personal ideals of Nakamura that the sincere practice of karate can help all people to better understand themselves and others in their lives.
June 2006 saw Seido karate celebrate its 30th anniversary with a five day SAITEN (celebration) event in New York City. Thousands of students from across the globe gathered to watch karate masters demonstrate techniques, and to participate in seminars and tournaments.
While performing his many duties as the chairman of the World Seido Karate Organization and the Seido Juku Benefit Foundation, Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura is, first and foremost, still an instructor of karate. He teaches classes at the Seido Honbu daily, and also frequently conducts seminars and gives lectures. He travels regularly, teaching and guiding students at dojos around the world.
The World Seido Karate Organization, chaired by Nakamura, has become an international organization with branches in seventeen countries and more than 20,000 students worldwide. It headquarters (Honbu) are at 61 West 23rd Street, New York City, New York, 10010, U.S.A. Dojos can be found all around the world, including: Australia, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Nepal, New Zealand, Singapore, Poland, South Africa, United Kingdom, and across the United States of America.
Nakamura founded Seido on three principles: sonkei (respect), ai (love), and jujun (obedience). These attitudes represented what Nakamura regarded as essential to maximizing one's potential in not only martial arts but in life as well. They are represented by the three circles within the ume
blossom logo of the Nakamura family chest, and were suggested to Kaicho Nakamura by a congratulatory letter his mother sent to him after his marriage, which reads:
As this philosophy is an important part of Seido, Kaicho Nakamura has founded the Seido Juku Benefit Foundation as the charitable arm of the organization.
Because the shodan promotion is rigorous, younger students can become shonen shodan and shonen nidan, which is just a junior level, but when they come of age, they still must pass the shodan promotion.
To pass through the 10 Kyu grades usually takes about 5+ years of continual training. To pass through the next 10 Dan grades will take the rest of your Life.
As the student progresses, they learn six types of training until Shodan: Kumite
, Kata
, Seido strategies, Self Defense (basic, intermediate, advanced), Kihon Kumite, and Yakusoku Kumite.
Kata: students must learn several new katas at each level.
As well as katas with Okinawan kobudo
weapons, including the Bō
, the Jō
, the Sai
, and Tonfa
.
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
founded by Master Tadashi Nakamura
Tadashi Nakamura
is the founder of Seidō juku karatedo.-Early years:Tadashi Nakamura was born on the February 22, 1942 in the town of Maoka on the island of Karafuto. Nakamura trained in various martial arts including Goju-Ryu, Kendo, and Kyokushin...
in 1976 in New York City. It is unique for being a physical, traditional style and incorporating Zen meditation in training.
History
The World Seido Karate Organization was founded by Tadashi NakamuraTadashi Nakamura
is the founder of Seidō juku karatedo.-Early years:Tadashi Nakamura was born on the February 22, 1942 in the town of Maoka on the island of Karafuto. Nakamura trained in various martial arts including Goju-Ryu, Kendo, and Kyokushin...
, a ninth dan (degree, title: Kaicho) black belt with over 50 years of experience in practicing and teaching in the martial arts.
Tadashi Nakamura was born on Karafuto Island, Northern Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
(now claimed by Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
), on February 22, 1942. Nakamura began his karate training at age 11 in 1953, studying Goju-ryu Karate style under Kei Miyagi Sensei
Sensei
' is a Japanese word that basically means "person born before another." In general usage, it means "master" or "teacher," and the word is used as a title to refer to or address teachers, professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority...
, the son of the Chojun Miyagi (the founder of Goju-ryu Karatedo). Nakamura began studying with Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin
Kyokushin
is a style of stand-up, full contact karate, founded in 1964 by Korean-Japanese karate master, who was born under the name Choi Young-Eui . Kyokushinkai is Japanese for "the society of the ultimate truth". Kyokushin is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline and hard training...
Karate, in 1953, and in 1959, he gained his shodan
Shodan
, literally meaning "beginning degree," is the lowest black belt rank in Japanese martial arts and the game of Go. The 2nd dan is higher than Shodan, but the 1st dan is called Shodan traditionally and the 1st dan is not called "Ichidan"...
rank, becoming the youngest Kyokushin karateka in Japan to receive a black belt.
