Seiwakai Karate Silicon Valley – June (Summer) Newsletter

新たな季節、新たな精神 — New Season, Renewed Spirit

Cross-posted to email and on our website: www.gojuryu.net

Summer, Summer, Summer Time

季節の変わり目には新たな意志と共に稽古に励みましょう。
暑さの中にも鍛錬の道を忘れず、汗と共に精神（こころ）を磨いていきましょう。

As the golden sun of summer stretches over California and Japan, our dōjō (道場) stands vibrant with purpose. Summer is a time for deepened training, meaningful travel, and continued growth. Whether you are a brand-new white belt or a seasoned practitioner, your presence and spirit uplift our Seiwakai family. Let us advance together in both skill and heart.

The club is usually a bit quieter this time of year, as much of Menlo Park tends to travel during the summer. However, before you head back to school or return from vacation, please take a moment to view the results from our most recent belt grading in late May. If you qualified, be sure to order your new belt (… AND congratulations!). If your name has a funny square next to it on the list, there may be incomplete requirements that still need attention.

View Grading Results

SKSV Club Guide is Available on Google Books

Cover of SKSV Club Guide

Our official club curriculum and handbook, the SKSV Club Guide, is available to all club members via Google Books. You’ll need to be added to the authorized previewer list and log in with your Google ID (Gmail) to view it. This living document outlines all etiquette, expectations, terminology, and specific grading criteria.

If you received this message via email, you should already have access. If not, please send your Google-linked email address to the dojo, and Sensei will add you again.

Pro-Tip: Keeping a personal Karate notebook will help significantly deepen your learning and track your mechanical progress.

Training Registration via Menlo Park Recreation

Summer session registration is currently active. We anticipate a busy season, so please register as soon as possible to reserve your spot on the tatami:

• Monday Beginners – Register Here
• Monday Experienced – Register Here
• Wednesday Beginners – Register Here
• Wednesday Experienced – Register Here

For any technical issues with the registration portal, please contact: City of Menlo Park Recreation Services – www.menlopark.gov

Uniform Recommendations – Mugen (Ki International)

The first question we consistently hear from new students is: “Where can I buy a gi?”

We proudly continue to recommend the Mugen brand from Ki International (Los Angeles) as the absolute best value dōgi (道着) for beginners. Their “Orange Label” line offers outstanding quality, fit, and comfort for practitioners of all levels. We recently placed a massive custom order for our Japan training trip in July and were extremely pleased with the results.

Order your Mugen Orange Label Uniform Here
Contact: Ki International

Sensei Johnpaul Training Abroad (…again!) in Akita & Sendai

Following an unforgettable excursion to Kyoto this past spring for grading with the Dai Nippon Butokukai (大日本武徳会), I will once again be traveling and training abroad from July 14–27, this time participating at:

• The Seiwakai Honbu Dōjō (誠和会本部道場) in Daisen (Akita Prefecture) for the Gasshuku (合宿).
• The JKF Gojukai (全日本空手道連盟剛柔会) Zenkoku Taikai (全国大会) (National Competition) and technical seminar in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture.

During this period, no classes will be held in Menlo Park. Stay tuned on WhatsApp for travel updates—I’ll once again try to livestream or record a short training session directly from Japan!

Upcoming Seminars – Texas & Ohio

JKF Gōjūkai (全日本空手道連盟剛柔会) and Seiwakai (誠和会) events are highly recommended, especially if you are actively preparing for your Shodan (初段) (1st degree black belt) or higher grades!

Schedule:

• September 19–21 – JKF Gojukai Seminar – Texas, USA
• November 7–9 – Seiwakai Pan-American Seminar – Ohio, USA

These are truly life-changing opportunities to train under elite instructors and immerse yourself in the highest levels of Karate-dō (空手道). These national seminars are hosted by the two organizations through which we maintain our official membership registration, and they further qualify our cross-registration to the Dai Nippon Butokukai and USA Karate. Please let Sensei know early if you plan to attend!

Welcoming Our New Members

To our newest participants: Yōkoso (ようこそ) — welcome to the Seiwakai Karate Silicon Valley family. Your commitment and curiosity are deeply appreciated. Please feel free to speak with Sensei or any of the Senpai whenever you have questions.

To our returning members: Thank you for your consistency, discipline, and the heart you bring to every single class. Together, we are shaping a dōjō culture that respects deep tradition while welcoming continuous progress.

Weblinks & Digital Media

Training in Silicon Valley means naturally embracing technology as part of our regional culture. Stay Connected:

• SKSV Landing Page: www.SeiwakaiKarate.com (Design by J Williams Designs)
• Instagram: @seiwakaikaratesiliconvalley
• Facebook: facebook.com/BayAreaKarate
• YouTube: youtube.com/Gojuryu
• Yelp: Seiwakai Karate Silicon Valley on Yelp
• Google Reviews: Leave or Read a Google Review
• (Twitter): x.com/SeiwakaiKarate

All members, especially those new to the dōjō, are highly encouraged to follow and subscribe to these channels for immediate updates.

As we step into this new season, remember:
Karate-dō (空手道) is not just about blocks and strikes. It is about refining the heart, cultivating humility, and building inner strength through constant, dedicated practice.

Train sincerely. Support one another. Represent Seiwakai with dignity and gratitude.

また道場で会いましょう。
Let’s continue this journey, united in spirit and purpose.

頑張ってください – Gambatte kudasai!

– Johnpaul Williams
Director, Seiwakai Karate Silicon Valley Gojūkan (誠和会空手シリコン谷・指導者)
+1-650-394-6669 (Text only for SKSV inquiries)