Billie and Larry Robin received a 7th Dan Rank and the Shogo Title of Kyoshi.

 

Join us in congratulating our longtime International Karate Kobudo Union (IKKU) friends and members, Billie and Larry Robinson. On January 13, 2024, Soke Joseph Ruiz, 10th Dan Hanshi-Sei of the IKKU, awarded both a 7th Dan rank in karate and the Shogo title of Kyoshi.

The Robinsons have run their own traditional Japanese-based martial arts dojo in Carrollton, GA, for decades. They have successfully taught traditional martial arts to hundreds of students over the years and are pillars of the community. Their rich Shotokan heritage goes back to the old days of the GSL, which now-passed Dave Domer, Sensei, led at the time. RIP.

Well done and well deserved, Kyoshis Billie and Larry!

SHOGO SYSTEM (称号)

Soke Ruiz during the Kyoshi Award Ceremony

For those unfamiliar, the Shogo (称号) System is similar to the ranking used by many Japanese martial arts styles. The word loosely translates to “title” instead of “rank” since many martial arts systems have these as independent systems. Shogo titles are only awarded to higher-level dan, and many organizations use Shogo titles to signify the higher level of understanding, commitment, contribution, and sharing from an individual black belt.

A Shogo title is undoubtedly one of the biggest signs that a Soke, Hanchi, or Kaicho could share with one of their black belts to signify the value and respect they have for the practitioner. Shogo titles are only earned after years of rigorous training, maturity, and character development.

The Shogo system is progressive, only achieved by contributing, growing, sharing, and excelling in the respective art. Commonly used Shogo titles are Renshi, Shihan, Kyoshi, and Hanshi. The IKKU recognizes the system implemented and developed by Soke Joseph Ruiz in the ’70s.

Additional IKKU Information:

Don’t forget our upcoming event, the 2025 IKKU Summer Camp entitled “Camp Tensho.” It is scheduled for June 5 through June 7, 2025, at Robinson Karate Dojo in Carrollton, GA.

For information about joining the IKKU—International Karate Kobudo Union—please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-8 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, the founder of the IKKU, and other High-Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a complete listing of upcoming scheduled sessions, please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps, and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

The post Billie and Larry Robinson Promoted to 7th Dan, Awarded Kyoshi Shogo Title appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.

Soke Ruiz during the Kyoshi award ceremony at the 2023 IKKU Summer Camp

With the world of martial arts dominated by a male presence, it’s not every day that you run across female masters at this level. But here we are on June 9, 2023, with three advanced female masters, all being promoted to 7th Dan and awarded the Shogo Title of Kyoshi (translates to Wizard).

100+ years of combined experience between the ladies!  Previous teachers, dojo leaders, and a published author! They have all successfully taught traditional martial arts, influenced hundreds of students over the years, and are leaders of their communities.

Well done and well deserved, Kyoshis Bee, Cindy, and Connie!

SHOGO SYSTEM (称号)

Kyoshis Cindy Vetter, Bee Morris, and Connie Bon (from L to R) all received the ceremonial gyaku-tsuki (逆突き)

For those unfamiliar, the Shogo (称号) System is similar to the ranking used by many Japanese martial arts styles. The word loosely translates to “title” instead of “rank” since many martial arts systems have these as independent systems. Shogo titles are only awarded to higher-level dan, and many organizations use Shogo titles to signify the higher level of understanding, commitment, contribution, and sharing from an individual black belt.

A Shogo title is undoubtedly one of the biggest signs that a Soke, Hanchi, or Kaicho could share with one of their black belts to signify the value and respect they have for the practitioner. Shogo titles are only earned after years of rigorous training, maturity, and character development.

The Shogo system is progressive, only achieved by contributing, growing, sharing, and excelling in the respective art. Commonly used Shogo titles are Renshi, Shihan, Kyoshi, and Hanshi. The IKKU recognizes the system implemented and developed by Soke Joseph Ruiz in the ’70s.

Additional IKKU Information:

Don’t forget our upcoming event, the 2025 IKKU Summer Camp entitled “Camp Tensho.” It is scheduled for June 5 through June 7, 2025, at Robinson Karate Dojo in Carrollton, GA.

For information about joining the IKKU—International Karate Kobudo Union—please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-8 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, the founder of the IKKU, and other High-Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a complete listing of upcoming scheduled sessions, please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps, and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

The post Day of the Kyoshi appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.

Kyoshi Mike Hoffman receiving his 7th Dan Menjo from Soke Joseph Ruiz.

2022 IKKU Fall Highlight

Join us in congratulating our longtime International Karate Kobudo Union (IKKU) friend and member, Mike Hoffman. On September 24, 2022, Soke Joseph Ruiz, 10th Dan Hanshi-Sei of the IKKU, awarded both a 7th Dan rank in KoToSu-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate and the Shogo title of Kyoshi to Mike Hoffman.

