Membership

The European Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu) Karate-do Association (EMKA) welcomes membership inquiries from dojos and individuals. Correspondence regarding Matsubayashi-Ryu and/or membership in the EMKA may be sent to the following e-mail address:

Dojo Head. The dojo head must hold at least the rank of 2nd dan. Dojo heads with a lower dan must usually be sponsored by a qualifying dojo owner. Dojo branches can also obtain licenses with proper sponsorship. The relationship between the EMKA and licensed dojo is direct.

Application Materials. An applicant should submit the following to the EMKA Membership Office: (1) a letter describing his or her Matsubayashi-Ryu training background and the operations of the dojo; (2) a list of dojo members, with name, rank and a specification of whether the student is an adult or child; (3) his or her latest dan certificate; and (4) such other information requested by the Membership Office. If the applicant's dan certificate was issued by someone other than O'Sensei Shoshin Nagamine, Soke Takayoshi Nagamine, or the current association board, arrangements should be made for an evaluation by a senior designee. Outside ranking is not necessarily recognized. Upon approval of initial materials and qualifications, the applicant will enter into a Dojo Owner's Agreement with the WMKA setting forth the details of membership. Membership is not effective until the agreement is completed and accepted.

Membership. Belonging to the WMKA means belonging to the rich Nagamine lineage. Soke Nagamine and the current board has been actively reaching out to dojo that have become separated over the years and welcomes membership inquiries.
As Matsubayashi-Ryu students and teachers, it is our duty to help preserve and perpetuate the art. One of our responsibilities as members is learning and performing the 18 kata and 7 yakusoku kumite correctly. We must work hard to keep the kata as taught by Osensei Nagamine pure and unaltered. There is one and only one Matsubayashi-Ryu -- not several. Membership requires adherence to the WMKA's high technical standards.

Dan Certificates. Dan certificates are issued by association president Yoshitaka Taira to successful candidates who are members in good standing. Certificates are not issued to non-members. The minimum age for the rank of shodan is 16.

EMKA Dojo Listing. EMKA member dojo in good standing are listed in the EMKA Dojo Listing at this website to help people moving around the world and to facilitate dojo visits.

We hope that you will consider membership, not because of what you can "get" but because of what you have to "offer" to the art of Matsubayashi-Ryu. Service to the art is a privilege as well as an obligation.