The Sincere Way
Seido Karate, founded in New York City in 1976, is a traditional Japanese martial art that aims to strengthen the mind as well as the body. Through the consistent training of basics, drills, kata (forms), self-defense, kumite (sparring), and meditation, students develop discipline and perseverance, which carry over into all parts of life.
Seido, which means the “sincere way,” is a form of karate for people of all ages, gender identities, and abilities. Adaptive programs are also available for visually impaired students and those with developmental and learning disabilities.
KAICHO T. NAKAMURA
Kaicho T. Nakamura is the founder and chairman of the World Seido Karate Organization. A world-renowned karateka, Nakamura is a ninth dan (degree) black belt with over 60 years of experience practicing and teaching martial arts. He began his training in the Goju style in 1953 in Japan at age 11, then began studying with Masutatsu Oyama, founder of Kyokushin Karate, in 1956. In 1961, at age 19, Kaicho debuted on the tournament scene with a first place triumph in the All-Japan Student Open Karate Championship. The following year, he became a Japanese national hero by knocking out a Thai kickboxing champion in a match to determine which nation had the superior martial art. Kaicho went on to win many more tournaments throughout his competition career.
In 1966, Nakamura moved to New York City and began teaching at a small dojo in Brooklyn. He served as the American head of Kyokushin Karate for a decade before respectfully withdrawing in 1976. The same year, he established the World Seido Karate Organization, which reflected his own beliefs about the true meaning of karate. With the principles of love, respect, and obedience as a foundation, Nakamura created Seido (“sincere way”) to ensure that his students would develop spiritually and morally, as well as physically. Today, Seido Karate has thriving branches in 18 countries with more than 20,000 students worldwide. Kaicho continues to teach classes and lectures at Seido Honbu and Seido’s Westchester branch, Johshin Honzan. He remains committed to helping students reach their full potential, both as karateka and individuals.
NIDAIME A. NAKAMURA
Nidaime A. Nakamura, Kaicho’s only son, can’t remember a time when he wasn’t training. “It’s all I knew growing up. Kaicho would teach me, but that was just something we did. It’s the way I grew up. It’s my life.” He taught his first class at Honbu in 1996 at age 21 and started working there full time after graduating from college. In 2001, Kaicho formally named his son as his rightful successor and bestowed on him the exclusive title of “Nidaime” (“ni” for second, or next in line).
In the spring of 2012, Kaicho and Nidaime traveled to Japan for the 20th anniversary celebration of one of Seido’s branches. The trip included a visit to Atsuta Jingu in Nagoya, where they were granted special permission by the shrine to present Seido to the Budo god of that location. It was at this event that Kaicho presented Nidaime with the ceremonial belt that he himself had worn 35 years before, and promoted Nidaime to the rank of 8th Dan (degree).
Nidaime is currently the chief instructor at Honbu and, along with Kaicho, at Johshin Honzan. He teaches classes for every level, from beginner white belts to senior black belts, with specialized classes for kata, kumite, conditioning, and weapons.
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