Shuri Castle Group Photo

Gusukuma and his students at Shuri Castle, Okinawa, Japan, 1938

In 2019 Seikichi Iha, Hanshi 10th Dan celebrated his 88th birthday. This is a significant milestone in the Okinawan culture called a Tookachi. During the summer of 2019 approximately 200 members from the Beikoku Shidokan Karatedo Association travelled with Iha Sensei to Okinawa to celebrate his Tookachi where he received the designation of Intangible Cultural Asset Holder in the category of Okinawa Karate and Kobujutsu, a certification granted by the Okinawa Prefectural Government: a certification only awarded to a handful of individuals.

Iha Sensei also wished to honour his Sensei Shinpan Gusukuma by recreating the famous 1938 black and white photo. During this trip Iha Sensei and 200 of his students coordinated and recreated this image in the courtyard of Shuri Castle. It was an incredible event for all who participated to honour Seikichi Iha, Shinpan Gusukuma and Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate. 

Beikoku Shidokan Karatedo Association members at Shuri Castle, Okinawa, Japan / Tookachi Celebration - Seikichi Iha Hanshi 10th Dan