See which seminars each instructor is teaching (link currently shows list for camp 4, in 2014, for reference, while we finalize the list for this camp 5, in 2025)
(Listed in order of when they first trained at the Hoitsugan Dojo and/or with Nakayama Sensei while in Japan)
Minoru Kawawada – Kawawada Sensei began his Karate training in the 1960s and began teaching at the Hoitsugan Dojo in the early 1970s, while enrolled in the JKA Instructor Training program. He rose to the role of Chief Instructor after Nakayama Sensei’s passing in 1987. Grand champion at the first Shoto Cup in 1985 and instructor to all those listed below.
Michael Berger – Berger Sensei trained in Japan for several years in the 1980s & 1990s, beginning in 1983. While there, he trained at multiple locations, including both Takushoku and Komazawa Universities. He has placed in numerous tournaments in the US and Japan in both JKA and mixed-style events and produced several books and videos. He also studied various martial arts in China while there pursuing an advanced degree in traditional Chinese medicine. He has operated a dojo in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he also practices acupuncture and Zen Buddhism and has trained MMA fighters. Mr Berger was one of the organizers for Hoitsugan Seminars II, in 2005.
Jon Keeling – Keeling Sensei lived at the Hoitsugan Sep 1985 to July 1988, July-Aug 1990 and for a few other short stays. He lived & trained in Tokyo for a total of 8 years and for a few years taught most of the Saturday classes at the Hoitsugan. On Hoitsugan kata teams that placed 3rd, 2nd and 1st in different years at the JKA All-Tokyo Championships. Chief Instructor, Silicon Valley Karate. Was organizer of 1st & 3rd Hoitsugan Seminars in northern California in 2004 & 2008 and this one in 2014 as well.
Jeremy Peck – Peck Sensei lived at the Hoitsugan 1987-88 and July-Sep 1990. He spent an additional year+ living and training in Japan prior to staying at the Hoitsugan and during that time trained regularly at the Aoyama Gakuin University dojo. On Hoitsugan kata team that placed 2nd and 1st in 1987 and 1988 in the JKA All-Tokyo Championships. Peck Sensei has taught at Cabrillo College in Aptos, University of California Santa Cruz and in Monterey, California.
Bob Ehling – Ehling Sensei lived and trained in Tokyo in the late 1980’s to early 1990’s. Ehling Sensei previously trained with Yokota (Kosaku) Sensei and now trains under Field Sensei (another Hoitsugan alumni) in Santa Monica, California, where he sometimes teaches classes at JKA Santa Monica.
Aaron Hoopes – Hoopes Sensei trained at the Hoitsugan 1987-1989, where he was a member of the dojo teams competing in All-Tokyo tournaments. Was also living and training in Japan for an additional 2 years. Author of several books and many articles relating to martial arts and yoga. Instructor of Tai Chi and Zen Yoga in addition to Karate. www.artofzenyoga.com
Richard Amos – Amos Sensei lived in Japan for 9 years from 1989 to 1998, having been a Hoitsugan member Jan 1989 to Sep 1990. On the Hoitsugan kumite team (along with Rene Vildosola and Leon Montoya) which placed 1st in the All-Tokyo tournament in 1989, winning all rounds 3-to-0. That same year, he was on the Hoitsugan kata team (along with Rene Vildosola and Rai Wibawa) that placed 2nd in the All-Japans. Graduate of the Asai-JKA Instructors’ Course in Tokyo and placed in finals of the Asai-JKA All-Japans and World Championships on numerous occasions. Amos Sensei teaches at his dojo in New York and is also Chief Instructor for the WTKO.
Simon Staples – Staples Sensei first trained in Japan – including at the Hoitsugan – in 1990, and returned again later in the 1990s to live there for a longer time. He now runs KDCombatSystem.
Fred Borda – Borda Sensei trained with Kawawada Sensei at the Hoitsugan 1991-94, as well as at the JKA Honbu. Instructor at Silicon Valley Karate.
Mario Kadena – Kadena Sensei trained at the Hoitsugan a total of six times between 1991 and 2001, for several months each time. Kadena Sensei teaches at his dojo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and has been doing Shotokan for over 40 years.
Brian Thompson – Thompson Sensei lived at the Hoitsugan for total of about one year in the mid-1990’s, training both there and at the JKA Honbu dojo
Some words from those unable to make it to the last camp…
Nakayama Sensei would be very proud of what you are all doing; at your spirit of co-operation, compassion and learning. He was the driving force behind the diaspora of highly trained and highly motivated young Karate teachers who went out from Japan in early days to not only teach the fighting art of Karate, but also the true spirit of Karatedo. Those teachers and their students have probably done more for international understanding than all the embassies of all their nations combined. This old Karateka sends his warmest and most sincere well wishes to all of you. Oss!C.W. Nicol, Kurohime, Nagano, Japan (2014)
Thank you again for your kind invite to Hoitsugan Seminars. It looks like a great event. Nice work. I wish you and all of the Sensei a big OSS! and lots of blessings.Fond regards,Stan Schmidt Australia/South Africa (2014)
Unfortunately I will have to be in Japan at that time…I hope everything goes well. Dave Hooper Tokyo, Japan (2014)
I am really happy to hear that so many of you are together in this project and that are doing well and training…continuing the legacy of our great teacher Masatoshi Nakayama, whom I value more each day. I am unable to attend due to my heavy schedule. I am still training hard like in the old days. I wish you the best in your endeavors. My very best to you all. Rene Vildosola Santiago, Chile (2014)
I have always admired your seriousness in practice and in teaching, and how you have always strived to analyze technique in detail, going back to the roots of what you were taught by Nakayama sensei and other masters and to pass it on to new generations of practitioners without hurrying and without falling for the easy lure of winning tournaments and medals. Just training, the hard old way… Leon Montoya Bogota, Colombia (2014)
After having attended two of the earlier Hoitsugan Seminars it is with regret that I cannot make this one in 2014 due to a prior commitment. The camaraderie and knowledge, not to mention the sense of nostalgia make this weekend very unique and special. Many osses to you and happy training! Richard Amos New York, USA (2014)