Seiwakai is one of the largest karate organizations in the world. Created by the late Tsuji Tasaki Hanshi. Seiwakai now has member dojos in 34 countries around the world. The Seiwakai world Headquarters is located in Omagari Japan. Seiwakai is headed by Seiichi Fujiwara Hanshi.
Fujiwara Shihan is also a member of the Japan Karate Federation(JKF) and the JKF Goju Ryu.
At Seishin Martial Arts Academy, our karate program is rooted in the ancient and traditional Japanese style of Goju Ryu Karate Do, one of the most widely practiced martial arts globally. Recognised by the International Olympic Committee and the World Karate Federation, Goju Ryu is a powerful and respected discipline known for its balance of hard and soft techniques.
Our training is about more than just learning self-defence. It’s a journey toward building confidence, respect, and personal growth. As practitioners of karate, we believe that the ultimate goal is to perfect one's character through discipline and perseverance.
At Seishin, we place special emphasis on teaching students—especially children—how to navigate and respond to life's challenges. We do not teach our students how to fight; we teach them how to handle situations like bullying, peer pressure, and negative influences with integrity and strength.
We understand that the journey in karate is not a quick one. Achieving excellence takes time, effort, and commitment. We honour and respect the dedication each student must show to advance on their personal karate path, knowing that the rewards of growth, both in skill and character, are well worth the perseverance.
Sensei Emma is the Chief Instructor of SEISHIN Martial Arts Academy and holds a 5th Dan Black Belt.
Her karate journey began in 2005, and since 2008, she has competed at provincial, national, and international levels. Sensei Emma has participated in 16 South African National Championships, earning titles in both the WKF KSA All Styles and Goju Ryu Style at the Sub-Saharan Africa & National Championships.
She is a recognised coach at the Provincial, National, and UFAK African Continental levels and is a member of the Karate South Africa Technical Commission.
In 2019, Sensei Emma was appointed as the Head of Kata for SEIWAKAI South Africa, collaborating closely with Kyoshi Ben Mare to develop this faculty for the national association. In 2022, she was awarded her 5th Dan (Godan) Grade by SEIWAKAI International and the Karate South Africa National Grading Board.
To continually enhance her expertise in traditional Goju Ryu Karate, Sensei Emma travels regularly to Japan. This commitment ensures that our students and association benefit from a pragmatic and progressive syllabus.
Yamaguchi Sensei created the Gojukai organization which was successful in spreading Goju Ryu throughout Japan and around the world.
Mr. Shuji Tasaki, Hanshi (1933 - 2011) is the founder of the Seiwa Kai. He began training in Goju Ryu in 1952 under the tutelage of Gogen Yamaguchi.
Mr. Seiichi Fujiwara, Hanshi 8th Dan, is the President of Seiwa Kai International. In addition he holds an 8th Dan with the JKF Goju Kai and serves as their Executive Director.
Mr. Ben Mare, Kyoshi 8th Dan, is the President of Seiwakai South Africa and the African Technical Director for Seiwakai International.
Goju-ryu, translating to "hard-soft style" in Japanese, is a prominent traditional Okinawan form of karate that integrates both hard and soft techniques. Originating from the Bubishi, a renowned martial arts manual used by Okinawan masters from the 19th to 20th centuries, Goju-ryu emphasises a combination of closed-hand, linear attacks (representing "go" or "hard") and open-hand, circular movements ("ju" or "soft"). This martial art style blends these techniques into its curriculum, incorporating hard strikes such as kicks and punches alongside softer circular techniques for offensive, defensive, and controlling manoeuvres, including joint locks, grappling, take-downs, and throws.
Central to Goju-ryu training is correct breathing, especially highlighted in the Sanchin kata, one of its core forms. Another core kata, Tensho, focuses on the softer aspects of the system. The practice includes methods for body strengthening, conditioning, fundamental fighting strategies (such as distancing and power generation), and partner drills.
