About Hoshindo
Traditional Karate for Everyone.
At Hoshindo, we have all watched the Karate Kid Movie at least 3 times.
Hoshindo was founded in 2005 by Roderick Martin Shihan (7th Dan JKF Gojukai, 7th Dan Seiwakai Gojuryu) and Malwina Martin Shihan (6th Dan JKF Gojukai, 6th Dan Seiwakai Gojuryu,) in Brisbane, Queensland.
Since the establishment of Hoshindo Brisbane, many professional, and talented karateka have joined the Hoshindo family, with a dojo in Manchester UK, and here in Adelaide, SA.
Hoshindo train in the style of Goju Ryu Karate, and are part of the Seiwakai Goju Ryu organisation, (Japan,) under the Japan Karate Federation (JKF) Gojukai (Japan.)
Hoshindo Adelaide Instructors
Here in Adelaide, our classes are instructed by Damien Seidel Sensei (5th Dan JKF Gojukai, 5th Dan Seiwakai Gojuryu,) and Naomi Higgs Sensei, (4th Dan JKF Gojukai, 4th Dan Seiwakai Gojuryu) who have trained with the top 8th Dan instructors of JKF and Seiwakai both locally and in Japan. Our great team of JKF / Seiwakai graded black belts also lend a friendly hand helping in the training and upskilling of each other and to all the lower graded students on their aspiring karate journey.
What is Goju Ryu Karate Do?
The style of karate in which Hoshindo trains is Goju Ryu, originating in Okinawa, and has an extensive history predating the 1800s. The term 'Goju Ryu' means 'Hard - Soft,' alluding to its nature of both strong and robust closed fist techniques, as well as the 'soft' fluidity of the open handed movements.
Traditional Okinawan Karate took form with influence from Chinese martial arts techniques and philosophies, such as Kempo and Kung Fu, but was adapted and refined as its own martial art, known as 'Te,' (hand) by Master Higaonna Kanryo of Okinawa. It is also worth noting that Okinawa was under Japanese suppression at the time, which included many harsh restrictions such as carrying weapons or even practicing martial arts, giving them all the more reason to practice self defence.
It was Kanryo's best student, Chojun Miyagi who further refined the martial art and pioneered the Goju Ryu style, which the Japan Karate Federation (JKF) Gojukai seek to preserve today.
The Okinawan martial art already had different styles by the time it was introduced to Japan, but was renamed as 'Karate-Do' to sound more 'Japanese' during a time of Japan-China conflict. Karate has since been adapted into many further styles, gaining popularity in not only Western society, but globally, and is practiced worldwide, but Goju Ryu remains as one of the true authentic, traditional styles of karate.
JKF Gojukai and Seiwakai
The Japan Karate Federation was founded in 1964 to organise and oversee all styles of traditional Japanese Karate, including Goju Ryu Karate-Do.
The majority of traditional Goju Ryo organisations are part of the JKF Goju kai.
Seiwakai Goju Ryu is one of the 13 organisations under the JKF Goju Kai and was founded by Shuji Tasaki Hanshi (1933-2011.)
Tasaki Hanshi trained in Goju Ryu under Gogen Yamaguchi and formed Seiwakai Gojuryu in 1971.
Currently Seiichi Fujiwara Hanshi (pictured) is the president and chief instructor of Seiwakai Goju Ryu International and is head of the overseas committee.
Training with Hoshindo
Kata
Routine and pattern of karate movements and technique
'Kata' is the Japanese term for 'form.' In karate, kata is a series of moves and technique and stances.
Kata is the way of demonstrating understanding and technique of one's karate, increasing in complexity as their experience grows.
Ido-Kihon & Drills
Basics, technique & movement
Practice of applying movements and techniques of traditional Goju karate stances, strikes and blocks.
These act as the foundation to our karate, and allows us to improve in kata, kumite, fitness, and energy.
Seminars
Learn from Senior Seiwakai and JKF Instructors
Partake in JKF and Seiwakai seminars, where the top instructors across Japan and other JKF affiliated clubs attend to teach and learn.
Kumite
Put your technique to practice in partner sparring
Our safe practices in partner sparring allow us to apply our karate in context, without risk of getting hurt.
Kumite is great for cardio and strength building, as well as increasing skill and appreciation for karate technique.
Gradings
Progress through the ranks!
Embarking through the colours of the belts is nothing more than satisfying.
Progress from white belt to brown belt under Hoshindo, but our Shodan (1st Black Belt) and above are assessed under JKF and Seiwakai.
Tournaments
There will always be a competition to look forward to
Every year there is an opportunity to attend JKF Australia tournaments, with many of our students bringing back medals from the mats in kata and kumite.
