SHUJI TASAKI SHIHAN founder

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Shuji Tasaki, Shihan (1933–2011) began Goju Ryu training under Gogen Yamaguchi in 1951. He became Yamaguchi's most competent fighter, winning the first All Japan Gojukai Championships in 1963 (no point system, full-contact). Tasaki emphasized *dojo kumite* over sport point-fighting, stating that modern karate ends after age 30 without proper training. His favourite techniques included *haito-uchi* (ridge hand) and *kin-geri* (groin kick). In 1972, he founded the Seiwakai but remained close to Yamaguchi. Professionally an ikebana artist, Tasaki embodied *Goju* (hard/soft) and was remembered for his gentle heart.

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SEIICHI FUJIWARA SHIHAN President 

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Seiichi Fujiwara Sensei: Manners First, Karate Second

Seiichi Fujiwara Sensei, born in 1950, began karate at age 17 when he entered Chiba Commercial College. He joined the school's program with about 80 other students, but after three months of harsh training, only 10 remained. Fujiwara not only survived but became fixated on karate, eventually becoming an All-Japan National Kata and Kumite Champion.

Today, he holds the ranks of 8th Dan JKF Goju Kai, 8th Dan Goju Ryu Seiwakai, and 7th Dan Japan Karatedo Federation. He serves as President of Seiwakai International (one of the world's largest Goju Ryu associations), Director and Coach of the Akita Karatedo Federation Goju Kai, Chair of the JKF Goju Kai Overseas Committee, and owner of Ohara Ryokan.

While known for his kumite skill, Fujiwara Sensei teaches that karate is not about winning fights. With children especially, he explains: *"We coach manners first, thoroughly and exhaustively, to polish them as humans."*

The spirit of Goju Ryu, he says, is simple: *"You do not strike a person, and you do not get struck by a person. The basis of Karate is to live without developing hateful thinking toward others.

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BEN MARÉ SHIHAN Director Seiwakai International AFRICA 

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Ben Maré commenced Goju-Ryu Karate-Do in 1972 under the tutelage of the late Leo Lipinski Hanshi and Stan Hart Shihan. 

1980 Graded to 3rd Dan one of two individual's who passed the grading.

1988 Graded to 4th Dan by Goshi Yamaguchi Shihan (Japan)

1980-1989 Shibucho (Regional Head) S.A.Goju-Kai,KZN.

1980-1989 Executive Member of the I.K.G.A South Africa

1995-Seiwakai Continental Head
1998 Rokudan (6thDan) Seiwa-Kai Goju-Ryu.-Japan

2000 Rokudan (6th Dan)JKF Goju-Kai (Japan)

2000 Examiner Seiwa-Kai (Japan)

2000 Examiner JKF Goju-Kai (Japan)

2000 Renshi Title

2008 Nanadan (7th Dan) Seiwa-Kai Goju-Ryu (Japan)

2008 Kyoshi Title

2011- 2025 Elected KZN-All-Styles President

2012 – 2025 Chairperson of the Dan Regulation Board of K.S.A.

2018 Hachi dan (8th Dan) Karate South Africa.

2022 Hachi dan (8th Dan) Seiwakai International
2025 Hachi dan (8th Dan) World Karate Federation (WKF)

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