Message from Sakamoto Shihan Of Goju –Kai 11th April 2007

Hi Deena Sensei. About 30 years ago Gogen Yamaguchi Sensei started a Karate-do College in his Hombu Dojo and accepted students from overseas. There were over 10 students in the first year, from places like Europe, America, South Africa, South Asia and Australia. You came from South Africa and trained hard for 2 years. At that time, I was teaching twice a week with a focus on Goju-ryu Karate Kihon and Kata. At the Karate-Do College, besides Goju-ryu Karate, Inoue-Sensei came from Shizuoka ,200 km away, with 2 assistants to teach Okinawa Kobudo. And besides Goju-ryu Karate, Sensei of Shotokan Karate, shitoryu and others also came to teach. You studied the hardest in all courses, and were very diligent. At this time ,You have moved from South Africa to Australia and established Dojo in Sydney where you teach many students. Rather than the Sports Karate of "Offense is the best defense" You are teaching true Karate of "In Karate there is no first attack" based on Founder Chojun Miyagi Sensei's teachings "Do not get hit by people ,do not hit people, make things as if nothing had happened" and thereby expanding your Dojo. Seiji Sakamoto ( 7th DAN )