Nakamura was asked by Oyama to be chief karate instructor at Camp Zama
Camp Zama
is a United States Army post located in the cities of Zama and Sagamihara, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, about southwest of Tokyo.Camp Zama is home to the U.S. Army Japan /I Corps , the U.S. Army Japan Aviation Detachment "Ninjas" , the 500th Military Intelligence Brigade, the Japan Engineer...
, a U.S. military base near Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, from 1961 to 1965. He also coached the Toho Medical University karate team for three years. In 1966 Nakamura was selected by Oyama to bring the spirit of karate to America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Nakamura moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, formed a small dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, and began teaching Kyokushin Karate. The North American Kyokushin Karate headquarters was formed and headed for 10 years by Nakamura.
1976 was a formative year for both Tadashi Nakamura and for Seido Juku. Nakamura respectfully withdrew from Kyokushin Karate, and later the same year, established the World Seido Karate Organization, which more fully reflected his own beliefs as to the true meaning of karate. Seido Karate represented the personal ideals of Nakamura that the sincere practice of karate can help all people to better understand themselves and others in their lives.
June 2006 saw Seido karate celebrate its 30th anniversary with a five day SAITEN (celebration) event in New York City. Thousands of students from across the globe gathered to watch karate masters demonstrate techniques, and to participate in seminars and tournaments.
While performing his many duties as the chairman of the World Seido Karate Organization and the Seido Juku Benefit Foundation, Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura is, first and foremost, still an instructor of karate. He teaches classes at the Seido Honbu daily, and also frequently conducts seminars and gives lectures. He travels regularly, teaching and guiding students at dojos around the world.
The World Seido Karate Organization, chaired by Nakamura, has become an international organization with branches in seventeen countries and more than 20,000 students worldwide. It headquarters (Honbu) are at 61 West 23rd Street, New York City, New York, 10010, U.S.A. Dojos can be found all around the world, including: Australia, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Nepal, New Zealand, Singapore, Poland, South Africa, United Kingdom, and across the United States of America.
Philosophy
Seido translates from Japanese as SEI: "sincere," and DO: "way." SEI carries the connotation of "calm" or "silence", while DO carries the connotation of "energy" or "activity". In Seido one strives to reach his or her own individual balance of these two principles.Nakamura founded Seido on three principles: sonkei (respect), ai (love), and jujun (obedience). These attitudes represented what Nakamura regarded as essential to maximizing one's potential in not only martial arts but in life as well. They are represented by the three circles within the ume
Ume
Prunus mume, with the common names including Chinese plum and Japanese apricot, is an Asian tree species classified in the Armeniaca section of the genus Prunus. The flower, long a beloved subject in the traditional painting of East Asia, is usually translated as plum blossom. This distinct tree...
blossom logo of the Nakamura family chest, and were suggested to Kaicho Nakamura by a congratulatory letter his mother sent to him after his marriage, which reads:
"Each day I pray for both of you. I want you to live a long life, without regrets, respecting each other, nurturing your love for one another, and always holding feelings of obedience to each other."
As this philosophy is an important part of Seido, Kaicho Nakamura has founded the Seido Juku Benefit Foundation as the charitable arm of the organization.
Syllabus
Like other forms of Karate, Seido Juku Karate-do has a graded syllabus which is required to master in order to promote to the next level.- 10 Kyu White Belt
- 9 Kyu Adv. White Belt + black tab
- 8 Kyu Blue Belt
- 7 Kyu Adv. Blue Belt + black tab
- 6 Kyu Yellow Belt
- 5 Kyu Adv. Yellow Belt + black tab
- 4 Kyu Green Belt
- 3 Kyu Adv. Green Belt + black tab
- 2 Kyu Brown Belt
- 1 Kyu Adv. Brown Belt + black tab
- 1 Dan Shodan (the student receives the title SenpaiSenpaiand are an essential element of Japanese seniority-based status relationships, similar to the way that family and other relationships are decided based on age, with even twins being divided into elder and younger sibling...
