Shintani Teams Choose a Year Year 2023-2024 David Blanchet, Seth Brewer-Desouza, Gavin Campbell, Skye Cotter, Erin Couture, Stefan Iordache, Cristina Iordache, Farhaan Iyub, Geoffrey McDonald, Arielle Morissette, Emily Muddle, Braden Oishi, Maisie Rathwell, Parth Sakpal, Kira Slator, Mia Steacy

Tasks and Goals Extract from Sensei Denis Labbé (President) letter to the SWKKF Membership Shindo Committee / September 9, 2010 The Shindo committee has been continuously working at fulfilling the dream Sensei Shintani had for Shindo. The goal is to bring Shindo into the lives of all the students in the federation. To this end, the Shindo committee has worked on, and continues to work on, a number of items to facilitate the completion of this task. Teaching Aids - There are a number of teaching aids currently available to provide instructors a starting point for the instruction of Shindo at the club level. The curriculum for the three levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced has been developed and remains in place. Accompanying the curriculum are the three DVDs Clinics - Clinics are taught across the country by accomplished Shindo practitioners to introduce students to the art, refresh instructors, and provide new ideas from which it will grow Beyond these currently available aids, there are a few suggestions for incorporating Shindo into our routine karate workouts. As in karate, students must start with the basics and work their way up to advanced interpretations of karate movements. The basic grading structure for Shindo is as follows: Basic Shindo White Stripe - white belt to green belt stage of karate. Intermediate Shindo Green Stripe - green and blue belt levels. Advanced Shindo Brown Stripe – brown belt and above. Ideally, a student in the white belt to green belt stage of their karate should be able to translate their knowledge of karate basics to the Shindo and perform at a basic level. Thus, the white stripe awarded for successful performance of the basic level of Shindo is thought to be appropriate at green belt. The green stripe for completion of the intermediate requirements is approximately parallel to practice at the green and blue belt levels where combinations of techniques are introduced. It is recommended to be awarded at blue belt. Advanced kyu belts should, with regular practice, be able to perform the advanced portion of the Shindo curriculum. Therefore, at brown belt it is suggested that the brown stripe be awarded. Of course, these are not set times to award the stripe; it should be awarded as appropriate at this time or later, as the student progresses. Black belts, as in karate, will continue on beyond this program, and use their minds and skills to interpret the art. They will learn the newly developed kata Kushanku no Shindo, and begin to apply their knowledge of Shindo to techniques of the everyday karate class. The ability to accomplish this demonstrates the parallel with ‘regular’ karate and the parallels which Sensei Shintani created when he developed Shindo. A grading format beyond the current curriculum is being investigated to award Dan rankings. Tips for Teaching Shindo At first the student may feel overwhelmed by the foreign object in their hands, especially when starting out. Remember to teach at the level of the students. This caution is warranted to help decrease this possibility, regardless of the level of the student Shindo should be related to everyday karate. For the very first punch or block techniques we learn we can develop Shindo techniques to coincide with them. This is an important point for Shindo instructors and practitioners to grasp. Shindo classes can be structured exactly the way that ‘regular’ classes are. There should be at least an emphasis on the basics every time the Shindo is picked up. How these basics relate to karate (ie: kumais, sabaki, etc) is a good way to begin showing how Shindo really is Shintani Wado Kai with a Shindo hand-bo (short staff) of self-defense in our hands. Going forward, there are many ways to continue to develop Shindo across the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation. Instructors should encourage their students to study - as they should themselves have awareness of the art. This will help and improve their abilities in karate and Shindo. Positive encouragement to participate in the Shindo divisions at tournaments is a great way to demonstrate knowledge and compare philosophies with peers. Encourage your tournaments to have two Shindo divisions, one for the kyu belts and one for the black belts. This is an ideal situation and something to be strived for. There in fact may be some kata that are not a part of the current curriculum as it stands now. The Shindo Committee welcomes and in fact seeks members’ own creative ideas for kata(s) (TAI SEI NO SHINDO, CHINTO NO SHINDO, WANSHU NO SHINDO, etc). These would be used in some manner as a part of the teaching and tournament system for Shindo. That is to say, in pockets of the North America there is lots of good work being accomplished with the Shindo, and everyone deserves to have access to this knowledge. By sharing ideas, they may be incorporated in some form into common Shindo practice. More information on introducing more Shindo kata(s) will be released in the near future from the Shindo committee. The goal of all involved in Shindo is to have all students practicing Shindo on some level. This is what Sensei Shintani envisioned. With current aids in place to assist instruction and the new directives and recommendations of the Committee we hope that the organization can move towards this goal. The Shindo Committee welcomes constructive feedback, suggestions, recommendations, and/or comments from the SWKKF members as a means to assist everyone to work and promote Shindo.

Shintani History & Legacy - 1980s 1980s Pictures 1984 Kicks 1984 Misc. Pinan Sandan Pinan Yodan Pinan Shodan Pinan Nidan

Origins, Principles, and Concepts The art of Shindo was devised by Masaru Shintani Sensei, 9th Dan, in the early 1970’s and he started teaching Shindo to his students in the late 1980’s. Sensei had made the Shindo methods and principles known to Otsuka Sensei who gave it his full endorsement. Its concept is two-fold. First, it was to be a supplement to karate training incorporating the fundamentals of the Shintani Karate-method - sudden explosive action, proper body movement as well as combining harmony, peace and humility. These principles were very close to Sensei as they were conductive to real martial arts training. Second, by being introduced to the law enforcement agencies as a practical method for use by officers in the field, the Shindo method would enhance the abilities and effectiveness of the performance of those using its principles and training. In essence, it is a gift to his students and to society which showed the true nature of all martial arts.