Kyoshi Mike is known on the traditional karate circuit of the Sugar Hills, Georgia area, as the award-winning, prominent sensei at Kita Kaze Karate Kai with over 60,000 votes. Winner of the Gwinnett Daily Post 2019 Reader’s Choice Award for Best Martial Arts Training Facility in the Atlanta Area, Kyoshi Hoffman is the man to see if you or your children are in the Sugar Hills area and seeking traditional martial arts tutelage.

Well done and well deserved, Kyoshi Hoffman!

SHOGO SYSTEM (称号)

Shihan Dai Mike Hoffman submitting his 6th Dan, Shihan Dai Obi to Soke Ruiz before his promotion.

For those unfamiliar, the Shogo (称号) System is similar to the ranking used by many Japanese martial arts styles. The word loosely translates to “title” instead of “rank” since many martial arts systems have these as independent systems. Shogo titles are only awarded to higher-level dan, and many organizations use Shogo titles to signify the higher level of understanding, commitment, contribution, and sharing from an individual black belt.A Shogo title is undoubtedly one of the biggest signs that a Soke, Hanchi, or Kaicho could share with one of their black belts to signify the value and respect they have for the practitioner. Shogo titles are only earned after years of rigorous training, maturity, and character development.

The Shogo system is progressive, only achieved by contributing, growing, sharing, and excelling in the respective art. Commonly used Shogo titles are Renshi, Shihan, Kyoshi, and Hanshi. The IKKU recognizes the system implemented and developed by Soke Joseph Ruiz in the ’70s.

Additional IKKU Information:

Don’t forget our upcoming event, the 2025 IKKU Summer Camp entitled “Camp Tensho.” It is scheduled for June 5 through June 7, 2025, at Robinson Karate Dojo in Carrollton, GA.

For information about joining the IKKU—International Karate Kobudo Union—please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-8 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, the founder of the IKKU, and other High-Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a complete listing of upcoming scheduled sessions, please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps, and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

The post Shogo Title – Kyoshi Mike Hoffman appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.

Renshi Shihan Oka’s Godan Obi and Gi

Welcome to a special edition Camp Highlight fresh from the 2022 35th Annual IKKU Summer Camp. It’s our pleasure to offer stories of significance when the time presents itself. Stories of such significance don’t come along every day but when they do occur we will capture and encapsulate a message for the friends, family, and members of the IKKU.

It’s hard to stress just how difficult it is to begin forming the words and sentences for a post of this significance. It actually goes beyond significance and makes all of us with a connection stop and reflect as we pray quietly to ourselves. She is almost certainly training, smiling, or even laughing in that memory and for me the feeling is very emotional and overwhelming.

She touched many of our lives in such a rich and warm way, offering unbiased love to us all. Nadine is forever in our hearts and memories, and she will be missed beyond words. For example, within two draft sentences of writing this post, as I was replaying my own memories of her, I had to step away as a huge emotional wave hit me like a ton of bricks. I was forced to compose myself as emotions and tears demanded my respect.

On Friday, June 10th, Renshi Shihan Nadine was honored with a commemorative memorial including her Gi and Renshi Obi (shown here being displayed as Godan Rank, 5th Dan). Friends visited and gathered throughout the day as a sign of honor and respect. Karateka of all ranks quietly approached and then bowed as they reflected on special memories with Nadine that will now be forever treasured.

Shogo System (称号)

Shihan Dai Oka’s Rokudan Obi and Menjo

For those unfamiliar, the Shogo (称号) System is a similar system to ranking used by many Japanese martial arts styles. The word loosely translates to “title” as opposed to “rank” since many martial arts systems have these as independent systems from each other. Shogo titles are only awarded to higher-level dan and many organization use Shogo titles to signify the higher level of understanding, commitment, contribution and sharing from an individual black belt.

A Shogo title is undoubtedly one of the biggest signs that a Soke, Hanchi, or Kaicho could share with one of their black belts to signify the value and respect they have for the practitioner. Shogo titles are only earned after years of rigorous training, maturity, and character development.

The Shogo system is a progressive system only achieved by contributing, growing, sharing, and excelling in the respective art. Commonly used Shogo titles are Renshi, Shihan, Kyoshi, and Hanshi. The IKKU recognizes the system implemented and developed by Soke Joseph Ruiz in the ’70s.

Nadine Oka had tested previously and earned the rank of Godan, 5th Dan and the Shogo title of Renshi Shihan, Master Instructor.

Posthumous Promotion Ceremony

Kyoshi-Sei Griffin receives Nadine’s signed Promotion Certificates from Soke Ruiz

During an unannounced black belt promotion ceremony at the 35th Annual IKKU Summer Camp on Saturday June 11, the executive high-dan board bowed in the camp participants and Soke Ruiz began a promotion ceremony for our beloved and honorable fallen warrior, Renshi Shihan Nadine Oka. In our time honored tradition of promotions and ranking Nadine Oka was awarded the Rank of 6th Dan in Koto-Su Ha Shito-Ryu and the honored Shogo title of Shihan Dai which is equivalent to an Advanced Master Instructor.

