About Us
Kenseikan" can have various interpretations. The term 'Kensei' was historically attributed to revered Samurai Saints in Okinawa, known as "Legendary Sword Saints." These individuals were highly skilled, sharp, honest, and lethal. Japan Karate-Do Kenseikan is a karate school that embodies honesty, strength, and sacredness in both fists and minds. We hold the noble spirit, honesty, and a high degree of perfection in the highest regard. Japan Karate-Do Kenseikan is an international karate training school with its headquarters in Nerimaku, Japan. Our mission is to promote Kenseikan Karate in Canada while offering a cost-effective alternative to expensive karate training. |
Kenseikan Canada Logo
Kenseikan Karate BUN-BUSHI Emblem
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We blend traditional Japanese Karate "Shotokan" with innovative and unique training techniques developed by Kenseikan International President Hon. Shihan Wataru Okawa (Black-Belt 8th Dan).
Some of our students have been selected to participate in various International Karate Championship Tournaments. We also have instructors training in the U.S.A and Fiji, among other locations.
Our organization was officially founded in 1996 on the 1st Death Anniversary of Shihan Wataru Okawa to honor and commemorate all the Karate teachers of Kenseikan Karate-Do and to carry on their vision. Our Sensei began teaching Karate in Canada at schools in Toronto as the chief instructor. On September 7, 1994, he introduced Kenseikan Karate to Canada. The organization was officially established on September 15, 1996, as a Not for Profit Organization to mark the 1st death anniversary of Shihan Okawa. We take pride in maintaining our minimal Membership Fee from the beginning, merely to cover operating costs. We have made Karate affordable for everyone. Our current International President is Ms. Fusako Okawa, and the International Chief Instructor is Shihan-dai Kiyochika Oka, Japan.
This school stands out through the integrity of its students and the power of their practice. We believe in strength tempered with reverence, both physically and mentally. Our fists are tools for self-defense and discipline, guided by a deep respect for the spirit. We honor the noble aspirations of this art, striving for excellence in all that we do. Through dedication and unwavering focus, we seek to embody the true essence of this ancient practice.
Some of our students have been selected to participate in various International Karate Championship Tournaments. We also have instructors training in the U.S.A and Fiji, among other locations.
Our organization was officially founded in 1996 on the 1st Death Anniversary of Shihan Wataru Okawa to honor and commemorate all the Karate teachers of Kenseikan Karate-Do and to carry on their vision. Our Sensei began teaching Karate in Canada at schools in Toronto as the chief instructor. On September 7, 1994, he introduced Kenseikan Karate to Canada. The organization was officially established on September 15, 1996, as a Not for Profit Organization to mark the 1st death anniversary of Shihan Okawa. We take pride in maintaining our minimal Membership Fee from the beginning, merely to cover operating costs. We have made Karate affordable for everyone. Our current International President is Ms. Fusako Okawa, and the International Chief Instructor is Shihan-dai Kiyochika Oka, Japan.
This school stands out through the integrity of its students and the power of their practice. We believe in strength tempered with reverence, both physically and mentally. Our fists are tools for self-defense and discipline, guided by a deep respect for the spirit. We honor the noble aspirations of this art, striving for excellence in all that we do. Through dedication and unwavering focus, we seek to embody the true essence of this ancient practice.
Legends of Kenseikan Karate-Do and History of Kenseikan Canada
About Shihan Wataru Okawa (8th Dan)
The founder and chief Instructor of Japan Karate-Do Kenseikan traces his lineage back to the founder of modern karate himself, Grand Master Gichin Funakoshi. Funakoshi’s student, Sensei Minoru Miyata, became one of a select few in the history of karate to receive a 9th degree black belt, and he in turn instructed Okawa who was a Senpai.
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Mrs. Okawa wrote about him:
Mr. Okawa was born in Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture in Kyushu Islands which is located at southern part of Japan on January 6th, 1933 as the second son of Mr. Shizuka Okawa. The Okawa's was the land owner of the town named as Okawara and they were fairly wealthy then. His father was appointed as a police station manager in Koushu, Korea which was Japan's territory during WWII. Mr. Okawa stayed there until he was 13 years old. One year earlier the war ended, the family went back to Japan. After the war, their lands were confiscated as Agrarian Reform. Mr. Okawa went to Fukuoka Prefecture which is major city in Kyushu. He attended Fukuoka High School, and there he met his Judo teacher, Mr. Eto, who was one of the Kodokan Judo instructors. Under him he practiced Judo everyday, and soon he became assistant teacher and he taught Judo for his teacher almost every day. He got 4th dan. During those days he leaned Aikido, Karate, and old martial arts as well. |
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When he was 20 years old he believe Karate was the most strongest and effective martial art of the world. In those days, he met late Mr. Miyata, he was a chief instructor of Japan Karate Association which is the biggest Karate school in the world. His powerful strikes and kicks impressed Mr. Okawa very much. As I heard from Mr. Okawa, he practiced Karate only 1 year or so under him.
