University of New Hampshire Shotokan Karate Club

The club was founded in 1983 by Sensei Steven Warren who at the time was training with Teroyuki Okazaki sensei, a student of O'Sensei Gichin Funakoshi. Later sensei Kent Chamberlain took over as an instructor from 1987 to 1990. Thomas Pray, a UNH alumnus and UNH Karate Club former student of Sensei Warren, became an instructor from 1990 to 1993. Eric Ramsey, also a UNH alumnus and UNH Karate Club student, lead the club from 1994 to 1996. After Eric Ramsey left the club Michael Saputo with the help of senseis Chamberlain and Warren, took over the karate classes. He has been teaching since then. Alexander Vapirev has been training and teaching in the club since the Fall of 2001 with some help by the senior student Pallavi Mittal. Eric, Tom, Alex and Pallavi, together with other members of the club, have competed in numerous tournaments and winning many prises for UNH Karate. Tom Pray has won few of the New England AAU Karate Championships. In 2005 Alex and Pallavi have competed at the 2005 SKIF nationals. Pallavi became bronse medalist in kumite (sparring) and won silver in kata (form) in her division. Alex qualified for and was invited in the US National SKIF team for 2005-2006 after competing in both kata and kumite.

Beginners and people with experience in other martial arts styles are always welcome. Our sessions are always open to watch. If you want to just try it out for a single training session bring comfortable sport clothes - we would suggest a pair of track pants and a T-shirt. We train barefoot so please no shoes in the studio. Our club is partially supported by the university, partially by a small membership fee paid each semester and also by fund raising and donations (find out how). If you decide to join the club you will be asked to register online at Campus Recreation at UNH and fill out a form containing your contact information and information about your health insurance. You will also be asked to provide a copy of your health insurance card. For more information just drop by Studio 2 or send us an email (see 'Contact us' section).

karate uniform (karate-gi) - $30.00 (ask for it at the front desk with the receipt for paid dues)

Often an organization or a group of people has its own rules. The rules of our club or dojo (place for training) come from the traditions in karate. Some of them teach the members the basic etiquete and others are designed simply for safety reasons. Some of the basic rules are:

Always bow before entering and leaving the dojo and say 'OSS'.
Remove shoes before entering the dojo.
If you are late to class, kneel at the edge of the dojo floor and wait for an instructor to tell you to enter. Then bow and say 'OSS' while still in the seiza position, and enter. If you have a knee problem do not kneel in seiza - just stand in a natural stance and wait.
Show courtesy and respect to the instructors and fellow students.
Do not lean on the walls or lie down on the floor while resting.
Do not chew gum or any other substance in class. It is considered disrespectful and it is dangerous for your health if swallowed during the training session.
No talking during class. Concentrate on what you are doing.
Keep your uniform clean and tailored properly. If your uniform becomes loose or untidy, turn your back to the shomen and quickly fix it.
Keep your toenails and fingernails trimmed short and clean. For safety reasons, jewelry must be removed or taped. If you obtain any injury during training, inform the instructor immediately and he/she will administer first aid accordingly. If it is a more serious injury notify also the Recreation Center staff members.
Always bow to the black belts when entering the dojo. Bow to the senior instructor first, then to the other instructors in order of their rank. When bowing, say 'OSS' loud and strong.
When an instructor asks if you understand, the entire class should answer with a loud 'OSS' or 'HAI' (yes) in unison. If you do not understand, raise your hand and tell the instructor.
When moving in the dojo, never walk directly in front of someone unless it cannot be avoided. It is not polite to cross in front someone.
At the beginning of class while lining up and bowing to each other, recite 'Onegaishimasu'. This should also be recited prior to sparring with a partner. 'Oneigashimasu' is a request for help and guidance.
After class is over and the senior student has recited the Dojo Kun, bow toward the instructor and say 'OSS'. The second time you bow recite 'Domo Arigato Gozaimashita'. This is a very polite form of thanking the instructor for his teaching.
Every time you get a new partner for any exercise, bow. Every time you're about to switch partners, bow to your old partner before moving on to the next.
Dojo fees must be paid on time. It is disrespectful to expect an instructor or club secretary to remind you of such matters.

These are the five principles of karate passed down from the founder of Shotokan Karate O'Sensei Funakoshi Gichin:

The five principles tought by Master Kanazawa Hirokazu - the founder and president (Kancho) of SKIF: