Lake Forest Shotokan Karate

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, June 14, 2011 – On Saturday, August 6, 2011, Shotokan Karate of America (“SKA”) will host its 55th Annual Nisei Week Karate Exhibition and Tournament at the Braun Gymnasium of the California Institute of Technology (“Caltech”). SKA’s Nisei Week Karate Exhibition and Tournament is the oldest karate demonstration in the United States. Fighters and participants will be coming to Los Angeles from dojos nationwide and abroad to compete and give individual and group demonstrations.

SKA’s Nisei Week Exhibition and Tournament started in 1957 when Mr. Tsutomu Ohshima gave the first official demonstration of karate to the American public. Mr. Ohshima is a direct student of Master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of modern day karate who brought karate from Okinawa to mainland Japan. For over 50 years, SKA, under the leadership and guidance of Mr. Ohshima, has spread the teachings of Master Funakoshi and traditional karate-do. Mr. Ohshima travels throughout the world teaching karate to thousands of students and is currently the head instructor of karate organizations in fifteen countries, including Shotokan Karate of America, France Shotokan, Israel Shotokan, Canada Shotokan, Swiss Shotokan, Spain Shotokan, Belgium Shotokan and Morocco Shotokan.

The 55th Annual Nisei Week Karate Exhibition and Tournament will be held on Saturday August 6, 2011 from 11 am to 1:30 pm. at the Braun Gymnasium of Caltech located at 1200 East California Boulevard in Pasadena, California. The Exhibition and Tournament is open to the public. Admission and parking are free. The doors will open at 10:30 am.

Shotokan Karate of America (“SKA”) is a nationwide, non-profit organization dedicated to the teaching of traditional karate-do since 1955. SKA’s emphasis upon development of strength in mind and character through traditional and rigorous training has led to its popularity in this country. Its chief instructor, Tsutomu Ohshima, is one of the most highly regarded karate instructors in the world.

For additional information contact:
SKA (213) 437-0988 or visit www.ska.org

From the Kazu Time Show on YouTube — here are video highlights from the 2010 Nisei Week Tournament and Demonstration.

Kevin Suzuki, from Genbukai Shito-ryu facing Richard Matsushita. Ek Ear carefully observing. David Lechuga, referee.

On Saturday, August 7th, come watch the oldest annual public karate demonstration in the United States. Shotokan Karate of America presents the 54th Annual Nisei Week Karate Exhibition and Tournament.

The event began in 1957 when Mr. Tsutomu Ohshima, a direct student of Master Gichin Funakoshi, gave the first official demonstration of… karate to the American public. Master Funakoshi is known as the “Father of Karate” and is credited with introducing karate to Japan.

The tradition continues yearly as part of the Nisei Week Japanese Festival, a seventy year old celebration of Japanese arts, traditions, games and foods.

2010 marks the 54th Annual Nisei Week Karate Exhibition and Tournament, which will be at the California Institute of Technology’s Braun Gymnasium.

Doors open at 10:30 AM. Admission and parking are both free to the public. For more information visit www.ska.org