PASADENA — Shotokan Karate of America will host its 58th annual Nisei Week Karate Exhibition and Tournament at the Braun Gymnasium of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) this weekend.
This is the oldest karate demonstration in the United States. Fighters and participants will come to Los Angeles from dojos nationwide and abroad to compete and give individual and group demonstrations.
SKA’s Nisei Week Exhibition and Tournament started in 1957 when chief instructor Tsutomu Ohshima — one of the most highly regarded karate instructors in the world — gave the first official demonstration of karate to the American public. He is a direct student of Master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of modern-day karate, who brought karate from Okinawa to mainland Japan.
For over 50 years, SKA, under Ohshima’s leadership and guidance, has spread the teachings of Master Funakoshi and traditional karate-do. Ohshima travels throughout the world teaching karate to thousands of students and is currently the head instructor of karate organizations in 15 countries, including SKA, France Shotokan, Israel Shotokan, Canada Shotokan, Swiss Shotokan, Spain Shotokan, Belgium Shotokan and Morocco Shotokan.
The exhibition and tournament will be held on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Braun Gymnasium of Caltech, located at 1200 E. California Blvd. in Pasadena. The event is open to the public. Admission and parking are free. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.
SKA is a nationwide, non-profit organization dedicated to the teaching of traditional karate-do since 1955. Its emphasis upon development of strength in mind and character through traditional and rigorous training has led to its popularity in this country. For additional information, call (213) 437-0988 or visit www.ska.org.