Shorei-Kan "A True Way of Karate-Do"
Hello, I am James Menear an Instructor at Langley Dojo. A Non-Profit Karate Club in the heart of Fort Langley, B.C. Canada.
The web page you have just accessed is to promote and honor my teacher Head Master, Tomoaki Koyabu Shihan
Seikichi Toguchi the founder of Shorei Kan, and Tomoaki Koyabu's teacher. Toguchi was born in Naha City, Okinawa, Japan. He began to learn karate from his father and at age 15 he trained under Higa Seiko Sensei, a student of Master Chojun Miyagi. Toguchi Sensei was the first of Miyagi Sensei's senior students to establish a new school after Miyagi's death. Toguchi Sensei developed Kata di ich & di ni, as well as Gekisai di san, Gekiha ich & ni, and Kakuha ich and ni. Miyagi Sensei had earlier developed Kata Gekisai di ich & ni. Toguchi Sensei moved to Tokyo Japan in 1960 and in 1962 established Shorei-Kai Meguro Dojo. "Kai" means association and from it came the title "Kaicho". Toguchi Sensei and Haruko-san, his very gracious wife, came to Canada several times, the last time being in 1993. He was small man with a twinkle in his eye and even through the language barrier it was apparent that Toguchi Sensei had a delightful sense of humor.
Tomoaki Koyabu is a native of Japan, who was sent by Master Toguchi originally destined to go to New York City and take Shorei Kan to the U.S.A. However, circumstances brought him to Vancouver in 1972 and shortly after Shorei Kan was established in Canada. Not only has Koyabu Sensei been in Canada for 37 years but it marks 37 years of selfless giving by Koyabu Sensei. There are thousands of people who have trained under Koyabu Sensei and hundreds of black belts produced by him. All owe their skill and martial arts development to him.
Koyabu Sensei will always have a warm place in our hearts. Not only is he one of the most incredible martial artists that you could meet, but he is also a very warm and caring human being who takes so little and gives so much. Today we thank Koyabu Sensei for bringing us Shorei Kan and for dedicating his life to Shorei Kan Canada. We honor you and wish to demonstrate our respect, appreciation, admiration, friendship and affection. Thank you Sensei for the gift of Shorei-Kan Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate.