Asato Dojo Winter Seminar
5 day karate seminar and tour program in Okinawa with local and internationally renowned instructors
Okinawa Dec 26th – 30th 2023
Tomari-te Karate and Kishimoto-Di – learn the essence of traditional Okinawan martial arts
Join us on the 2023 Asato Dojo International Winter Seminar.
Our year end seminars are designed to maximise your opportunity to learn directly and deeply in a small group.
Open only to a maximum of 18 attendees, with 2 days in-depth study with each instructor (16-20 hours total), you will come away with knowledge and skills to enhance your practice and teaching.
In addition you will enjoy a historical and cultural tour day and additional time with instructors and fellow participants over dinner.
Seminar Information
Seminar Contents
This year we focus on two very traditional styles of Okinawan martial arts – Tomari-te and Kishimoto-Di. Both arts were developed by the Shuri Bushi (the samurai of old Ryukyu/Okinawa) in order to keep law and order and protect the king’s domain.
Tomari-te (the fighting technique of Tomari area) was handed down by Bushi responsible for the old port area of the capital city in Okinawa. It includes many very effective techniques to disable, take down and pacify opponents. In fact Tomari-te was praised by such significant figures as Itosu Anko, the father of modern karate and Nagamine Shoshin who created the Matsubayashi school, and forms much of the base of popular karate systems such as Shotokan and Shito-ryu. However where these modern schools watered down the old techniques to used in the school education system, the original kata retain the original brutally effective techniques developed before 1900. In this seminar we will examine kata such as Wankan, Wanshu, Rohai, Tomari Chinto and Tomari Passai to draw out core skills and fighting strategies such as Muchimi-di, Maki-di, Kuzushi-di and more. This 2 day course will be taught by James Pankiewicz sensei.
Kishimoto-di – a family style handed down through the Tachimura and Kishimoto Bushi families in service of the Ryukyu King. These Bushi held important roles as guards at Shuri castle and tax collectors for the king requiring them to have exceptionally functional and well tested martial arts ability. Fortunately this family style was transmitted down through family dojo in Shuri and is taught today by Ulf Karlsson sensei, the only non-Okinawan practitioner licenced to teach these arts. Kishimoto-di is built around a handful of core principles and only 4 unique intepretations of kata – Naihanchi, Nidanbu, Passai and Kusanku. In this seminar you will practice a range of 2 person drills based on those kata practices to learn effective skills such as combining defense and attack as one, slipping in through the defensive stance to break the balance and hitting with full body coordination.
Location and Dates
You will be based in Naha, capital city of Okinawa. Naha airport is only 20 minutes from the city centre. You will be training in locations in Naha and around Okinawa island such as private dojos and dedicated facilities such as the Karate Kaikan and Budokan dojo.
You are requested to arrive in Naha by 3pm Dec 25th for the seminar orientation meeting and welcome dinner thereafter. The seminar program will finish on Dec 30th with the final celebration dinner and awards.
What is included in the seminar package (and not included)?
The seminar package includes the orientation and welcome dinner, 4 consecutive days of training and tours (Dec 26th – Dec 30th), completion certificate, the final celebration dinner and an exclusive Seminar Group t-shirt.
The seminar package does not include your flights to and from Okinawa, accommodation, meals other than the two group dinners, local transport.
How much does the seminar package cost? How can I pay?
The seminar package cost is $450 or 65,000 yen.
We are happy to provide receipts for tax deductible purposes.
Payment is accepted via Wise or Paypal transfer. Full payment must be received in advance of the seminar to secure your reservation. Once we receive your reservation request and respond you will have 4 weeks to complete payment.
There are only 18 places available in total on this small group seminar
This event in Okinawa is sure to sell out quick so don’t delay, reserve your place today. Reserve your place(s) using the online form and we will contact you by email with confirmation and payment instructions.
Payments can be made in installments subject to early reservation.
Your Accommodation in Naha City
Naha city has many good quality hotels and guest houses within walking distance of public transport and the city center. Choose accommodation near Makishi station, Miebashi station, Kokusaidori or Omoromachi to be within easy walking distance of the Asato Dojo.
We recommend online sites such as booking.com, hotels.com, etc for good value deals on accommodation and travel.
Daily Schedule Plan
Orientation – December 25th Monday
Attendees to arrive in Naha.
Orientation meeting at Asato Dojo from 5pm. Welcome dinner party follows in Naha city center.
Day 1 – December 26th Tuesday
James Pankiewicz sensei – Tomari-te
Morning seminar session 9am – 12 noon.
Afternoon seminar session 2pm – 5pm
Day 2 – December 27th Wednesday
James Pankiewicz sensei – Tomari-te
Morning seminar session 9am – 12 noon.
Afternoon seminar session 2pm – 5pm
Option to have dinner with James sensei
Day 3 – December 28th Thursday
Tour Day – we will visit a number of historical and cultural sites around Okinawa island which relate to the history of Kishimoto-di and Tomari-te karate development.
Day 4 – December 29th Friday
Ulf Karlsson sensei – Kishimoto-di
Morning seminar session 9am – 12 noon.
Afternoon seminar session 2pm – 5pm
Day 5 – December 30th Saturday
Ulf Karlsson sensei – Kishimoto-di
Morning seminar session 9am – 12 noon.
Afternoon seminar session 2pm – 5pm
Celebration dinner with both instructors – fully catered with drinks
Day 6 – December 31th
Free day + New Years Eve Festival
Free time to use for local shopping and site seeing and and invitation to visit the local temple with us for New Years Eve celebrations – see in the Japanese New Year (正月, Shōgatsu) in style and good company! We will go through midnight and do the traditional temple visit for Hatsumode and local festival activities.