He practised Karate almost by himself and made up kata's and so on on his own. Of course he studied the old kata's and other practical lessons through the old books but most of them were useless, once he told me. In those days, he organized Karate-Do Kenseikan.
When he was 28 years old, he became a high school teacher in Fukuoka, there he taught Karate as one of after school activities. A few years later his school became one of the strongest high schools in Japan. Eight years later, he was appointed as a college instructor in Fukuda Gakuen, Fukuoka. We met there as I was a college student.
Four years later, he moved to Tokyo as he would like to teach Karate to much more well-motivated people. In Tokyo, he taught NTT company employees who were Mr. Osanai, Mr. Oga and Mr. Oka from the very beginning, now they are instructors of Kenseikan Japan. Since then he taught many students of Wakeijuku Dormitory or children's of many places in Tokyo. In Tokyo Kenseikan had four practicing places included Wakeijuku and one in Kyushu.
Unfortunately Mr. Okawa passed away of Leukemia on September 15th, 1995. But his Karate has been handed down to his students. I sincerely hope you can also hand down to your students of Kenseikan Karate in Canada.
By: F. Okawa, President of Kenseikan International
He practised Karate almost by himself and made up kata's and so on on his own. Of course he studied the old kata's and other practical lessons through the old books but most of them were useless, once he told me. In those days, he organized Karate-Do Kenseikan.
When he was 28 years old, he became a high school teacher in Fukuoka, there he taught Karate as one of after school activities. A few years later his school became one of the strongest high schools in Japan. Eight years later, he was appointed as a college instructor in Fukuda Gakuen, Fukuoka. We met there as I was a college student.
Four years later, he moved to Tokyo as he would like to teach Karate to much more well-motivated people. In Tokyo, he taught NTT company employees who were Mr. Osanai, Mr. Oga and Mr. Oka from the very beginning, now they are instructors of Kenseikan Japan. Since then he taught many students of Wakeijuku Dormitory or children's of many places in Tokyo. In Tokyo Kenseikan had four practicing places included Wakeijuku and one in Kyushu.
Unfortunately Mr. Okawa passed away of Leukemia on September 15th, 1995. But his Karate has been handed down to his students. I sincerely hope you can also hand down to your students of Kenseikan Karate in Canada.
By: F. Okawa, President of Kenseikan International
Mrs. F. Okawa President of Kenseikan International and Son Fumitake Okawa
Shotokan Oath (Dojo Kun)
I Shall Seek Perfection of Character
Jinkaku Kansei Ni Tsutomeru Koto
I Shall Be Faithful
Makatono Michi O Mamoru Koto
I Shall Endevour
Doryoku No Seishin O Yashinau Koto
I Shall Respect Others
Reigo O Omonzuru Koto
I Shall Refrain from Violent Behaviour
Kekkino Yu O Imashimeru Koto
Jinkaku Kansei Ni Tsutomeru Koto
I Shall Be Faithful
Makatono Michi O Mamoru Koto
I Shall Endevour
Doryoku No Seishin O Yashinau Koto
I Shall Respect Others
Reigo O Omonzuru Koto
I Shall Refrain from Violent Behaviour
Kekkino Yu O Imashimeru Koto
Watch Shihan Dai Osanai and Kenseikan Team in Bruce Lee's Documentary
Affiliations
Karate Ontario Federation is the regulatory body which governs the sport of karate in Ontario. The Karate-Do Kenseikan Canada is a member of Karate Ontario. Karate Ontario is the only body recognized by the Ontario government for karate in the province.
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The World Karate Federation, or WKF, was formed in 1990 from former WUKO (World Union of Karate-Do Organizations)members and is the largest international governing body of sport karate with over 130 member countries.
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Karate Ontario operates under the auspices of the Sport Alliance of Ontario (sport alliance) a not-for-profit organization that delivers sport development programs and services throughout Ontario in partnership with provincial and community organizations.
Similarly, the National Karate Association operates under the auspices of Sports Canada, |
