Genseiryu Karate-do International Federation

	English • dansk

The Genseiryu Karate-do International Federation (国際玄制流空手道連盟, Kokusai Genseiryu Karate-do Renmei), Butokukai Branch (武徳会支部, Butokukai Shibu) was established in 1959 by Kunihiko Tosa and junior co-worker Yohimitsu Furuya who both were part of the first dojo ever established by Seiken Shukumine at the Tachikawa Self Defense Forces.

First Meeting

In or around 1950, Kunihiko Tosa joined the Self Defense Forces (called National Defense Forces at that time). During the years of the SDF, Kunihiko Tosa met the founder of Genseiryu, Seiken Shukumine, for the first time. "There was a sports day at the SDF. In the competition of high jumping, a man jumped over the bar after taking just two steps back. He landed in a cat's stance (Neko-ashi-dachi). The person was Seiken Shukumine, who at that time was an officer of the storage management section. A few days later, Kunihiko Tosa met Shukumine again and asked him if he was doing karate. Shukumine said nothing but took Kunihiko Tosa to the back of a storage. Suddenly Seiken Shukumine jumped over Kunihiko Tosa's head just like in that high jump. When Kunihiko Tosa looked back at Seiken Shukumine, he faced a finger strike (Nuki-te) to his throat. Kunihiko Tosa could not help but ask Seiken Shukumine on the spot to instruct him in karate. At that time Seiken Shukumine had not yet named his style Genseiryu. There was not a well organized dojo, but only a small group of people who recognized Seiken Shukumine's incredibly talented techniques. Seiken Shukumine and his companions created Genseiryu's original katas in those days. Needless to say, that Kunihiko Tosa was one of the participating members".

History

Seiken Shukumine, the founder of Genseiryu accepted his first student, Kunihiko Tosa, in 1952. Seiken Shukumine and Kunihiko Tosa among others worked together on establishing the Genseiryu organization. Unfortunately Seiken Shukumine switched to Taido in 1962, but Kunihiko Tosa continued promoting Genseiryu in Japan as well as internationally.

The Oizumi Gakuen, Tokyo honbu dojo (supreme headquarters) was established in 1959 by Kunihiko Tosa. This dojo was named Butokukai and became the honbu dojo of the Genseiryu Karate-do International Federation that same year. In 1965 an additional dojo was built in Asaka, Saitama Prefecture. Although the Oizumi Gakuen, Tokyo dojo still exists today, the supreme headquarters was moved from Oizumi Gakuen, Tokyo to the new Asaka building in 1965.

The Genseiryu organisation founded by Seiken Shukumine in 1953 was dissolved in late 1961 or early 1962. This is also partly the reason for Kunihiko Tosa to establish the new supreme headquarters of the GKIF in Asaka (Japan) in 1965. To this day, this building continue to be the official worldwide supreme headquarters and honbu dojo of Genseiryu.

The Genseiryu Karate-do International Federation has at least 150 dojos worldwide. Kunihiko Tosa is the Saiko-Shihan (supreme master) and president of the organization. Kunihiko Tosa is recognized as 9th dan (9th level black belt) by the GKIF and as 8th dan (8th level black belt) officially by the Japan Karate-do Federation (JKF). No one else has been awarded such high ranks in Genseiryu, not even the founder, Seiken Shukumine, who was allegedly awarded the rank of 8th dan by the Dai Nippon Butokukai.

The Genseiryu Karate-do International Federation is the only officially recognized organization of Genseiryu in Japan.

Literature

Genseiryu Karate-do Kyohan

Kunihiko Tosa wrote and published the first book ever on Genseiryu in 1984. The book is titled: Genseiryu Karate-do Kyohan 2 - Kata Collection and contains a preface by Seiken Shukumine (1925-2001). The preface can be read in its entirety in both Dutch, English, Japanese and Danish at the site of: GKIF-Denmark. The book contains pictures and detailed descriptions of the nine official advanced kata of Genseiryu (a total of 23 kata are taught and practiced in Genseiryu as part of the official curriculum). A short history of each kata can also be read at the before mentioned site. These are translations from the book and are of course copyrighted material and should be treated as such at all times. The versions of the kata in this book are the versions officially recognized in Japan by Japan Karate-do Federation (JKF). Any other versions or interpretations of these kata are not to be considered as Genseiryu.

Volume 2

The author, Kunihiko Tosa, initially planned a 2 volume series, one containing the basics of Genseiryu and the other containing the advanced kata. Due to the costs of issuing two volumes at that time (early 1980s), Kunihiko Tosa decided to first issue the sequel considering, that a book containing the advanced kata was much more needed than a book about the basics. Kunihiko Tosa is planning to publish the first volume at a later date, thus completing the Genseiryu volumes 1 and 2.

Curriculum

To promote Genseiryu Karate, Kunihiko Tosa created a standard for all Genseiryu practitioners. The GKIF include the following in its curriculum divided into two sections, one for juniors and one for seniors.

Kihon Gyogi

• Shiho Tsuki, Shiho Tsuki Keri, Shiho Nuki, Happo Nuki.

Kata

Kihon Kata

• Taikyoku, Heian Shodan, Heian Nidan, Heian Sandan, Heian Yondan, Heian Godan.

Tanren Kata

• Naihanchi, Wankan, Shukumine no Bassai, Shukumine no Bassai (sho), Sansai, Rohai, Koshokun (dai), Koshokun (sho), Chinto.

Shitei Kata

As officially defined by the Japan Karate-do Federation. These are not part of the curriculum but taught for tournaments only.

• Jion, Kanku (dai), Bassai (dai), Seienchin.
• Empi, Kanku (sho), Nipaipo.

Kobudo kata

• Bo Jutsu Kihon Kata, Bo Jutsu Kumite Kata, Nunchaku Kihon Kata and Nunchaku Kumite Kata.

Sansai, Official Kata

The Japan Karate-do Federation (JKF) has officially approved the kata Sansai, as an official representative kata of Genseiryu Karate-do. In other words, the kata Sansai, which is practiced and taught by the Genseiryu Karate-do International Federation, is the only Sansai that is officially recognized.

Grading

Senior Belt System
1st - 10th dan
1st - 3rd kyu
4th - 6th kyu
7th - 9th kyu

Youth Belt System
1st - 10th dan
1st - 3rd kyu
4th - 6th kyu
7th & 8th kyu
9th & 10th kyu

The juniors (under 15 years of age) have a slightly different belt system than the seniors (15+). Graduations start from the 10th kyu, while the seniors start from the 9th kyu. The grading topics also differ from each other.

Worldwide Head Quarters

• Japan, World HeadQuarters (headed by Soke & Saiko-Shihan Kunihiko Tosa)
• Brazil & South America (headed by Mr. Antonio de Souza Lima)
• Dominican Republic (headed by Mr. Mamoru Hidaka)
• Spain (headed by Mr. Justino Aguilera)
• Denmark, European HeadQuarters (headed by Mr. Peter Lee)
• Australia (headed by Mr. Mauro Saginelli)
• Sri Lanka (headed by Mr. Anura A. Kathihriarachshi)
• India (headed by Mr. Sandeep M.Gade)