July 2006 News from Gojuryu.net, NEW Book: Richard Kim: 20th Century Samurai

Onegaishimasu Mina-sama,

July comes upon us fairly quickly every year. Tiss the season for Shiai and Gasshuku [competition & seminar], fala la la laa ..... oh that's another time. Because of all the get togethers we would like to remind everyone to please post a note to the forums "Seminar, Event, Video & Book reviews" area. Its a great way to keep eachother updated regarding who is in town or coming and on the way. This is for everyone across the globe, not only the Americas!

In this months primary subjects and matters we've received a large amount of input regarding "The Golden Years - 1960's v.s. 2006". Many of the players of yester-year are also members of Gojuryu.net and we always enjoy their input and comparisons "yesterday vs today". An interesting topic and subject matter ranging from why the splits to who's really tougher. The topic comes with perfect planning of the release of the New Book titled "Richard Kim: 20th Century Samurai - Special Collector's Edition for only $99.99" and is now in stock. Please try to keep the subject matter focused and before starting a new thread, always remember to start a "Search" because often the subject may have been covered and you can add your input to help the others gain an understanding of your thinking.

Our Online Store at Gojuryu.net:

Karatedo Uniforms and Dogi from:

Dojo in the spotlight:
For the March 'Dojo in the month,' comes....... "Vancouver Kuyukai" of Vancouver - British Columbia in Canada. Under the leadership of Sensei George Chan who's Japan based organization is headed by "Shihan Osamu Hirano". The Vancouver Kuyukai consists of well over 100 students and is currently affiliated with KuYuKai Honbu Dojo located in Wakayama Japan, Karate BC and NKA. Visit them at Kuyukai.com - and once again, Congratulations !!!

Gojuryu.net Dojo Database:
As many new and old users find themselves leading their internet experience to Gojuryu.net, we receive more and more requests as to how to recover a passoword. If you have forgotten your password, please click just below the log-on area and enter the email address you registered with. The area will read "Forgotten your password? Request a new one here." From that point, please enter the email address your account is registered with [which would be the email address you may be receiving this newsletter if arrived at your inbox]. A new password will be created and sent to that address. For security reasons we cannot change your password or enter your user account - even with your permission. We however can delete your account and you can create another with the same username and your personal password.

Seeing success stories and messages from people explaining to us that they would have never found a club or dojo had Gojuryu.net not helped" is exactly why we exist. Communication is the building block of humanity and at Gojuryu.net we have plenty of ways to get in contact with others. In the Forums as well as general membership [which is free], some day it would be great to hear from the lurkers [people that have registered and have plenty on their mind however nothing to say] in the Introduce yourself threads. If you're already a user member and your Profile is empty - "Edit Your Profile" add something; a region, a city, an association. It all helps and has been proven to help build the All Goju Ryu Network family. Think of it like this - would you prefer those looking for a dojo or club to join the local McDojo and their kids receive their 3rd degree Black Belt with the pink tiger stripes as soon as they turn 8 years old? The Dojo Database & user profile is fully index searchable via the search page and it's here for your use.

Knowledge and tradition:
There is "Oral History" and then there is "Recorded History". Have you ever asked your students or asked your Sensei "what is the history of our organization in accordance with our style?" It's a darn good question that each and everyone of us should be clear of. This comes as a point because a group of us over at Gojuryu.net just happened to visit a McDojo teaching "Tae Kwon Do". We specifically asked what type of Tae Kwon Do they were teaching because a few of us recognized specific forms from different root styles, Kuk Sool Won, Moo Duk Kwan and Chi Do Kwan that others styles of Take my dough [ooops did we say that] may not contain. How does this pertain to Karatedo - We reflected on a group trip, some time ago, and stopping for a break at freeway shopping center walked inth the local McDojo that just happened to be across town from our host club, to admire members performing Ku Shan Ku, Gekisai, Ku Shan Ku [Wado flair], Seipai [Shito flair], Unsu [Shoto], Seiryu and Kanshu [Uechi]. You [and we] would immediately conclude "ummmm Shito Ryu" but noOOOOooo. We asked a student when she was exiting "what style Martial Art is this?" and she replied "Okinawan". ?!?!?!? The rephrased question came again, "What type? We mean, is it Karate or?" She cut us off and again said "Okinawan; our "Sifu" is [pointing to a picture on the wall] the head of the 'World Sokeship Council' and this style was passed to him by Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee." She was dead serious and held her chin high and proud. We applaud her for setting us straight and just as quietly as we walked in [no bowing, it would give things away] we walked out. This story needs no explaination ............. we hope.

Additional site updates:
With approximately 1,400 online user - members and another 2000 users taking advantage of the free email service Gojuryu.net - the All Gojuryu Network has beta released its next portal upgrade - the online image hosting section that ensures secure photographic contributions for personal, historic and copyright value; meaning that what you post cannot be stolen or borrowed by others without permission to do so. Finishing off minor scripts this week so watch for it soon. ALSO - When you send us a Gojuryu or Karatedo specific events, please add it to the "Submit Events"at Gojuryu.net.