Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center operates as an official licensed branch school of the World Seido Karate Organization. World Seido is a large international martial arts organization run by Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura (9th dan) from the headquarters (Honbu) in New York City. The Vice-Chairman of the organization is his son, Nidaime Akira Nakamura.

Seido History

Seido karate is a relatively new system, created in 1976. Prior to that time, Kaicho had been affiliated with the Kyokushinkai karate organization headed by the legendary martial arts master, Masatatsu Oyama. Kaicho first became a student of Oyama as a teenager, and through years of dedicated training and teaching, rose to the rank of 7th dan and served as chief instructor at the Kyokushinkai Honbu in Tokyo.

In 1966, Kaicho was sent to New York in order to open his own dojo and to oversee the development of Kyokushinkai Karate throughout North America. After ten years of serving as the North American chairman of Mas Oyama's organization, Kaicho made the difficult decision to leave his teacher and start his own karate system, Seido Karate.

For a full discussion of Seido's early history, please consult Kaicho's autobiography, The Human Face of Karate. This fascinating account explains many of the complex issues within the worldwide Kyokushinkai organization that created a wedge between Kaicho and Mas Oyama. It also makes clear how Kaicho came to formulate his own unique concept of karate-do based on a blend of Zen philosophy and the ethical principles of samurai culture in Japan.

The Seido Insignia

The plum blossom is Kaicho Nakamura's family emblem. The three circles signify love, respect and obedience. The characters on the chest patch translate as "Seido Juku." "Sei" means truth, honesty and sincerity; "do" means way; and "juku" means a small place where one goes to study, learn and grow.

International and Domestic Branches

Internationally, there are dozens of Seido karate dojo including locations in Australia, Brazil, Chile, England, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa. Each branch is run by a senior black belt authorized by Kaicho Nakamura to be the branch chief.

Domestically, there are several Seido schools in the greater New York City metropolitan area in addition to Honbu, as well as locations in upstate New York, Florida, California, Maryland, Connecticut, Vermont, Seattle, and of course, Chicago. Several senior Seido black belts in New York run special Seido karate programs for blind, deaf or developmentally delayed adults and children.

Joining the World Seido Karate Organization

All students of Seido branch schools are required to become members of the World Seido Karate Organization. One-year memberships cost $20, and three-year memberships cost $40. You are required to show a current World Seido membership card in order to test for rank advancement in any Seido dojo, and in order to train as a visitor at any Seido school including Honbu.

To Train at Honbu

Thousand Waves karate students are strongly encouraged to plan a trip to New York in order to meet Kaicho and Nidaime Akira and train at Honbu. Many students try to do this on a regular basis, especially as they advance in rank. Every October, Jun Shihan Nancy, Kyoshi Sarah and many members travel to New York to participate in the annual benefit tournament, which Kaicho hosts as a charity fundraiser. Any student is welcome to join us on this excursion, so plan ahead if you are interested. Black belts are also invited to attend an annual black belt clinic held at Honbu the first weekend in June.

Advanced Black Belt Testing at Honbu

Thousand Waves' students who are invited to present for 2nd degree black belt or above are tested at Honbu. The testing is conducted by Kaicho Nakamura and is open to all Seido black belts who wish to observe.

To Visit another Seido Dojo

As a Thousand Waves student, you are welcome to visit other Seido branch schools when you travel. Proper etiquette entails contacting the head instructor to find out the schedule for your level, explaining what branch you train at, your rank, who your instructors are, and requesting permission to train. When you arrive, remember to ask if there is a guest fee and offer to pay it.

For more information, visit the World Seido Karate Organization website.

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