Members of the Penn State Karate Club have participated in the every Beaver Stadium Run since it started, supporting Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
This year instead of finishing at the 50 yard line, the 5K will finish at the 34 yard line in Beaver Stadium in honour of Franco Harris. 34 was Franco’s number when he played football for Penn State.
Come join us for the Beaver Stadium Run on April 16th, Blue & White weekend. For more information visit:
http://www.stadiumrun.org
January 15th 1956, Master Tatsuo Shimabuku called a special meeting at his home & dojo in Chan village, Gushikawa city to announce a new name for his unique style of Okinawan Karate. Previously, his style had been called as Chan Migwa Te (in the late 40s) and later Su Nu Su (early 50s). On the occasion of Soguwachiguwa (Okinawan dialect) / Koshogatsu (Japanese), the Little New Year, Master Shimabuku announced the official name of his Karate. He chose “Isshin Ryu” because “all things begin with one.”
The Soguwachiguwa is a 3 day celebration beginning with the full moon in January. Okinawans would pay tribute to Toshitokujin, a Shinto Kami of agriculture, seeking good fortune for their crops in the coming year. When the Gregorian Calendar was adopted, January 15th became the day that Soguwachiguwa was observed, and also the day Master Shimabuku chose to name Isshin Ryu.
Traditionally, the Coming Of Age Day, Seijin-no-Hi, is also celebrated on January 15th. It’s the mark of entering adulthood. You could say that Master Shimabuku’s Karate entered its adulthood at this time and emerged as Isshin Ryu.
How will your Karate grow in the coming year? Hard work combined with good fortune should yield an excellent crop.
In Japan, the Oshogatsu (The Big New Year) was also changed to match the Gregorian Calendar. In some regions, like Okinawa, the original Chinese New Year date is still observed.
Traditionally, the Coming Of Age Day, Seijin-no-Hi, was also celebrated on January 15th. It’s the mark of entering adulthood. You could say that Master Shimabuku’s Karate entered its adulthood at this time and emerged as Isshin Ryu Karate.
Like an Okinawan Hibiscus, Master Shimabuku’s Karate bloomed as “Isshin Ryu” on that January day in 1956. Seeds of Isshin Ryu have since been carried on the winds across the oceans and around the globe.
In January of 1972, Sensei Sutton planted one of those seeds at Penn State and established the Penn State Karate Club. With help from Sensei Dorow & Sensei Liskai, PSKC developed strong roots. PSKC celebrates its 51st anniversary this year.
Congratulations to Dalal on her promotion to Rokkyu on this auspicious day!
Weather permitting, we’ll have extra outside Karate practices on Sundays at 7PM on the HUB lawn. If it is raining OR if temperatures are below 0°C/32°F then we will not have outside Karate class.
Karate in room 232HUB on Wednesday at 7PM and Sundays at 12:30PM will be unaffected by weather, unless the University shuts down for extreme weather conditions.
Franco Harris was a great supporter of Special Olympics PA. Each spring, he’d kick off the Beaver Stadium 5K fundraiser with Sue Paterno, charge up the runners, then greet them at the finish. PSKC members have run in every Beaver Stadium 5K since it started. We will miss you Franco but your spirit and inspiration will carry on!
道 DO – The Way
場 JO – The Place
Your DOJO can be your school’s formal training room, or wherever you practice your art, inside or outside. Take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves.
Several PSKC members participate in the Paterno Family Beaver Stadium Run on Blue-White Weekend, supporting Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
PSKC members have participated in all Beaver Stadium 5K runs so far. 2022 marks a return to the in-person 5K around University Park that finishes at the 50 yard line in Beaver Stadium. Proceeds support Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
For more information, visit: http://www.stadiumrun.org
Thank You to the Penn State Japanese Friendship Association for inviting the Penn State Karate Club to participate in their 2022 Matsuri event earlier this month.
A few brave audience members joined us on stage for the participation part of our presentation. Here they are going through Fukyugata Dai Ichi, a special introductory kata developed by Master Shoshin Nagamine (長嶺 将真) in the 1940s to help promote Okinawan Karate.