Shindo - Letter from Senate Date: December 8, 2009 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

Upcoming Events June 2026 Today Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1:30 PM Northern Alberta Region Clinic 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12:00 PM Bunkai Clinic with Sensei Jim Freeman 21 11:00 AM Bunkai Clinic with Sensei Jim Freeman 22 9:00 PM Sensei Mattie Monthly Instructor Clinics 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 Day (1/3) 7th Annual Shintani Symposium 2026 4 Day (2/3) 7th Annual Shintani Symposium 2026 5 Day (3/3) 7th Annual Shintani Symposium 2026 6 7 8 9 10 11 SWKKF Yearly Calendar

History Karate -- Where did it really originate from? Have you wondered how far back in history you can go to trace the origins of karate? Some historians believe that karate can be traced back to Alexander the Great’s time and further. In the Greek Olympic Games of 648 B.C. a sport called “pankration” was introduced. It was an “empty-hand” submission sport with few rules. Athletes used boxing and wrestling techniques, including kicking, holds, joint-locks and chokes on the ground. A rough translation of the term pankration means “strength, might and power”. The sport satisfied a need for a sporting and combative form that boxing and wrestling did not provide. There is evidence that, although events could end in knock-outs, most pankration contests were decided on the basis of submission. Alexander the Great’s invasion of India in 327 B.C. helped introduce pankration into India. There it was picked up by the missionaries spreading Buddhism throughout India, Tibet, Burma and China. The missionaries realized that this new combative form gave them the means to protect themselves on their travels without any weapons . As Buddhism spread from India into China, other groups grasped the essence of the “empty hand” and modified the form to suit their needs. Karate spread through China, eventually reaching Okinawa in the Ryukyu Island chain.

Seishin No Shindo by Sensei Dr. Robert J. Graham I had thought about what kind of a kata that would be good for the Shindo and decided that a Kitagawa kata would best fit the movements of the Shindo as well as capture the essence of Sensei Shintani's movements. Seisho seemed liked a very good fit because it was not too long and was full of explosive movements. So, I proceeded to put together the kata and the Shindo, refining the movements over a period of about 6 months. I had told Sensei Shintani that I was doing this and had his approval, but he had not seen any of the work I had done at that point. Subsequently, I had Sensei to my home in Hamburg because he was doing a clinic for me at the Bailey Ave. dojo. The evening before the clinic, which was a Friday, I asked him if he would take a look at the kata I had developed and he agreed. We went into the basement of my home and I demonstrated the kata several times for him. When I asked him if there were any suggestions he replied, "No keep the kata just as it is." He then asked me what I called the kata and I told him "Seisho no Shindo." He thought for a moment and said to me. You will call it "Seishin no Shindo." He explained to me that Seishin means the true, straight way of a person with high character. He told me that I was of a very high character and that I had followed the true, straight way of his teachings and the Shindo. He said that when someone in Japan is of high character and follows a true path they are said to have "Seishin." He then asked me why I had chosen Seisho from all of the Kitagawa katas that were available. I told him that it seemed to me that it represented his movements and explosiveness so very well. He said to me, "That's really interesting Bob, because of all the Kitagawa katas that's the only one I had created myself. All the rest were Sensei Kitagawa's katas." He found it very interesting that I was able to zero in on his movements from the kata and select the one he had created even though I had no knowledge that he had done so. We then went upstairs to my kitchen and he asked me for a cup of tea. As I was making the tea, he was sitting at the table writing. When I served him the tea he handed me a Shindo certificate and said, "You are now a 7th Dan in Shindo. Then he looked at the cup of tea and said, "Oh that's beautiful, just beautiful." After he finished the tea, he turned on the baseball game. We didn't discuss karate or the Shindo the rest of the evening, only baseball.

Family Tree Please send updates or corrections to legacy@shintani.ca e-mail

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Representatives British Columbia Alberta NWT Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario REPRESENTATIVES The following is the hierarchy within the SWKKF organization. Senate (click here) Provincial Representative Highlighted in brown Alberta British Columbia Manitoba Northwest Territories Ontario Saskatchewan Regional Representative Highlighted in green Club Representative Listed in each category

SWKKF Clubs Big Spirit in Every Dojo From coast to coast, our dojos pulse with energy, expert instruction, and deep community spirit. Local instructors are backed by high-ranking black belt mentorship and Zoom training sessions that keep skills sharp. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned martial artist, SWKKF offers vibrant online classes, spirited tournaments, and a chance to connect with karatekas across Canada. Your journey starts at a dojo near you - step in and feel the difference. Check out a Club near you! Filter by Province/State Filter by City Reset Filter Map Synthesis Martial Arts Boissevain Manitoba Sensei Jeff Gervin (204) 215-0911 More Dynamic Karate Association of Alberta Calgary Alberta Sensei Darren Humphries (403) 671-5662 More Three Elements Karate Club Calgary Alberta Sensei Kevin Bowes (403) 700-3166 More South Calgary Wado Kai Calgary Alberta Sensei Heather Fidyk (403) 257-4638 More Crooked Hill Wado Kai Karate Canborne Ontario Sensei Sanford DeWitt (705) 931-3400 More Moose Mountain Wado Kai Karate Club Carlyle Saskatchewan Sensei Jayson Humphries (306) 577-8783 More Ceylon Wado Kai Karate Ceylon Saskatchewan Sensei Owen Day (306) 861-3214 More Umi Wado Kai-Juniors Comox British Columbia Sensei Danny McKee (250) 650-5451 More Delhi Wado-Kai Delhi Ontario Sensei Jim Atkinson (519) 428-8406 More Iwa Yama Karate Club Didsbury Alberta Sensei Walter Greening More Load More