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Shintani Wado Kai Senate The Senate is the governing body for the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation. Prior to the death of Hanshi Shintani, the organization was primarily directed by Hanshi Shintani himself with the assistance of the senate. The senate consists of senior ranking members initially appointed by Hanshi Shintani. The Senate held its inaugural meeting on November 1, 1997 in Toronto. At that time Hanshi Shintani signed the new constitution and named Sensei Denis Labbé his successor. Sensei Denis Labbé now heads the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation assisted by the Senate members. Denis Labbé - Kudan (9th Dan) President "Sensei Shintani's influence, changed my life. His impact on me not only benefitted me physically, it helped develop my confidence and to overcome my shyness as a young student to take on a leadership role. Sensei has taught me honor, humility, loyalty, compassion and commitment. In return I dedicate my life to Sensei Shintani and to his organization." - Sensei Denis Labbé More Neil Prime - Hachidan (8th Dan) Director "Other than my own father, Sensei Shintani has been the most influential man in my life." - Sensei Neil Prime More Shelley McGregor - Shichidan (7th Dan) Director "One of the things I remember most of Sensei Shintani visits was how kind and respectful he was to everyone. He always spoke so highly of Otsuka Sensei with admiration, loyalty, fondness and respect. He expressed that his teachings were that of Otsuka Sensei and it was his legacy he was preserving in his teachings. As SWKKF members we must do the same and maintain Sensei Shintani’s legacy. We can do this by keeping his spirit alive through our teachings and demonstration of good character." - Sensei Shelley McGregor More Bruce Perkins - Kudan (9th Dan) Senate Advisor “Karate becomes who you are and how you live your life – you cannot be a good black belt on the floor and change the minute you leave the dojo. A good black belt stands for so many things that are not related to the dojo” – Sensei Bruce Perkins More Danny McCoy - Kudan (9th Dan) Senate Advisor "Sensei Shintani has given me clear direction and instruction which has given me the ability to reach and continue to develop karate the way Mr. Shintani would like." - Sensei Danny McCoy More Ron Mattie - Kudan (9th Dan) Chief Instructor "When you come to a difficult time in your life and have to decide how to deal with it, put yourself 20 years from now and look back at this moment, then ask yourself "how do I wish I had dealt with it then" " - Sensei Ron Mattie More Michel Gosselin - Shichidan (7th Dan) Director "I am so grateful to have met Sensei Shintani and to be a part of what he has created. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that an organization like the SWKKF existed. All across this country we find passionate people who continue to teach Sensei’s important lessons of kindness, humility and respect, through the practice of karate." - Sensei Michel Gosselin More Brian Julien - Godan (5th Dan) Director “I was lucky enough to train with Sensei Shintani in my early formative karate years. I was always amazed that such a quiet, unassuming gentleman could demonstrate his techniques with such explosive speed and power, only to transform back into his humble self moments after the demonstration. It truly was inspirational.” More Brad Cosby - Kudan (9th Dan) Senate Advisor "Sensei Shintani never looked at karate as a "that's all there is, it's a static art", it was always evolving, changing for the better." Sensei Brad Cosby More Brian Chmay - Hachidan (8th Dan). Senate Advisor "I was very fortunate to train directly under Sensei Shintani. He inspired us not so much by his words but of his presence on the dojo. However, one of his quotes I that I will always remember is "You are not finished when you lose, you are finished when you quit." As a young Shodan, I felt that this statement was very important to help me become a better black belt, to strive harder, give your best effort in everything you do and to persevere. Now I realize it was meant as a guide in how to live your life and become the best person you could be. This is a philosophy I like to instill into all of my students." - Sensei Brian Chmay More Jim Atkinson - Hachidan (8th Dan) Vice President & Secretary "Mr. Shintani touched my life the moment I met him with his kindness & gentleness. When I seen him perform I was amazed and will be forever grateful to have his influence in my life." - Sensei Jim Atkinson More Darren Humphries - Shichidan (7th Dan) Director "Sensei Shintani and his senior students have influenced my life since I started Shintani Wado Kai. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from Sensei Shintani during his spring and fall visits to the prairies. His presence in the dojo was unbelievable. When you watched him demonstrate techniques, his power and explosiveness was incredible. In the evenings he captivated everyone by telling stories about his life. Sensei built an amazing organization and I so proud and humbled to be part of it." - Sensei Darren Humphries More Kris Reynolds - Rokudan (6th Dan) Director “I remember as a teenager when Hanshi Shintani would attend tournaments, you could feel the whole room change when he walked in. He commanded such an enormous presence while at the same time a total kind and quiet demeanor. Even at my young age, it was easy to recognize that he had a true confidence derived from competence without ego, a precious and rare quality. We are so lucky that quality is prominent in so many of his direct students in the SWKKF.” More Rick Leveille - Kudan (9th Dan) Senate Advisor "The honesty and integrity Sensei Shintani taught me is the true strength of Wado Karate and are virtues that I live by everyday". Sensei Rick Leveille More Heather Fidyk - Shichidan (7th Dan) Former Senate Member "Sensei Shintani was an incredible inspiration to me and so many others. He served to ever increase his knowledge of Karate but most of all to share his gift of Karate with those who aspired to have it. Sensei Shintani holds a special place in my dedication to the Shintani Karate Federation and the continued development of the amazing organization he created." - Sensei Heather Fidyk More

