SEIKICHI IHA
Grand Master
Hanshi 10th Dan
1932-2024
President, Beikoku Shidokan Karatedo AssociationIHA DOJOOriginal Okinawa Karate2018 E. Michigan Ave.Lansing, Michigan 48912USA517.482.3217
Iha
Sensei focused on furthering Shidokan Shorinryu Karatedo as the
ultimate art of self-defense. A primary goal was to harmoniously
work with all Okinawan karate styles to provide a solid
understanding and appreciation of this important cultural art. He
frequently said, "Friendship and cooperation are most
important in karate."
The Tookachi Celebration:
In
August 2019, over 200 of Iha Sensei's students and friends from around the
world traveled to Okinawa, Japan, to celebrate his
Tookachi. What
exactly is the Tookachi? It’s a person’s 88th
birthday/birth year, and is called “Tookachi” in Okinawa, and “Beiju”
in
mainland Japan. It is one of the two biggest birthday
celebrations, the other being the 97th anniversary, also known as
“Kajimayaa.” The Tookachi celebration typically takes place on
the 8th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar.
Among the many other events that took place were dojo demonstrations,
training seminars and visitations to several very special destinations
in Okinawa, including the dojo of Iha Sensei's teacher, Grand Master
Katsuya Miyahira. One
of the very exciting events that occurred was recreating the picture
of Gusukuma Sensei teaching a group of 132 in front of the Shuri
Castle... with Iha Sensei teaching us, of course!
Okinawa Prefecture Intangible Cultural Asset
Living Treasure
On
May 19, 2020, the Okinawa provincial government announced six
additional certified holders for the Okinawa Prefecture Intangible
Cultural Asset Holders, sometimes referred to as “Living Treasures” in
the “Okinawa karate and kobujutsu” category. Included in this is
our Sensei, Seikichi Iha, Beikoku Shidokan Karatedo Association
President, Hanshi 10th dan. The
purpose of this award is to preserve and pass on the traditional
culture of Okinawa that has been preserved and passed down by our
predecessors.
The official presentation of this award took place in mid-August,
delivered and presented by the Governor of Okinawa, Denny Tamaki. The 2020 awards were the fourth set of awards for martial artists as Intangible Cultural Asset Holders.
• In 1997, this award was first given to 3 karate and kobudo masters.
• In 2000, an additional 6 masters were recognized, including Iha's teacher, Grand Master Katsuya Miyahira.
• In 2013, an additional 5 karate and kobudo masters were recognized.
• In 2020, the latest 6 making a total of 20 to have been recognized with this prestigious award.
Iha Sensei shared that this is the first time this award has been issued to someone living outside of Okinawa. We
all know the sacrifices Iha Sensei made over 50 years ago, leaving
Okinawa to spread the way of Shidokan in the Philippines, then here in
North America. With $200 in his pocket, not speaking English, and knowing very little
about our culture, look at the impact he has made!
Iha Sensei: "I hope for my students to...
- Be able to cope with any situation.
- Become useful people.
- Be responsible for what they do and say.
- Be persistent in doing things.
- Always strive to be the best person they can be and do the best they can do.
- Be bright and able to make decisions.
- Face problems with courage.
- Take care of themselves (health).
- Try through their instruction to help students realize their optimum potential and feel good about themselves."
Iha Sensei biography & interview.
Synopsis of Iha Sensei's background.
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