Shihan Tomiyama’s visit 2024

In July 2024, Mr Keiji Tomiyama (Shihan, 9th Dan Tasshi Shito-ryu), President and Joint-Chief Instructor of Kofukan International, visited Australia again. Kofukan Karate Australia hosted a series of training seminars and classes, including open seminars on the weekend of 13th-14th of July. Karate-ka from all over the southern Perth and the Peel Region attended, along with people travelling from as far as Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Manjimup and even our own Dave Hatte from Hervey Bay, Queensland.

An unfortunate flight delay for Shihan Tomiyama meant Sensei Brian Chambers (6th Dan) delivered the seminars on Fighting Combinations and Shushi-no-kon (bo kata) on the Saturday.

Classes open to Kofukan members were held in the evenings on Monday at the Halls Head dojo and on Tuesday and Thursday at the Kwinana dojo. In addition, training for senior ranks was held during the day on Friday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to practice high level kata.

The program also included social events: a black belt and committee member dinner on Saturday and a Kofukan Family Dinner on Sunday.

On Thursday 18th of July, a grading was held and Shihan Tomiyama passed Corey Parker and Brandon Didsman to Nidan (2nd degree black belt).

Instructors and students learned a lot from Shihan Tomiyama’s visit, as we always do. Thanks to everyone who took up the opportunity to train with Shihan Tomiyama and make the seminars a great success.