Shintani News List Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation Senate is pleased to announce the 6th Dan ranking advancement for Senseis Reynolds, Hynes and Fast. Jul 25, 2025 Continue Reading With great pride, the SWKKF Senate and membership would like to congratulate Sensei Ron Mattie, for being inducted into the Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame. Nov 2, 2024 Continue Reading Shindo Photos from National Memorial Tournament held on May 25, 2025. May 25, 2025 Continue Reading How every purchase you make from Hatashita can help fund the Shintani Wado-Kai Karate Federation. Jun 1, 2025 Continue Reading It is with sincere sadness we announce the passing of Sensei Jeff Gervin on March 10, 2025. He held the rank of 7th Dan and was a long time dedicated member of the SWKKF. Mar 10, 2025 Continue Reading We would like to thank all that have generously donated to this year's Logger Family Memorial Fund. This is an amazing tribute to Chris, Wendy & Brittany. Jun 2, 2025 Continue Reading SWKKF 2025 Scholarship Awards Announced Jul 25, 2025 Continue Reading Congratulations to Sensei Neil Prime for being inducted into the Cleveland Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Apr 5, 2025 Continue Reading The SWKKF Senate announce the Dan ranking advancement of Sensei McGregor and Sensei Freeman to Shichidan (7th Dan). Jan 20, 2025 Continue Reading 2025 Reach Award recipients announced at Shintani Annual Memorial Tournament on 24 May 2025 May 24, 2024 Continue Reading The Sensei Jeff Gervin Memorial Fund offers grants of up to $200.00 to support SWKKF students seeking to deepen their martial arts training. Mar 10, 2025 Continue Reading

(519) 718-8665 < Back Port Dover Wado Kai Sensei Tim McCullough (519) 718-8665 mccdover@gmail.com Address Port Dover, ON, Canada Port Dover, ON, Canada N0A 1N0 Practice Times Tuesday/Thursday - 7-8 pm (Juniors) & 8-10 pm (Advanced) Club Website or Social Media Notes Previous Map Next

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.

(780) 706-5549 < Back Peace Region Wado Kai Sensei Clinton McCrea (780) 706-5549 clint.gpkarate@gmail.com Address 8930 111 St. #99, Richmond Industrial Park, Grande Prairie, AB, Canada Grande Prairie, AB, Canada Practice Times Tuesday/Thursday - Youth:6:30-7:30 pm / Adult:7:30-9:00 pm (MDT) Club Website or Social Media Notes Previous Map Next

Legacy Documents Hanshi Masaru Shintani 1997 Calendar Read More Sensei Darren Humphries appointed to senate Read More Sensei Shelley McGregor appointed to senate Read More Sensei Brian Julien appointed to senate Read More Sensei Kris Reynolds appointed to senate Read More SWKKF Senate Authorization Read More SWKKF Successor Read More

(587) 896-0658 < Back Okotoks Wado Kai Sensei Scott McCallum (587) 896-0658 okotoksbb@gmail.com Address 109 Stockton Point Bay 5, Okotoks, Alberta, Canada Okotoks, AB, Canada Practice Times Tuesday/Thursday - 6:30-8:00 pm (Mountain Daylight Time) Club Website or Social Media Notes Previous Map Next

