06/28/2026
The Mumon Dojo at Simi Valley California held a Kyu/Dan exam on June 12 and 13, 2025. Twenty-five (25) candidates tested for Kyu ranks and one for Junior Shodan. All passed.
Chief examiners were Bruce Kanegai (Shihan), Ken Maxwell (Godan) William Christopher (Yodan) and Sandans Diane Hasse and Stephen Updike.
Congratulations to Marial Gigliello for receiving a Junior Shodan rank.
Another Kyu test was held on Thursday June 18, 2026 at the Arizona Munon Dojo, which is under the leadership of Sandan Diane Hasse.
Eight unranked candidates took and passed the test. Bruce Kanegai (Shihan) and Diane Hasse graded the test. This was the first Mumon test at the Arizona dojo.
05/31/2026
The Mt. Lebanon Dojo adult class held its Spring Kyu Test on Wednesday May 27, 2026 at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center. Examiners included Sihan Paul Kovacs, Yodan Doug Gilbert, Nidan Dave Resto, and Shodan’s Noah Tan and Florin Toader
Congratulations to:
7th Kyu
Xue (Meg) Zhang, Ericia Resto, Gabriela Toader and Sabine Du Mont
6th Kyu
Robert Ambrosini and Peter Naulls
2nd Kyu George Resto
1st Kyu Jose Chavez Vazquez
04/04/2026
On Sunday, March 8, 2026, Mr. Sadaharu Honda, Paul Kovacs and Ken Maxwell were invited to the International Kwanmukan United Martial Symposium held Friday Saturday and Sunday at the Hickey Karate Center in Stow Ohio.
The Center is affiliated with the International Kwanmukan, USA Karate Federation, United States Jujitsu Federation, Traditional Kodokan Judo, United Martial Arts and USA Sports Jujitsu Alliance. That Sunday, the participants from all over the USA had backgrounds in karate and jujitsu styles, and also fencing, kobudo and Brazilian jiujitsu.
Mr. Honda presented Mumon Karate and its adaptation as an American Budo path to the concept of Budo Karate. Paul and Ken spoke of their experiences with Mumon and performed kata.
The symposium was hosted by Patrick M. Hickey a Mumon advisor who holds degrees in Kwanmukan Karate (9th dan), US Ju-Jitsu & Kwanmukan Jujitsu (9th dan), and Traditional Kodokan Judo (8th dan). Mr. Hickey and his wife Shihan Pamela J. Hickey traveled to Japan this summer with the Mumon group.
01/30/2026
Going back in time. Sadaharu Honda and Caylor Atkins after battle.
12/23/2025
The year has come to an end with an adult Kyu/Dan test in Pittsburgh on Saturday December 6th, 2025 at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center. Examiners included Sihan Paul Kovacs and Godans Chuck Moyes and Ken Maxwell. Nidan David Resto gave the test commands.
Congratulations to:
8th Xue (Meg) Zhang, Ericia Resto,
7th Kyu Robert Ambrosini
3rd Kyu George Resto
Shodan Noah Tan and Florin Toader
Following the exam, TKA 7th Dan Chuck Kerrigan’s youth members demonstrated Tai Sabaki and Kata and Mumon blackbelts demonstrated Kata and IAI. Mumon was pleased to welcome special guest speakers Mumon Saiko Shihan Mr. Sadaharu Honda and Mr. Patrick Hickey (Kwanmukan Karate and Jujitsu 9th dan).
All enjoyed lunch following the event at new Shodan Florin Toader’s house in Mt. Lebanon.
Have a festive Holiday season from Mumon.
