When I started karate as a white belt, Sensei Peter Ciolfi was a brown belt and Sensei Denis Labbe was a green belt and never have they ever make me feel inferior to them.
As a person, they treated me as equal.
They were there to teach me what I didn’t know and help me develop new ideas in the same way Shintani Sensei directed them.
There few people in the organization strictly for political power. History has shown us that those who are, their empire falls apart before long. The majority of this organization is very strong and humble. They feed from each other from one coast to coast, from white belt to black belt.
Those instructors who are there not as a leader, but as a friend, will find one of the most rewarding adventures of their life. The sharing of knowledge, philosophies and encouraging people to be strong are all ways of helping to develop good character. And remember, true character is what you’re really like when no one is watching.
I don’t want other organizations to think that we are the best, but to show that we support each other and the true meaning of Karate-Do. The Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation I feel, is the strongest martial art under one style. We may not agree on everything, but what the majority of the karatekas want, the rest will all support. It is never a decision of personal gain, but what is right for the Shinatni Wado Kai Federation. We should be proud of ourselves for that. I know Shintani Sensei is very proud of all his members for helping him present the teaching Ohtsuka Sensei.
I was asked to give my view of the direction of this organization. Well, the above is the direction that I would like to continue to go towards and with the people we have, that is not a problem.
Winter 1997/1998
Volume 2 - Issue 1
