Date:  December 8, 2009

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To:     All Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation Instructors,

The purpose of our letter to you today is to remind you all of a vitally important component of Sensei Shintani and his teachings.

Sensei Shintani studied karate for much of his life.  He had a dream that developed from his love and understanding of the martial arts, and this dream was Shindo.  Nearly 40 years since he developed Shindo, and almost 30 years since his first instruction, Shindo is a reflection of all that is Shintani Wado Kai Karate in its entirety.  

The value to our members is immense.  We have seen many examples of students elevate their level of skill in, and more importantly their understanding of karate through the study of Shindo.

He has given us an understanding that the Shindo was an important part his life.  It was Sensei’s intention to spread his knowledge and character through Shindo to those in and out of the federation across the country and undoubtedly the world.  In our position as the Senate representing the organization, it is our intention to see this organization carry on in Sensei’s image, and as Sensei would have wished.  We have, therefore, a feeling of responsibility to oversee a steady curriculum of Shindo implemented into the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation.

It is our desire that in time we might see every student within this organization studying Shindo in some capacity.  This is our responsibility to Sensei, and now we ask for your assistance in the matter.  In order to reach every student all of the instructors in this federation must be of a similar mind.  We implore each of you to take steps to incorporate Shindo into your regular teachings.

This is a large task to accomplish, but one that we feel is well within the realm of possibility for this organization.  To achieve this, however, we would ask all of you to aid us in moving towards this very fulfilling goal.

Yours very sincerely,
Denis Labbé
and the members of the Senate