Promotions such as this are rare and are almost exclusively used as a sign of deep respect and understanding of the karateka’s talent, commitment, and martial spirit. Godan, 5th Dan represents the end of testing for many martial arts systems. After that point higher levels are achieved by the individual commitment one gives back to the art.

Nadine’s promotion to 6th Dan, Rokudan literally brought on tears across the room. A rush of emotions swept across the floor as Soke Ruiz read out the Rank and Title Certificates for Shihan Dai Nadine Oka. Following Soke’s presentation each karateka approached the memorial and bowed as a sign of respect, love, and celebration to the newly awarded Shihan Dai Nadine Oka.

Following was a circle prayer where everyone held hands together as we celebrated Nadine’s spirit. There was a short break following where karateka was able to recompose themselves after emotions and tears dominated the moment. Shihan Dai Nadine Oka’s influence on our organization will last for years to come through stories and spirit as we relive those magic moments of friendship and bonding on the dojo floor and afterwards during socials.

I will be thinking of you every time I bow in and out of class and until we meet again on the greatest dojo floor of them all.

OSU!

REI!

Memories of Nadine Oka – by Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin, 8th Dan

Renshi Shihan Nadine Oka, Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin and Renshi Shihan Barbara Hughes

I am compelled to share some fond memories of Nadine. I first met Nadine in 2000 when she joined the IKKU and the Keishin Karate Kai Dojo at Meadowcreek High School. It didn’t take long to know she would be a special student. She was confident and determined. Nadine began her Kotosu-Ha Shito-Ryu training as a white belt. After several years of dedicated training she attained the rank of Godan (5th Black Belt) and the Title of Renshi Shihan (Master Instructor). We could always depend on Nadine to take a group of lower rank students aside and instruct them at the various IKKU seminars and camps.

Nadine was very accomplished with many of the weapons taught in the IKKU. In particular she had a passion for the Tonfa. We could depend on her to keep us straight as we worked Tonfa during seminars and camps. She was affectionally given the name of the “IKKU Tonfa Queen”.

Nadine was a fierce competitor. She was very active in the Georgia Karate League. She achieved her Referee License and won several State Champion Awards during her years of competing. There was a small area in her home where she displayed her rank certificates, medals and trophies. She helped many fellow karateka’s train for their tests in her home dojo. Soke Ruiz named her dojo the “SHODAI”, meaning little dojo.

Nadine warmly opened her home to Soke and Gloria, to fellow travelers from Maine, Florida and Tennessee that would come into town for various camps and seminars. We had many wonderful post event gatherings at the OKA Hotel and Tequila Bar.

Nadine was a wonderful student. She always had my back. But more than anything Nadine was a dear friend. She was like a sister to me. We will miss her dearly.

Larry Griffin, Kyoshi-Sei
Keishin Karate Kai

We have left a comment section opened below so please feel free to share your memories of Nadine or express your respectful sentiment with the group.

The post Posthumous Promotion of Renshi Shihan Nadine Oka appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.

Join us in congratulating our longtime International Karate Kobudo Union (IKKU) friend and member, Mike Downton. On September 18, 2021, Soke Joseph Ruiz, 10th Dan Hanshi-Sei of the IKKU, awarded both a 7th Dan rank in KoToSu-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate and the Shogo title of Kyoshi to Mike Downton.

Kyoshi Mike has been exposed to traditional karate for his entire life. Born into a traditional martial arts-practicing family, he was provided with expert-level tutelage from an early age. His promotion and rank of Kyoshi are fitting (translates to Wizard), because Kyoshi Mike is nothing short of a wizard on the floor. He is known on the traditional karate circuit in the Eastern Georgia area as the prominent sensei at Tora Shin dojo, spearheading the Karate Kollege effort.

Well done and well deserved, Kyoshi Mike Downton!

SHOGO SYSTEM (称号)

For those unfamiliar, the Shogo (称号) System is similar to the ranking used by many Japanese martial arts styles. The word loosely translates to “title” instead of “rank” since many martial arts systems have these as independent systems. Shogo titles are only awarded to higher-level dan, and many organizations use Shogo titles to signify the higher level of understanding, commitment, contribution, and sharing from an individual black belt.A Shogo title is undoubtedly one of the biggest signs that a Soke, Hanchi, or Kaicho could share with one of their black belts to signify the value and respect they have for the practitioner. Shogo titles are only earned after years of rigorous training, maturity, and character development.

The Shogo system is progressive, only achieved by contributing, growing, sharing, and excelling in the respective art. Commonly used Shogo titles are Renshi, Shihan, Kyoshi, and Hanshi. The IKKU recognizes the system implemented and developed by Soke Joseph Ruiz in the ’70s.

Additional IKKU Information:

Don’t forget our upcoming event, the 2025 IKKU Summer Camp entitled “Camp Tensho.” It is scheduled for June 5 through June 7, 2025, at Robinson Karate Dojo in Carrollton, GA.

For information about joining the IKKU—International Karate Kobudo Union—please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-8 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, the founder of the IKKU, and other High-Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a complete listing of upcoming scheduled sessions, please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps, and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

The post Shogo Title – Kyoshi Mike Downton appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.