Although Enshin is a " stand-up fighting" style that includes kicks, strikes, and punches found in most other styles of karate, it also utilizes numerous grabs, sweeps, and throws often associated with Judo or other grappling styles of martial arts. It is evident in the quality of students of Enshin Karate and the legacy they are now carrying forward.The core emphasis in Enshin is use of the Sabaki Method, a system of techniques employed with the goal of turning an opponent's power and momentum against him or her and repositioning oneself to the opponent's "blind" spot to counterattack from a more advantageous position. Ninomiya Kancho is a martial artist that I have a tremendous amount of respect for. The Enshin students are able to stay at Nippon Kan during this international tournament because they have a very wise Sensei in Ninomiya Kancho. There is something a bit odd about full-contact Karate fighters staying at an Aikido dojo, but it is a time that all of us at Nippon Kan look forward to. All of the fighters and coaches came back to Nippon Kan after the tournament to celebrate the accomplishments of the evening’s matches and the most important triumph of all the fact that there were no major injuries. Of the three, one fighter won the men’s middleweight championship, one fighter won the woman’s championship and one won the heavy weight runner up title. This year, the coaches brought three fighters to participate in the Sabaki World Championship. Besides, Ninomiya Kancho does not drink, so they know if they stay with me that there will be a beer or two available to celebrate with after the tournament!
I am more like an uncle, and it is easier for them to relax around me.
Last warm up at Nippon Kan dojo before the tournament.įor these “alumni” uchideshi, Ninomiya Kancho is a father figure. The fighters stretching routines are more sports science that bravado. It was easy recognize that these students would grow into leaders when they returned to Japan, and now to see them every year with new students of their own makes me very happy indeed.
Recognizing the young talent in these students, it brought me happiness to add a little comfort to their lives in the midst of their uchideshi training. Having been an uchideshi myself in my youth, I have long taken care of the Enshin uchideshi. They come to participate in the Sabaki Challenge World Karate Championship and for the past few years, all of these former uchideshi coaches and their star fighters have stayed at Nippon Kan during the tournament. Every year these former “alumni” uchideshi return to Denver, now as coaches with promising students of their own. The most promising and talented have returned to Japan to open their own dojos, settle down and raise their own families. Many young Japanese people have traveled from Japan over the years to study at Enshin Headquarter as uchideshi live-in students. Denver, Colorado is also home to Enshin Karate World Headquarters, led by Kancho Joko Ninomiya.
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