(479) 531-7280 < Back NWA Wado Kai Karate Club Sensei Joanne Johnson (479) 531-7280 nwawadokai@gmail.com Address 4911 West Pleasant Grove Road, Rogers, AR, USA Rogers, AR, USA 72758 Practice Times Thursday all students - 6-8 pm (Central Daylight Time) Club Website or Social Media Notes Previous Map Next

(867) 446-0891 < Back Hay River Wado Kai Karate Club Sempei Aaron Martin (867) 446-0891 azrmartin@gmail.com Address 7 Veterans Rd, Hay River NT X0E0R8 Hay River, NT, Canada Practice Times Monday/Wednesday - Senior Belts - 6-8 pm (Mountain Daylight) Saturday - Regular Classes - 11-1:00 pm (Mountain Daylight) Club Website or Social Media Notes Previous Map Next

Upcoming Events November 2026 Today Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 7:00 PM South East Ontario Black Belt Clinics 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 6:30 PM Delhi Annual Clinic 21 8:30 AM Delhi Annual Tournament 22 10:00 AM Shintani Team Monthly Virtual Wourkouts +1 more 23 9:00 PM Dojo Instructor Virtual Clinic November 2026 24 25 26 27 9:00 AM Saskatchewan Annual Provincial - Moose Mountain Karate Clinic & Tournament +3 more 28 9:00 AM Three Elements Annual Tournament +1 more 29 30 1 2 3 7:00 PM South East Ontario Black Belt Clinics 4 8:00 PM Manitoba/Saskatchewan Black Belt Grading 5 9:00 AM Manitoba/Saskatchewan Black Belt Grading 6 10:00 AM Manitoba Shindo Clinic & Grading 7 8 9 10 11 12 SWKKF Yearly Calendar

Virtual Online Classes offered each day by clubs in the SWKKF Monday Dynamic Karate Assocation Calgary, AB Sensei Darren Humphries darren@dynamickarate.ca Summer Training 7:00 - 9:00 MST (Adult Class Join Here Glamorgan Wado Kai Calgary, AB (MST) Sensei Kevin Bowes info@glamorganwadokai.com 7:30 - 9:30 MST Join Here Tuesday Coming Soon Wednesday Dynamic Karate Assoc. Calgary, AB Sensei Paul Klein pkapaulo9@gmail.com 6:30 - 7:30 MST Family Class 7:30 - 9:25 MST Adult Class Join Here Thursday Glamorgan Wado Kai Calgary, AB (MST) Sensei Kevin Bowes info@glamorganwadokai.com Summer Training 7:30 - 9:30 MST Join Here Friday Welland Martial Arts Centre Welland, ON (EST) Sensei Ron Mattie rmattie@shintani.ca 7:00 - 8:30 EST Join Here Qualicum Beach Qualicum Beach, BC (PST) Sensei Dan McKee umikarate@hotmail.com 6:00 - 8:00 PST Join Here Dynamic Karate Assoc. Calgary, AB Sensei Darren Humphries darren@dynamickarate.ca 5:00 - 6:00 MST Kicking Class Join Here

< Back Rick Leveille - Kudan (9th Dan) Senate Advisor Sensei Leveille was first drawn to the discipline of karate in 1971 after visiting a Shi to-Ryu dojo in Vancouver. However it was not until 1973, after attending a Wado Karate demonstration m Wawa Ontario with Sensei Don Girard, that Sensei Rick started his karate career. It was as a yellow belt that Sensei Rick first met Sensei Shintani. He was immediately impressed by his presence, knowledge, and confidence and began attending classes regularly with him from that time on. He graded to Shodan in March of 1977 and has continued to train and instruct Wado Kai, advancing his rank to Hachidan (8th dan) . Sensei Rick has dedicated his karate career to promoting Wado Kai all over Canada as well as Northern Ontario. He played a pivotal role in developing a network of clubs from Wawa to Fort Francis, Ontario and in 1991 formed the Northwest Ontario Wado Kai Karate Association, which is still active today. Sensei Leveille now lives in Elkford BC, where he has founded the Elk Valley Wado Kai Karate Club. Sensei Rick was awarded the Kudan (9th Dan) from the SWKKF senate December 2021. For a more detailed biography of Sensei Rick Leveille, as well as some personal stories of his training with Sensei Shintani please read the article in the October 2007 Harmonizer.