This year Master Yagi is the president of the Kume district council for the Naha Matsuri. Every year, Naha hosts the world largest tug of war party which brings together the city of Naha, Okinawa. This year, between October 9th and 15th Naha will be hosting both the Naha Matsuri and the Uchinanchu Festival. It is a week long party with martial arts demonstrations and festivities on the streets and public places all over Naha.
MeibukanHombu.com would like to congratulate the Naminoue Dojo headed by YAGI Ippei Sensei on an outstanding performance at a recent prefecture wide Japanese style kumite tournament. In various divisions, the fourth generation of Meibukan athletes scored well placing them among the top in Okinawa Prefecture. Oldest grandson of YAGI Meitetsu Sensei, Ryuhei dethroned last year’s silver medalist and earned himself 3rd place as did his younger brother Kohei in a separate division. Little 6yr old sister Miko also placed with an amazing 2nd place in her event. In addition to the YAGI family members, Naminoue Dojo student – Haruhi, worked his way to the top of the podium.
Although, all 4 athletes qualify to compete for the honour of a national title in Osaka, they cannot go any further this year because the event conflicts with Ippei Sensei’s trip to Canada. With a dominant showing like this however, we hope to see such a great result again next year. They won’t sleep on their laurels though as these young champions plan to continue challenging themselves in Kata at All Okinawa Karate-Do Association’s event in August and again in Kumite during the November Okinawa Goju-Kai Championships. We wish them all the best.
In the early 1950′s, an association was created to continue the legacy of Goju-Ryu. The association included many of the most influential Goju-Ryu practitioners of its time. Among them was Dai Sensei Yagi Meitoku who would be the first president of the Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-do Association. Since then, many top teachers would earn this honorable status including Dai Sensei’s second son YAGI Meitestu Sensei. Continuing with dedicated service to Okinawa Karate, the YAGI family has again been an enduring example. On May 8th. 2011, YAGI Ippei Sensei (grandson to the association’s 1st president) became a chief director of the Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Association.
MeibukanHombu.com congratulates the YAGI family and thanks them for such dedication. This appointment makes history to have 3 generations to hold a leadership position in the association. YAGI Meitetsu Sensei has also served as president in the past.
MeibukanHombu.com would like to congratulate Hombu Dojo President YAGI Meitetsu O’Sensei on his new position as the president of the All Okinawa Karate-Do Association. The All Okinawa Karate-Do Association is the very first multi-style Karate association of Okinawa and therefore the longest running. The association has been fortunate to have some of Okinawa’s foremost masters as its president. Presidents have included Nagamine Shoshin Sensei and Yagi Meitoku Sensei.
Master Meitetsu’s presidential post in this association also marks the very first time that both a father and son to share this honor. Master YAGI is very humbled of the honorable position. Since semi-retired as a teacher he has continually committed his time to the promotion and preservation of Okinawa Karate. At just 62, he is among the youngest of the presidents in the AOKA.
Master YAGI Meitetsu reports Tadanori Shiki Sensei is doing well and survived the Japan 2011 Earthquake with minimal damage. His area was not affected as severely as the north. The Hombu Dojo has begun some fundraising to help those affected by the ordeal as he fears that 20000 people may fall victim to this deadly force.
MeibukanHombu.com asks that Meibukan students worldwide join the Hombu’s example and also initiate some form of aid to help those in need.
Videos of the damage can be found on YOUTUBE. Here is an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmoKwD-j5Y8
YAGI Meitetsu Sensei of the Meibukan Hombu Dojo would like to thank everyone for their concerns and well wishes concerning the tragic events over the past few hours. He reports that Okinawa was relatively safe compared it those in the Tokyo area. His concerns and prayers go out to all citizens of the areas that were affected.
OKINAWA GOJU KAI TOURNAMENT
MeibukanHombu.com would like to congratulate the Yagi family on their achievements at this year’s Okinawa Goju-Kai Kata Tournament. Grandson Ryuhei Yagi achieved first place representing the Naminouie Dojo and Niri Kinjo of the Hombu Dojo also placed first in her respective division. Podium placement was not limited to gold place but also silver from both dojos.
MASTER YAGI VISIT TO CANADA
Exciting news has just been circulating that Master YAGI’s visit to Canada will occur tentatively around July 28th. He will tour various cities in Canada and will be accompanied by his son YAGI Ippei Sensei. Ippei Sensei and his family has been featured in magazines lately regarding his family’s winning streak. Ippei Sensei’s coaching abilities in Okinawa is becoming renowned for it winning ways considering that it is such a young club. The seminar series this year is being organized by the Canadian Meibukan Goju-Ryu Association. Please stay tuned for details.