The Goju-ryu curriculum includes 12 core kata:
1. Gekisai Dai Ichi
2. Gekisai Dai Ni
3. Saifa
4. Seiyunchin
5. Sanseiru
6. Shisochin
7. Sepai
8. Kururunfa
9. Seisan
10. Suparinpei
11. Sanchin
12. Tensho
According to Morio Higaonna, a noted figure in Goju-ryu, "Karate begins and ends with kata. Kata is the essence and foundation of karate, representing over 1000 years of accumulated knowledge. Passed down by generations of masters through dedicated training and research, kata are akin to maps that should remain unchanged and unaltered."
Most kata in Goju-ryu are accompanied by bunkai oyo, prearranged two-person drills that explore kata applications, refine timing and flow, facilitate continuous attack and defense practice, and ensure safe execution with training partners.
The Seiwakai Goju Ryu Karate group is represented in 34 countries and boasts over 30,000 members globally, making it one of the largest Goju-Ryu organisations affiliated with the Japanese Karate Federation (JKF) Goju-Ryu Karate-Do division.
Shuji Tasaki Hanshi, 9th dan, founded Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Seiwakai. In his youth, he was a renowned and formidable Kumite fighter who repeatedly won the Japanese Championship. He also served as the right-hand man to Gogen Yamaguchi, the first and only teacher of Goshi Yamaguchi, Gogen Yamaguchi's son. The JKF was established in 1965, with Gogen Yamaguchi initially leading the Goju-Ryu department. After a few years, Gogen Yamaguchi left the JKF to start his own organisation, the IKGA. Shuji Tasaki chose not to follow Gogen Yamaguchi and instead founded his own organisation in 1971, named Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Seiwakai. Seiwakai then became part of the JKF, under the leadership of Ujita sensei.
Until his death on January 30, 2011, Tasaki Sensei was a highly respected member of the Board of Directors of JKF Goju Kai Japan. In recognition of his contributions, he was promoted to 9th Dan JKF Goju-kai in 2009. Seiichi Fujiwara Sensei, the first student of Tasaki Sensei, is the current Chief Instructor. Fujiwara Sensei assisted his teacher for many years during seminars worldwide and was personally designated by Shuji Tasaki to continue his legacy. Fujiwara Sensei is also a multiple Japanese champion in both Kata and Kumite.
Notably, Fujiwara Sensei became the youngest Japanese Karateka to receive the 8th Dan JKF Goju Ryu degree in 2002.
The Japan Karate-do Federation Goju-Ryu serves as the global umbrella organisation for various Goju-Ryu styles, encompassing Kenbukan, Eidokan, Seiwakai, Eibukan, Kagoshima Kai, Shudokan, Okinawa Goju-ryu, Kyokai, Jitsueikai, Uchiagekai, Seishikan, Ryushinkan, and Yuishinkan. These styles work collaboratively under the guidance of the Japanese Karate Federation, ensuring a unified approach to Goju-Ryu karate on an international scale.
As the official representative of Goju-Ryu karate within the World Karate Federation (WKF), the Goju-Ryu department plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and standards of Goju-Ryu karate worldwide. The department acts as the primary discussion partner on all matters related to Goju-Ryu karate, advocating for the style and ensuring its proper representation and recognition within the broader karate community.
Hanshi Seiichi Fujiwara, the Director and Chief Instructor of Goju Ryu Karatedo Seiwakai, holds the prestigious position of Overseas Director for JKF Gojukai. Under his leadership, Seiwakai has become the largest Goju-Ryu group in the world operating under the JKF Goju-kai. Fujiwara Sensei's extensive experience and dedication to Goju-Ryu karate have been instrumental in promoting and preserving the style internationally.
The collaboration of these diverse Goju-Ryu styles under the Japan Karate-do Federation Goju-Ryu ensures that the rich traditions and techniques of Goju-Ryu karate are upheld and propagated. This unified effort allows practitioners from around the world to benefit from a standardised and high-quality approach to Goju-Ryu karate, creating a global community of dedicated martial artists committed to the principles and practices of this karate style.