Aoinagi Karate

General Information

Now that you have become a member of Aoinagi Karate we (the members of the various schools) wish to offer you a great big "Hello!" and Welcome to Aoinagi Karate! We also wish to wish you well during your time at training here at Aoinagi Karate. If your stay is short we hope it will be valuable for whatever time you can train with us. If your stay is long we hope to continue to offer you the finest karate training you can get anywhere in the world.

The Depth of the Program

Aoinagi Karate is proud to offer a program which is self-defense yet encompasses conflict negotiation, strategy, un-armed tactics, feudal Okinawan-Japanese weapons systems, and art. The program is constructed from the most simple and basic physical movements to the most demanding mental discipline necessary for handling hostile conflict negotiations.

In the midst of such martial subjects Aoinagi Karate Schools encourage an environment of commaraderie, ethics, net-working, positive energy and self-development. We hope that you will stay, learn and contribute for many years while enjoying the fruits of your labors and joys.

Attitude

The attitude of all Aoinagi Karate Schools is POSITIVISM. While we do study the most violent aspects of human culture our attitude is aimed at positive outlook on life. When we get to choose we choose that alternative we deem best. We believe that humanity has great potential for good and we have a part in that potential which we will use.

The school community reflects good-will. Those people who do not appreciate good-will usually leave in a short time. The school discourages violence and bickering but encourages freedom of expression, compromise and collaboration.

Humility and honor are a part of this school. False pride and arrogance are not a part of this school.

All members, even the highest teacher in the school, is a student. We learn from each other. The high ranking teachers teach the techniques and refinements to make defense possible. The newest student teaches the way for the elder member to learn to be sensitive to the needs of people. We all learn.

One of the greatest martial artists of all time, Bushi Matsumura, said it succincly,

"...there is a look in your eyes that I like. Remember this, attitude is important, the road is difficult and the most tremendous effort is required."

Well, attitude is important. The place to begin is to realize that we at Aoinagi Karate are all students. There are those more experienced students and those less experienced students but we are all students. Humility and personal honor are important. Positivism is precious. Attitude is important.

Where to from Here?

A good place to start is to read "About Martial Arts" on this website. This document is an introduction to the world of martial arts. We recommend that you do not try to follow all the links in this document because they will lead you to far distant places in the world of martial arts and you may not return for months. We recommend you read the document and, perhaps, look up some of the words in the glossary.

The next thing we recomment is that you read the section on "About the Butokukai." The Butokukai is the parent organization of Aoinagi Karate like the United States is the parent organization of California. This document will show you where we come from.

Then you might like to read "About Aoinagi Karate." This is the branch organization of the Butokukai which you have just joined. The information here may help you get a better glimpse of what we do and where we are going.

The document on "Frequently Asked Questions" is excellent in aiming at the more common questions posed about Aoinagi Karate. You may want to read it before or after getting familiar with the website.

Then, and for sure you want to get familiar with "Getting Around the Website." This is an explanatory of the website and its various features and benefits. There is more here than what you may see at the surface so be sure to get familiar with how you can use this website for your best advantage.

And, before you wander off into the world of the website, get familiar with the glossary. This glossary of more than a thousand words, phrases and personalities is available to you to carry on your screen and access from any place on the website so you can never wonder "what does that word mean?" at least for long.