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.

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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

Black Belt Grading Overview Mail / e-Mail Application Timing Grading Fees Useful Grading Forms Grading Application Application Attachments Black Belt Grading Overview This section outlines the requirements for each of the DAN levels as well as what attributes the Jōseki board is looking for at each of the Yudansha ranks. In addition to training at your own dojos, students are encouraged to share and acquire knowledge from other Shintani Wado Kai Karate Members. When progressing through yudansha ranks, there should be a continuous evolution of your physical, technical, tactical and mental proficiency. You should demonstrate a never-ending desire to improve yourself. A Shodan will demonstrate competence in the basics of Shintani Wado Kai Karate. A Shodan will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of all sections of the grading curriculum techniques and abilities. A Nidan will demonstrate additional speed, focus, and power. There will be increased confidence in the overall techniques and abilities. A Sandan will demonstrate efficiency and effectiveness. Being able to convey this to others is part of that development and critical to the advancement of the art. A Yodan will demonstrate knowledge and confidence in your basic and advanced techniques. A Yodan is proficient but continues to strive for advanced personal accomplishment. A Godan level and above will demonstrate superior knowledge and understand of all aspects of karate. A well-rounded black belt has established a combination of physical expertise, humility, loyalty and leadership. Extract from Grading Manual Version 2.5- December 2025 - Page 19 e-mail us your grading application Mail Address Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation (SWKKF) P.O. Box 20028 Grantham St. Catharines ON L2M 7W7 e-mail Address grading@shintani.ca Application Timing Shodan, Nidan, Sandan and Yondan Applications To be eligible for grading, your application and payment must be fully completed and received 45 days prior to the grading date. Grading applications must be filled out in Microsoft Word and emailed to grading@shintani.ca . Late applications will not be accepted. Godan Applications To be eligible for grading, your application and payment must be fully completed and received 45 days prior to the grading. Grading applications must be filled out in Microsoft Word and emailed to grading@shintani.ca . Late applications will not be accepted. Grading Fees (applicable to all Provinces) Grading Fee: $150 + applicable taxes (GST / HST) eTransfer payments@shintani.ca Useful Grading Forms Fill out the Calendar of Events Form Download "grading sheet" in the Instructors Only section. Black Belt Grading Application Para-Karate Application For Shodan - Godan Application for Shodan Application for Nidan / Sandan / Yodan Application for Godan Application for Rokudan, Shichidan, & Hachidan Pre-Grading Feedback Sheet is a tab in the Grading Sheet spreadsheet found in Instructors Only Section. *Grading Manual *Note: It is important to review the SWKKF Grading Manual. This contains all of the information pertaining to an application for a Black Belt Grading. What Should Be Submitted in the Grading Application Follow this checklist when submitting a grading application: Student application section Instructor application section Completed Written Questionnaire Instructors send the grading applications to grading@shintani.ca . Instructors attach: Application in Microsoft Word Format . Make sure everything is in a single document. If you use Google Docs, export to a Microsoft Word Format. Pre-Grading Summary (PDF document) as a separate document Send grading fee via eTransfer ($150 + GST/HST) to payments@shintani.ca

Clubs Video Archive Select Year September 14, 2024 Punch Kick Choke Chat episode 168 - Sensei Neil Prime View August 29, 2023 Town Hall Meeting - August 29, 2023 View February 8, 2023 Sensei Bruce Perkins and Sensei Neil Prime interview Sensei Heather Fidyk. View February 8, 2023 Sensei Bruce Perkins and Sensei Neil Prime interview Sensei Dave Manara View September 29, 2022 Sensei Bruce Perkins & Sensei Neil Prime interview Sensei Jim Atkinson. View August 17, 2022 Sensei Neil Prime interview with Sensei Bruce Perkins View August 4, 2022 Sensei Bruce Perkins & Sensei Neil Prime interview Sensei Lou Roentgen View March 9, 2022 Sensei Bruce Perkins & Sensei Neil Prime interview Sensei Ron Mattie View March 3, 2022 Sensei Bruce Perkins & Sensei Neil Prime interview Sensei Rick Leveille View February 23, 2022 Sensei Bruce Perkins & Sensei Neil Prime interview Sensei Brad Cosby View February 24, 2022 Sensei Bruce Perkins & Sensei Neil Prime interview Sensei Denis Labbe View July 7, 2022 Sensei Bruce Perkins & Sensei Neil Prime interview Sensei Michel Gosselin View July 27, 2022 Sensei Bruce Perkins interview Sensei Neil Prime View April 2000 Hanshi Shintani discussing kata. View April 2000 Hanshi Shintani discussing Wado-Kai Karate Kata book. View April 2000 Hanshi Shintani discussing teaching. View Oct 21, 1991 Hanshi Shintani Oct 1991 Clinic #4 in Edmonton Alberta View Oct 20, 1991 Hanshi Shintani Oct 1991 Clinic #2 in Edmonton Alberta View Oct 19, 1991 Hanshi Shintani Oct 19, 1991 Main Clinic in Edmonton Alberta View Oct 20, 191 Hanshi Shintani Oct 1991 Clinic #3 in Edmonton Alberta View Load More

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