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SPECIAL NEWS

**** August 29, 2006

1.    George Van Horne - Ku-dan, Hanshi (November 4, 1935 - September 24, 2006)

The above promotion and title were issued to Van Horne Hanshi by the Kokusai Shoshin-kan Karate-do Renmei prior to his death.

*** September 23, 2006

1.    Joe Hedderman - Nana-dan

2.    Terry Valentino - Nana-dan

3.    Jim Davenport  - Hachi-dan

The above promotions were made by George Van Horne, Ku-dan Hanshi prior to his death on September 24, 2006.

 

George Van Horne, Kyoshi honored by Kentucky AAU

On March 18, 2006,  George Van Horne, 7th Dan , Kyoshi in Chito-ryu karate was awarded a Life Time Achievement Award from the Kentucky AAU. The award was given to Kyoshi Van Horne by Sensei Steven Napier, Chairman of the Kentucky AAU. Kyoshi Van Horne, a retired university professor, has been teaching karate since 1962, and has been extremely instrumental in the advancement of karate in the state of Kentucky since 1964. Kyoshi Van Horne began his training in Karate in 1961. He moved to Kentucky in 1964, at which time he was one of only two black belts in the entire state of Kentucky. Kyoshi Van Horne has produced numerous highly skilled karate students, several of which now operate their own dojo. Kyoshi Van Horne is a very special person and a man of honor.  He is a man who can be taken at this word and a man who has a strong desire to help others. It is no wonder that he is a man who many in the Koshin-ha Chito-kai now look to for guidance.

 

 

July 9, 2001 - Dear Fellow Members of the United States Chito-Kai,

It is with pride and a honor that I am sending you this news from the recent Canadian Butoku-Sai held on June 23rd, 2001 in Burlington, Ontario.  This was the first Canadian Butoku-Sai or Martial Arts Seminar sponsored by the International Division of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai and hosted by Sensei Ken Tallack from Canada.  

The event consisted of an opening ceremony followed by demonstrations from the various groups represented from Canada and the United States, followed by three workout sessions taught by Sensei Tallack on Goju Ryu, Hanshi Dometrich on Chito-Ryu, and by Hanshi Hamada, the Chairman of the International Division of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai.

Certificates of participation were given to all  who trained, followed by what would become the most memorable moment of  the day.  Renshi George VanHorne and Renshi James Davenport were called before the assembly of DNBK members present by Hanshi Hamada.  They were both recognized for their years of training and dedication to karate as well as their contributions to preserving traditional Budo.  Hanshi Hamada then pronounced that they would no longer be called Renshi, but would from now on, by his authority granted by the Dai Nippon Butoku-Kai, be known as Kyoshi VanHorne and Kyoshi James Davenport.  

After Sensei's VanHorne and Davenport were give the title of Kyoshi, Hanshi  Hamada said that before he finished he had one more person that deserved special recognition; a person who has been present on the karate scene in the United States since its very beginnings.  Hanshi Hamada then told the story of a very famous female samurai who was a fierce warrior and leader in battle, and even more famous for her virtuous and generous behavior off the battlefield; a true example of the person we all should strive to be like.  Hanshi Hamada then called Okusan (Barbara E. Dometrich) before the assembly present.  He then proclaimed that from this day forward she would be known as Kyoshi Barbara Dometrich, "Kyoshi in Karate."  He also stated that she is the first female to be given the title of Kyoshi in the International Division of the Dai Nippon Butoku-Kai.  The entire United States Chito-Kai can be very proud of these three individuals who have effortlessly given of themselves for a combined total well over one hundred years to Chito-Ryu and to traditional Japanese Martial Arts.  Kyoshi means Warrier Instructor.  I can think of no one else who better deserves this recognition.  Congratulations to our new Kyoshi's Barbara Dometrich, George VanHorne and James Davenport.

This most special day finished with a closing ceremony and a banquet that evening.

Sincerely,

Jerry Wellbrock, Yoseikan Hombu

 

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