Kōkkikan Dōjō

It was great to get a visit and some training in with my sensei, Glen Smith, and his wife, Tannis, when I was recently in Calgary. I always appreciate a check in any chance I get, the fixes and guidance I receive, and to learn something new.
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Beyond learning through teaching and the bit of training I get while instructing students, my personal practice over the last decade or so has almost always been on my own. Late nights in the dojo - endless kihon, kata, and kumite drills - I’ve grown to love the solitude, alone with my thoughts as I burn off the energy of the day. And although progress may be slower, I’m grateful for the self-discipline it has instilled, and all I’ve learned from the careful self-scrutiny, introspection, and reflection of my self-guided practice. But I also miss the consistent objective insights, corrections, and directives under the watchful eye of my sensei, and the camaraderie and benefit to having regular training partners.
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As much as karate is an individual journey, it is equally community and connection. But no matter which way you slice it, it’s a lifelong practice - always evolving, always room for improvement, always a student…
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And always looking forward to my next visit!
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Banzai!
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Great Keiko Osame (last practice of the year) with this crew of sankyū (green belts). It was 90 minutes straight of basics, conditioning, pad work, plus full-contact striking drills and it didn’t let up. 🤜🏽 It was an impressive demonstration of all the hard work each student put in this past year, burning up any remaining energy from 2019.🔥

Thank you to all the karateka of Kokkikan Dōjō for another incredible year of practice and friendship. And all the best to all our Renbukai family in Calgary (The Kanto Sho Karate Club) 🇨🇦, Japan 🇯🇵, and around the globe 🌏 as we move forward into 2020. I look forward to getting back at it all next week at Hatsu Geiko (first practice of the year)!

~30°, a humid dōjō, and 2hrs & 15min later - kihon, kata, and kumite - an awesome effort from everyone who graded. A great display of all the hard work put into their practice up to this point and the adversities overcome. A well done and well deserved promotion!

Another great Victoria Cup Karate Tournament this past weekend. Everyone from Kokkikan did very well in their divisions, excellent kata and kumite. It was good competition all day from a lot of talented karateka, new and familiar faces, and new connections made. We don’t compete often, and to win or lose is not of importance, but the opportunity to put our training to the test of pressure, nerves, and unfamiliar opponents to see if we can maintain our way.

Thank you to all the organizers and volunteers for hosting and putting on an excellent and very well run event. 🙏🏽

Things are looking springy! And don’t panic if you show up and the dojo signs are gone. They need a little body work so will be in the shop this week. 😉 Karate is still on!!👊🏾

Keiko Osame - Last Practice of the Year
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An intense class of spirit training to reflect on the past year, release ourselves of any hangups we may have toward our practice, and clear or minds for the future.
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Flus, colds, and the busyness of the season unfortunately kept many from being able to attend this year, leaving just two, but they persevered with great effort, and cleansed the dōjō with their spirit and energy for the upcoming year. Sugoi!💥
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Thank you to all the karateka of Kokkikan Dōjō for another great year of training. It’s truly an honour to be able to share this rich and humbling practice with you all. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
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Happy New Year from Kokkikan Dōjō, may 2019 be a year of pushing beyond our believed limits... and to our Renbukai family around the world - BANZAI!!! 🎉
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Congratulations to Colin Crooks and Dylan on an excellent grading last night. Your dedication to practice showed, and is always appreciated during this busy time of life of family and careers. Great effort and well done!
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Tsukkomi tsuki. With the right timing, this is a fast and powerful strike, far reaching, that drops below your opponents basic kamae (guard).

[Click Instagram link for photos and video of practice and technique.]

Instagram post by Kōkkikan Dōjō -Renbukai Karate • Jan 24, 2018 at 8:05pm UTC 8 Likes, 1 Comments - Kōkkikan Dōjō -Renbukai Karate () on Instagram: “Tsukkomi tsuki. With the right timing, this is a fast and powerful strike, far reaching, that drops…”