• Mikiri(Estimate), Strategy, Ma-ai and Timing through Competition Training
  
• For Athletes: Avoids possible dangers while encouraging participation in Kumite competition
  
• For Spectators: Creates interest when, within the short time period of Kumite matches, rules and point scoring are easily understood
• Finally, establishes the connection between Kumite Competition and the Budo aspect

This is copy of Letter from Sensei Nishiyama.


TO: ITKF Members
RE: International Summer Camp
February 21, 2003

Dear Member,

The 2003 International Summer Training Camp is being held from July 19(Saturday) to July 25(Friday) at the University of California San Diego, California, USA.

For the past few years, the ITKF has been working on amending its technical rules in order to have them more closely reflect the philosophy of Budo martial arts and to clarify judgong standards in competition. At the same time, ITKF has been striving to establish a training system based on Traditional Karate principles and methods. Recently, other karate organizations have adopted rules resembling Tae Kwon Do. Because of this, they have lost the original nature of karate as Budo and, as a consequence, interest among that segment of the public desiring Budo martial arts has declined. For this reason, ITKF must continue to emphasize Traditional Karate's fundamental difference in order to avoid being confused with karate organizations that have lost the spirit of Budo. We must also demonstrate to a disappointed public the unique Traditional Karate skills and techniques that make ITKF members proud to be representatives of Budo.

Now that the amendments to the technical rules have been completed and incorporated into the training system, it is crucial that ITKF members worldwide implement this system into their daily training practices.

The main focus of this year's International Camp is on studying the completed amendments to ITKF technical rules. This year ITKF will issue a one-year license to countries whose technical officials complete yhe Camp training course. This license will permit technical officials to educate judges on the new, amended rules. The Camp will also offer an instructional course for technical officials to obtain a one-year "Traditional Karate Instructor License" that allows them to coach in their native countries.

This year's International Summer Camp is being organized to further sharpen participants' technical skills and impart an understanding of the Budo spirit necessary for practicing Traditional Karate. We strongly urge you to send your country's technical officials to this important event.

ITKF will be sending you more detailed information and a Camp application in the near future. We look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely Yours,

Hidetaka Nishiyama
Chairman

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Sensei Richard Kim, Ph.D. of Butoku-kai at Sacramento passed away

DATE: November 30, 2000
FROM: ITKF official circular

Held in the cities of Ferrara and Bologna in Italy on October 13 and 14, the 10th Traditional Karate World Championship attracted over 10,000 spectators who came to watch competition at the highest levels by elite athletes from 44 participating countries.

Hosted by Federazione Italiana Karate Tradizionale E Discipline Affini (FIKTA) and sanctioned by International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF), the two-day event also featured demonstrations by several world renowned Traditional Karate instructors, among them: Hiroshi Shirai of Italy, Masao Kawazoe of Great Britain, Tasuke Watanabe of Brazil and Takeshi Naito of Italy.

• MEN'S INDIVIDUAL KATA
  • 1st Roberto Mariani............... Italy
  • 2nd Marcos Moron................. Peru
  • 3rd Andrzej Zerzeczny............. Poland
  • 4th Mark Minarik................... Canada

• WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL KATA
  • 1st Simona Pellegrinelli........... Italy
  • 2nd Irena Simirad.................... Romania
  • 3rd Adairce Castanhetti.......... Brazil
  • 4th Iwona Furmanek................ Poland

• MEN'S INDIVIDUAL KUMITE
  • 1st Justo Gomez....................... Argentina
  • 2nd Vladimir Pucha................... Ukraine
  • 3rd Luis Silva............................ Portugal
  • 4th Gunther Schwarz................. Austria

• WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL KUMITE
  • 1st Simona Canzanell................ Italy
  • 2nd Ramona Leuchtenberger... razil
  • 3rd Avangelia Lagoudaki......... Greece
  • 4th Marta Niewczas.................. Poland

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Master Nishiyama received cultural contribution award from JAPAN.

