Autumn is always a season of sharpened focus and renewed energy on the dōjō floor. As our Fall training session progresses at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center in Menlo Park, Seiwakai Karate Silicon Valley (SKSV) is gearing up for two major organizational milestones: the upcoming California visit of Hanshi Seiichi Fujiwara next month in Southern California, followed by our local Winter 2026 Shinsa (Grading) in Menlo Park this December.

Hanshi Seiichi Fujiwara Returns to California (November 2026)

Next month, Hanshi Seiichi Fujiwara (8th Dan Hanshi, President of Gōjū-Ryū Karatedō Seiwakai International) will arrive in California for the annual Seiwakai USA Gasshuku and international Dan grading, hosted in the Los Angeles / Santa Monica area by Vassie Naidoo Hanshi (Karate of LA). This annual seminar is a highlight of our annual calendar, offering practitioners direct access to the source of Seiwakai technical standards originating from our headquarters in Daisen, Akita, Japan.

SKSV club members from Menlo Park and across the Silicon Valley Peninsula will travel to Southern California to participate in intensive training sessions and test before Fujiwara Sensei. For those testing for Yūdansha (black belt) ranks, this seminar represents the culmination of years of dedicated floor time, sweat, and adherence to authentic Okinawan Gōjū-Ryū principles. We wish all traveling candidates strength, unwavering focus (fudōshin), and a successful examination.

Preparing for the Winter 2026 SKSV Shinsa in Menlo Park

Following the California seminar, our local focus turns to the Winter 2026 SKSV Shinsa at the Arrillaga Recreation Center in December for youth, teen, and adult karateka seeking Kyū and Tokyū (等級) promotion. Grading in traditional Karatedō is not a routine formality; it is a serious evaluation of personal growth, technical mastery, and character development.

Candidates preparing for grading should concentrate on the following foundational areas:

• Kihon Ido (Moving Basics): Precise chambering, rooted stances (sanchin-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi, shiko-dachi), strong hip drive (koshi), and clean transitions without bobbing. Review our foundational technical guide at Gōjū-Ryū Kihon Ido Ichi.
• Kata Execution: Demonstrating not only correct sequence, but intention, dynamic pacing, and breath control. From Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni for junior students through to Saifa, Seiyunchin, and advanced classical kata, execution must reflect understanding of practical applications (bunkai).
• Bunkai Kumite: Demonstrating realistic distance (maai), clean blocking angles, and controlled execution with partners while prioritizing mutual safety.
• Dōjō Etiquette and Respect (Rei): Arriving early, bowing with intention, wearing a spotless, pressed dōgi, and maintaining humility on the floor. Please review our official SKSV Dōjō Guidelines & Code of Conduct.

Class Schedule & Candidate Training Sessions

Regular weekly training continues at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center (700 Alma St, Menlo Park):

• Mondays & Wednesdays:
  • 5:30 pm / 5:45 pm: Beginners, Youth, and Foundational Basics.
  • 7:00 pm – 8:45 pm: Experienced & Advanced Training (integrated with live Zoom-cast for registered remote members).
• Sunday Candidate Sessions: Special training classes dedicated to kata polishing, kobudo, and grading preparation (by invitation and pre-registration).

Please consult our full Training Calendar for exact holiday schedules and make-up dates. Candidates eligible for grading will receive examination notices from Sensei in the coming weeks.

Whether you are traveling to Los Angeles to test under Fujiwara Sensei or preparing for your next rank on our home floor in Menlo Park, now is the time to increase your focus, refine your basics, and train with full commitment. To learn more about our direct international lineage, explore the Seiwakai International Network.

Train hard, stay humble, and see you on the dōjō floor!