WELCOME TO MARS HILL SHOTOKAN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
IN MEMORY
Master Hidetaka Nishiyama
(October 10, 1928 - November 7, 2008)
Karate-ka,
I regretfully bring you bad news. Sensei Hidetaka Nishiyama passed away about a month ago. I only found out very recently. Sensei was one of the original ambassadors sent out of Japan by Sensei Gichin Funakoshi to carry traditional Shotokan karate to the world. He came to Los Angeles where he chose to live out his life. When Sensei Nakayama died several years ago, Sensei Nishiyama was the obvious choice to lead the Japan Karate Association (JKA) which he had been a co-founder. He turned down this honor due to his love for living in the United States. Sensei later founded the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF). Our school is affiliated with both organizations. Sensei was the ALL JAPAN world champion for several years in his younger days. Later in life he was awarded Judan (10th Dan) which is the highest rank in our organization, and even chosen by the Japanese government as a “living national treasure” for his efforts in bringing Karate and good will to the world. I was also honored to have trained and tested under Sensei, as well as becoming personally acquainted with him. Being in his presence was truly being in the presence of GREATNESS. Those times are among the highlights of my life. You, as Karate-ka in traditional Shotokan, carry the same heritage. Your responsibility is to train and practice your Karate in the same spirit that Sensei did. In this way, Nishiyama will always be with us. My responsibility is to teach you traditional Shotokan karate to the best of my ability with no changes or modifications to that system. Let us all carry the spirit of traditional Shotokan karate that has been given to us by Sensei’s Matsumura, Itosu, Funakoshi, Nakayama, and Nishiyama. I will miss my Sensei.
Sincerely,
Sensei Don
NEW ARTICLE IN IMPORTANT INFORMATION SECTION
CLICK HERE>>>NEW IMAGE FITNESS<<<CLICK HERE
WE ARE DEDICATED TO THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF TRADITIONAL SHOTOKAN KARATE
WE WELCOME ALL VISITORS TO OUR CLASSES
PLEASE COME BY AND VISIT OUR CLASSES
AND
ENJOY THE SITE.
INSTRUCTORS :
SENSEI: DON LINVILLE (SANDAN)
SEMPAI: DOUG OLSEN (SHODAN)
PLEASE VISIT THE "IMPORTANT INFORMATION" SECTION
CLASS LOCATION:
NEW IMAGE FITNESS 7394 NC HWY 213, Mars Hill, NC
or click link above.
CLASS TIMES:
LITTLE TIGERS (4yrs -Intermediate):
Tuesdays from 6:30pm-7:15 pm
INTERMEDIATE (Sensei's promotion):
Thursdays from 6:30pm-7:15pm
ADULTS:
Tuesday and Thursday 7:15pm- 8:15 pm
LETTER FROM SENSEI:
We are a traditional Japanese style. Shotokan karate is one of the most widely recognized and practiced martial arts forms in the world. Our style is affiliated with the Japan Karate Association (JKA). I am a lifetime member of the JKA. Our school is affiliated with the JKA through me, the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) through me, and the United Shotokan Karate Federation (USKF) through all members receiving rank promotions at this school.
Shotokan karate is based upon a series of punches, blocks, and kicks. It is a very straight-forward system. Being of Japanese origin, it focuses on more punches than kicks, typical of a traditional Japanese systems of fighting. Although there are some arm-bars, wrist-twists, etc. the system does not focus on “submission” fighting, like the styles that are so prevalent on TV right now. We focus on making the maximum amount of power based on the physics of the body and applying that power effectively to vulnerable targets. Technically, we subscribe to an old adage stating “a strong offense is a strong defense”. Traditional Shotokan styles exercises and katas start with a block. This emphasizes the defensive nature of Shotokan. However, we are trained to deliver the blocks with such intensity and focus that they are actually attacks (offense). This is intended to either disable the attacker or change his/her mind about the continuation of the attack. Our classes are NOT gymnastics, dance, or flashy. We try to teach “down to business” techniques that can be applied as self defense against one or more attackers. We learn to practice “zan-shin” which roughly translated means “perfect finish”. A perfect technique, delivered perfectly will stop an attack. One of the credos of Shotokan karate is “seek perfection”. Therefore, with our practice and strick adherence to traditional training, we “seek perfection” in our fighting style, in our way of applying our techniques, and our attitude toward our art. This leads us to attention to detail, which to some styles would seem minor. However, nothing about perfection is minor.