DATE: November 25, 2000
FROM: ITKF official circular

On November 3, 2000, Master Hidetaka Nishiyama, Chairman of the Inernational Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) and President of the American Amateur Karate Federation (AAKF), was recommended by the Japanese government for his worldwide promotion of Japanese culture as a Master Instructor of Traditional Karate.

His half century of meritorious contributions were then honored personally by the Emperor of Japan in a special ceremony conducted at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo where the "Order of the Sacred Treasur, Gold Rays with Rossette" was awarded to him. It was the first time in the history of Japanese national awards that such recognition was granted to Traditional Karate, and reflects Master Nishiyama's lifelong contributions to the development of the superior physical, mental and spiritual aspects of Tradtional Karate. Furthermore, Master Nishiyama was one of only eleven recipients from outside Japan that was honored at this year's ceremonies for their contributions to Japanese culture.

In addition, last year, on the occasion of his birthday, a flag was flown in his honor at Washington D.C.'s Capital Hill upon the recommendation of the United States Senator from Washington state. Master Nishiyama was also commended for introducing the art of Karate to the United States Armed Forces and for the benefit of the physical and mental benefits American citizens have gained from Karate.

end.

DATE: February 1,2000
FROM: Hidetaka Nishiyama...Chairman, ITKF

Once again, history repeats itself as world interest in karate continues to grow. Of particular interest is the aspect of martial arts that benefits the development of a person's character in contrast to spectator sports. The unfortunate scandal surrounding the International Olympic Committee (IOC) emphasizes this difference.

Since the introduction of karate worldwide in 1950, many so-called styles of karate appeared which had little to do with true martial arts. As result, public interest in martial arts including karate brgan to fade. As you know, the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) has continually forucsed on educating the public about true Traditional Karate as opposed to the so-called new sport karate. In addition, the ITKF has worked hard to further the development of Traditional Karate's high standards and goals and it's strong connection to the philosophy of true martial arts.

It is clear that in the last few years public appreciation and interest in Traditional Karate has been increasing, and the ITKF is certain that this trend will continue into the new millennium.

On the other hand, since the IOC Salt Lake City scandal, the condition of world sports is on shaky ground and is going through major changes. Last year, the IOC broke its own rules by unilaterally recognizing the World Karate Federation (WKF) without the required unification with thw ITKF. This act by the IOC has caused great confusion among karate athletes worldwide.(Remark: The ITKF has already filed an application with thw IOC requesting separate recognition.)

We do not know haw the IOC actions will affect world sports, but we are certain that in this confused situation, we must take firm measures to protect our organization, its philosophy and its members' right.

Despite the problems facing sports and karate, the ITKF believes strongly that this is also a time of great opportunity during which we can promote and advance Traditional Karate. With this in mind, the ITKF has already scheduled the Nishiyama Cup to be held in Moscow on May 27 & 28, 2000.

In addition, on june 9 &10, the 21st European Traditional Karate Championship will held Kiev, Ukraine and on October 13 & 14, the World Traditional Karate Championship will be held in Bologna, Italy.

Also, to further the technical development of athletes, judges and officials, the International Summer Training Camp will be held in San Diego, California on July 22-28. We strongly encourage all ITKF members to take advantage of the special summer training camp to further the progress of your own country's Traditional Karate.

The ITKF has begun preparation to implement a new organizational program, which includes amended constisttional registration for athletes, judges and officials.

The ITKF expects all member organizations to continue the development of Traditional Karate within their own respective nation, to maintain the momentum of world public interest in Traditional Karate, and to cooperate closely with the ITKF to further the goals shared by all members of the ITKF family.

end.

Year 1999, on the occasion of Master Nishiyama's birthday, a flag was flown in his honor at Washington D.C.'s Capitol Hill upon the recommendation of the United States Senator from Washington state. Master Nishiyama was also commended for introducing the art of Karate to the United States Armed Forces and for the benefit of the physical and mental benefits American citizens have gained from Karate.

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