The History

Okinawa is a small island of the group that comprises modern day Japan. It is the main island in the chain of Ryuku Islands which spans from Japan to Taiwan. Being at the crossroads of major trading routes, its significance as a "resting spot" was first discovered by the Chinese trading with Japan.

In its earliest stages, the martial art known as "Karate-do" was an indigenous form of closed fist fighting which was developed in Okinawa and called Te, or "hand."

Te continued to develop over the years, primarily in three Okinawan cities: Shuri, Naha and Tomari. Collectively, they were called Okinawa-Te or Tode, "Chinese hand." Gradually, Okinawa-Te was divided into three main groups: Shuri-Te, Naha-Te and Tomari-Te. Beneath their surface differences, the aims of all Okinawan Karate-do are one in the same.

Tode was later changed to Karate-do by Gichin Funakoshi who adopted an alternate meaning for the Chinese character for kara, "empty." From this point on the term karate came to mean "empty hand." The "do" in karate-do means "way" or "path" and is indicative of the discipline and philosophy of Karate-do with moral and spiritual connotations.

The first public demonstration of karate in Japan was in 1917 by Gichin Funakoshi, at the Butoku-den in Kyoto. This, and subsequent demonstrations, greatly impressed many Japanese, including the Crown-Prince Hirohito, who was very enthusiastic about the Okinawan art. In 1922, Dr. Jano Kano, founder of the Japanese art of Judo, invited Funakoshi to demonstrate at the famous Kodokan Dojo and to remain in Japan to teach Karate-do. This sponsorship was instrumental in establishing a base for Karate-do in Japan.

Our Lineage

Karate-do, as it is practiced in the Northbay Budokan Dojo, is made up of the ancestral teachings of Sensei Matsumura Sokan, Sensei Kanryo Higaonna, Sensei Ankoh Itosu,  Sensei Gichin Funakoshi, Sensei Hironori Otsuka, Sensei Chojun Miyagi, Sensei Kenwa Mabuni, Sensei Gogen Yamaguchi,  as well as the teachings of Shihan Sensei Katsushi Iwabuchi, Shihan Sensei Fumio Demura, Shihan Sensei Bernard Edwards and Sensei Dennis Peacocke.

The Practice

The object of true Karate-do practice is the perfection of oneself through the perfection of the art. The values of Karate-do to people in today's society are numerous, including the positive impact of exercise to both our physical and mental health. The practice of Karate-do tones the body, develops coordination, quickens reflexes, builds stamina, promotes relaxation and relieves stress.

The Karate-do trainee must adhere to learning correct kihon techniques. The next step is to practice combinations of the kihon techniques through various forms of ancient kata. Students then learn how to apply the kihon techniques through different levels of "kumite" or sparring. Within sparring training there is four distinct levels; "ippon kumite" (predetermined one technique sparing), "sanbon kumite" (predetermined three techniques sparring), "jyuu ippon kumite" (free style one step sparring ) through to "jyuu kumite" (free sparring). Through this learning system, students can achieve mastery of Karate-Do.

Serious practice of Karate-do develops composure, a clearer thought process, deeper insight into one's mental capabilities, and more self-confidence. In this, Karate-do is not an end, but a means to an end. Karate encourages proficiency and the keen coordination of mind and body. It is an activity in which advancing age is not a hindrance.

Our Values

We view our classes for both children and adults as an opportunity to create an atmosphere which models sound character and virtue. To us, the study and sharing of this art is an act of service to others.

We require the following character attributes to be displayed in order to maintain rank and membership in our school:

1. Respect for authority as manifested in the dojo and with our instructors and fellow students.

2. Trust as manifested in both self-government during physical training and contact, as well as the ability to address and successfully work through confrontation or adjustment relative to character or attitudinal issues.

3. Humility as manifested by both one's ability to receive correction and their willingness to serve the dojo and its needs enthusiastically.

4. Excellence as manifested in the desire to execute the utmost physical and character skills developed through training and display them correctly in our homes, schools, workplaces or other activities of spiritual growth.

Out of these character elements we believe we can and do produce a level of excellence in the art, sport and self-defense attributes of the marital arts.