Kishi Sensei established his Shinjo dojo in 1987. Originally a Meiji period samurai house, this dojo is a place where all – male and female, young and old, and of varying physical capabilities – have been welcome to come and train in the style that he cultivated throughout his many years of experience and reflection.

A modest dojo with wooden floors and mirrors, its minimal training equipment places emphasis on toughening one’s physical abilities, starting with Kishi Sensei’s own handmade makiwara that greets each student upon entering the dojo building.

Class begins and ends with meditation in seiza to calm the mind. After stretches to warm up the joints, students practice basic hand and leg techniques to develop the natural weapons built into the human body. Push ups and sit ups build overall strength and conditioning. Combination drills, using both hands and legs while moving in stances like zenkutsu or kokutsu dachi, encourage focus and stamina. Kumite compels the student to adapt mentally and physically to opponents of differing physiques and strengths. All these activities combined become an active meditation that balances the mind and body.

As essential as priming the body with stretches at the beginning of class, students are required to clean the dojo at the end of each training session. In a wide, low squat position to develop leg strength – as well as a sense of humility – students draw wet towels across the dojo floor starting from the shinzen to the back of the dojo. The towels are rinsed and wrung out to the last drop with both hands – palms facing inward to simulate holding a sword – strengthening the grip. Each and every movement in the dojo has a purpose towards conditioning the body and spirit.

In addition to being a place for physical karate practice, the Shinjo dojo also serves as a space for the social aspect of karate, where one practices extending respect to others. In creating a karate dojo, Kishi Sensei formed a community. The dojo itself is a special gathering space for this community of his contemporaries and fellow karateka, his students, friends, and neighbors – all brought together by their great respect for his steadfast dedication to karate practice.

In a secluded valley in Mamurogawa, Kishi Sensei built a small “karate village,” sawing logs by hand to build four successive cabins. Summer camps were held there and kiais echoed as trees were struck shutouchi 手刀打ち in rhythm. Meals included wild vegetables and mushrooms gathered on the spot.


Separated from technology and the comforts of town, one has the opportunity to reassess in an unfamiliar environment. Walking single file along narrow mountain paths to a waterfall, avoiding getting sucked into slippery mud, giving up on dry feet to pick one's way across a river bed, scrambling over patches of ice, or blissfully lying in a hammock gazing up through a canopy of green maple leaves, are all ways to experience oneself and the world differently.

Kishi Sensei loved the mountains and often went climbing by himself. One of the features of walking alone is encountering the unknown. You don’t know what will catch your eye, what will appear beautiful or interesting, whether you will slip and get hurt, or even whether you will encounter a bear. He wore a basket for collecting wild vegetables and a nata (hatchet/knife) strapped to his waist, but did not carry food or water. In his actions, Kishi Sensei was always mindful of karate and how any action could sharpen his karate skill. Personal responsibility was one of Kishi Sensei’s themes. We cannot blame others for our shortcomings and problems. If you slip down a gully, you made an error somewhere. Nature reminds us to stay alert and be grateful for the good things all around that sustain us.