, meaning Senior student) - 2 Dan Nidan (Senpai)
- 3 Dan Sandan (Senpai)
- 4 Dan Yondan (the student becomes SenseiSensei' is a Japanese word that basically means "person born before another." In general usage, it means "master" or "teacher," and the word is used as a title to refer to or address teachers, professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority...
, meaning Teacher) - 5 Dan Godan (the student becomes KyoshiKyoshiis a form of Japanese poetry using only Chinese characters which was popular around 1770-1800. Kyōshi avoids typical poetic forms, and often includes humorous expressions and puns on alternate readings or meanings of the same characters....
), meaning Advanced Teacher A Godan over the age of 80 receives the rank of Seishi. Kyoshi Akira Nakamura also carries the title Nidaime meaning Successor) - 6 Dan Rokudan (the student becomes Jun-ShihanShihan- Title of "Master" is a Japanese Honorific Title, Expert License Certification used in Japanese martial arts for Master Level Instructors. The award of the Expert License Certification is if designated by the qualification by virtue of endorsement by the [A] Association of Chief Instructors or [B]...
after 5 years of obtaining this rank they become Sei-Shihan, meaning Master) - 7 Dan Nanadan (the student becomes Shuseki Shihan, meaning Chief Instructor / Master
- 8 Dan Hachidan (the student becomes Hanshi), Master of masters, or teacher of teachers
- 9 Dan Kudan (the level Kaicho Nakamura is at now; the highest level attained so far in Seido Karate), Grand Master.
Because the shodan promotion is rigorous, younger students can become shonen shodan and shonen nidan, which is just a junior level, but when they come of age, they still must pass the shodan promotion.
To pass through the 10 Kyu grades usually takes about 5+ years of continual training. To pass through the next 10 Dan grades will take the rest of your Life.
As the student progresses, they learn six types of training until Shodan: Kumite
Kumite
Kumite means sparring, and is one of the three main sections of karate training, along with kata and kihon. Kumite is the part of karate in which you train against an adversary, using the techniques learned from the kihon and kata....
, Kata
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
, Seido strategies, Self Defense (basic, intermediate, advanced), Kihon Kumite, and Yakusoku Kumite.
Kata: students must learn several new katas at each level.
- Sanbon Tsuki (Triple Punch) kata (1,2)
- Taikyoku (General overview) kata (1,2,3)
- Seido (Sincere way) Kata (1,2,3,4,5)
- Pinan (Peace and Harmony) Kata (1,2,3,4,5)
- Sanchin (Three points) kata
- Gekisai-dai (Breaking down the large fortress) kata
- Yansu (Striving for purity) kata
- Tsuki-no (Fortune and Luck) kata
- Saiha kata (Great wave)
- Tensho (Fluid / rolling hand) kata
- Gekisai-sho (Breaking down the small fortress) kata
- Seienchin (Calm within the Storm)
- Koryugojushiho (54 steps)
- Seido Empi-no kata dai
- Seido Empi-no kata Sho
- Kanku (Sky gazing) kata
As well as katas with Okinawan kobudo
Okinawan kobudo
Okinawan kobudō is a Japanese term that can be translated as "old martial way of Okinawa"...
weapons, including the Bō
Bo
-People:*Bo , name origin, plus people with the name*Bo , name origin, plus people with the surname**Bo , Chinese family names*Bo people , extinct minority population in Southern China famous for hanging coffins...
, the Jō
Jo
JO, Jo or jo may refer to:*Jō, a ~4-foot-long wooden staff used in some Japanese martial arts*Cho , , also spelled Jo, a common Korean family name*Jo , a 1971 French comedy...
, the Sai
Sai (weapon)
The sai is a traditional Okinawan martial arts weapon. The basic form of the weapon is that of a pointed, dagger-shaped metal truncheon, with two curved prongs called yoku projecting from the handle...
, and Tonfa
Tonfa
The tonfa , also known as tong fa or tuifa, is an Okinawan weapon. It is a stick with a handle, and is about 15-20 inches long. It was traditionally made from red oak and wielded in pairs...
.