IMAF Seminar in PA

Gene DeMambro · Post by **Gene DeMambro** » Wed Apr 25, 2001 3:54 pm

The International Martial Arts Federation (IAMF) is holding its Annual North American Congress and Seminar this year in Lehigh Valley, PA.

June 8 - 10 and includes training and Kata Competition in Karate-do, Iaido, Aikido, Kobudo and Jujitsu.

Scheduled teachers, from both Japan and the US are:

Shizuya Sato: 9th Dan Jujitsu, 8th Dan Judo and Chief instructor at the US Embassy Judo and Jujitsu Club, Tokyo. He also is the Chief Director of IMAF

Tadanori Nobetsu: 9th Dan Goju-Ryu Karate

Kunikazu Yahagi: 7th Dan Tenshinsho Jigen Ryu Kobudo

Paul Godshaw: 7th Dan Shotokan Karate-Do

Bob Ward: 5th Dan Wado-Ryu Karate-Do, 5th Dan Iaido, 4th Dan Kobudo

Jose Andrade: 5th Dan Aikido

For more information, please contact the host:

Jose Cruz
PO BOx 5338
Bethlehem, PA 18015
(610)-317-8094 / (610)-465-8566
(610)-264-2599 (fax)

[This message has been edited by Gene DeMambro (edited April 25, 2001).]

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 3:18 am

website? e-mail address? fercryin'outloud, it is the 21st century!!!

All goofing around aside, are you guys going?

------------------
D. Steven White
swhite@umassd.edu

PS and do you have to be an IMAF member to attend?

[This message has been edited by Steve (edited April 25, 2001).]

mikemurphy · Post by **mikemurphy** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 5:21 am

Just a correction from Gene's post.

Sato Sensei is a 9th degree hanshi in Judo.

He is a living legend, having trained under Mifune sensei (Judo) and was Tomiki (aikido) number one student.

Go see him if you get a chance. These people will not be around forever.

mike

mikemurphy · Post by **mikemurphy** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 11:09 am

Steve,

Gene and a couple of other people from my dojo are definately going. I'm in the process of still deciding (I have to get the ok from the boss). Either way, many of us would have to leave on Saturday because of a wedding.

To answer your other question, no you do not have to be a member of IMAF to attend.

mike

BTW,

I think we are planning on taking the train down to PA

Gene DeMambro · Post by **Gene DeMambro** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 6:49 pm

Fercryinoutloud, indeed!!

No one does NOT have to be an IMAF member to attend. In act, there is no extra fee if you aren't.

The Facility itself is the Northhampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA.

Dorm rooms will be available for $25/night (Double room, with linen)

A recommended Comfort Inn is also nearby.

The area is serviced by Lehigh Valley Int. Airport. Newark, NJ and Philadelphia, PA are a couple of hours away.

Three Day Fee is $165 Each day is $55/each. Register by May 25.

As an aside:

Sato Sensei has been teaching Judo and Jujitsu at the US Embassy for over 40 years, speaks good English and enjoys making these international trips.

Nobetsu Sensei enjoys these trips as well. His karate is top-notch, hard and fast and he knows right where to hit someone to make it hurt! He also enjoys, um..."bending an elbow", and enjoys revelry and fun!

The host, Jose Cruz, is a Shotokan karate-ka and a physician. A soft-spoken amiable fellow easy to like!

Satisfied, Steve!

Gene

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 11:20 pm

Next question. Do you only reveive an IMAF "passport" when you reach blackbelt level? Don't they stamp it or mark in it to certify extra training like this seminar?

Sorry - not too clear on IMAF procedures.

------------------
D. Steven White
swhite@umassd.edu

mikemurphy · Post by **mikemurphy** » Fri Apr 27, 2001 10:44 am

Steve,

IMAF, or the Kokusai Budoin is a black belt organization that is separated into two sections: Kokusai Renmei and the Kokusai Budoin. The Renmei is for under Sandan and the other for over.

In order to get a passport, you must test and receive a shodan from one of the sanctioned categories, Karate-do, kobudo, Judo, Nihon Jujitsu, Aikido, Batto Jujitsu, Kendo, or Iaido (I don't think I missed anything). Testing does not have to be done in front of Sato sensei and international board unless testing for over Sandan. Once shodan is earned, a certificate (you've seen them in my office) and a passport will be issued.

I'm not sure of what their under shodan requirements, if any, that they may have. When I first joined the association, you were not an official member until you achieved shodan.

Within the passport, there is a section that gets stamped when you attend an IMAF sponsored seminar or tournament.

Hope that answers some questions,

mike

Gene DeMambro · Post by **Gene DeMambro** » Fri May 25, 2001 5:53 am

Steve,

Are you coming? 5 of us have already made our plans.

Discuss?
Gene
(781)-331-7579
SFDeM@aol.com

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Tue Jun 05, 2001 2:36 am

Gene - I can't make it! Just picked up two summer classes for extra $$$ and one is an MBA class with Friday evening sessions.

Am bumming, but hope that you guys will bring back some interesting things to present at the Uechi-Ryu Summer Camp!!!

------------------
D. Steven White
swhite@umassd.edu