Following decades of training in traditional martial arts, Soke made a decision to close the Arizona Hombu dojo (Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Hombu dojo) after 60% of the members stopped training during the pandemic. So, the facility closed in March, 2021, but we continue training at two private dojo in Mesa and Gilbert, Arizona. We hope to one day re-open a commercial dojo if the economy improves soon.
Rest in Peace |
But, we are not finished. Even though dozens of dojos in the Phoenix valley closed, three of our absolutely incredible members offered training facilities to keep us going, which we are so grateful for.
2019 group photo at the Arizona Hombu (Seiyo no Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai) in Mesa, Arizona |
In June, 2022, some of our remaining members of the Hombu dojo traveled from the East Valley of Phoenix to Seguin, Texas to train at the Juko Kai International annual clinic - which we've made this an annual event since 1992. The JKI training focused on combat arts including defense against an attacker armed with a gun and with a knife.
Arizona Karate & Kobudo practitioners in Sequin, Texas for Juko Kai National Clinic, 2022. |