Founded in 1963, the University of Toronto Karate Club was the first university club in Canada. Under the tutelage of 8th Degree Black Belt Shihan Suenori Tominaga since 1970, UTKC has provided quality instruction in traditional Shotokan karate to interested members of the U of T community, with an emphasis on learning good basics.

UTKC is a non-commercial, not-for-profit martial arts club. We are an officially sanctioned Athletic Club at the U of T Athletic Centre.

We abide by a Club Constitution and our mandate is to provide our members with the opportunity to practice karate and to receive quality instruction at U of T. All matters relating to the teaching and practicing of karate-do at the U of T Karate Club are handled by Tominaga Sensei and the Senior Black Belts. Collectively they are responsible for the technical direction of the Club, including curriculum, training policy and procedures, and the maintenance of the highest possible standards in all aspects of Karate-do. The UTKC is volunteer-run and is administered by a member-elected Club Executive. The Executive takes care of all operational aspects of running the club.

UTKC is a member of Karate Ontario and the National Karate Association, the sport governing bodies for karate in Ontario and in Canada. Membership with these bodies confirms that the UTKC meets the technical standards set by these bodies, and that our instructor has a legitimate and recognized rank. In addition, UTKC is the flagship dojo of Jinbukai Canada, the umbrella organization of which Tominaga Sensei is the head instructor.

Karate Ontario Certificate of Dojo Membership

About Jinbukai Canada

For over a quarter of a century the University of Toronto Karate Club maintained a direct association with Japan through an instructor at the University of Fukuoka. However, in 1997, Tominaga Sensei felt that it was time to establish an organization in Canada which would formally declare the guiding principles of karate-do for the University of Toronto Karate Club. Thus was born Jinbukai Canada.

Jinbukai Canada is a not-for-profit unincorporated organization composed of over 200 members and directed by a large number of black belts (who all still train regularly at one of the Jinbukai dojos). It is an umbrella organization whose function includes the establishment of policy and the regulation of technical excellence for all of its associated dojos.

The flagship dojo for Jinbukai Canada is the University of Toronto Karate Club. At present, Jinbukai also has two other associated dojos which are headed by Peter Krizel and Shawn Rodie. Tominaga Sensei retains the position of head instructor of the University of Toronto Karate Club as well as being the President of Jinbukai Canada.

People who join any one of the three associated dojos automatically become members of Jinbukai Canada (there is an annual fee for black belt members) and are entitled to all the benefits of membership.

What Does Jinbukai Canada Do?

There is an enormous amount of work involved in maintaining and expanding a karate club and Jinbukai Canada is dedicated to delivering the best karate instruction possible. To this end Jinbukai Canada has, among other things, established committees devoted to ensuring that our training has a solid scientific basis, and to ensuring that black belt members have at least minimal training in CPR.

Additionally, Jinbukai Canada operates an ongoing instructor training program which is designed to develop leadership and coaching skills in black belt members. Jinbukai organizes social events for the associated dojos and there is also an annual inter-dojo tournament.

Perhaps most importantly, Jinbukai, through Tominaga Sensei, maintains technical quality control by presiding over all kyu belt and dan examinations. All ranks conferred by Tominaga Sensei carry with them the strength of nearly a century of karate tradition.

The Meaning Behind the Name "Jinbukai"

Tominaga Sensei created the name Jinbukai from the Japanese words "jin", "bu" and "kai". The word "bu" means "martial" or "relating to martial arts". The word "kai" means organization.

The word "jin" however, is harder to define because there is no exact counterpart in English and some of the nuance is lost outside of the cultural text.

In a basic sense, it means "honourable person or honourable people with compassionate heart". However, to appreciate this translation, one must know what the word honourable means in its derivative context.

The kanji (or Chinese Ideogram) that is used to write the word "jin" is the same as that for the suffix "hito". "Hito" is a suffix that is often attached to very high-ranking or prestigious people - such as the Japanese Emperor. Thus, you have Emperor Hirohito. This will give some hint of the broader meaning of "jin".

Note, however, that while in western society, kings and emperors have come to symbolize tyranny and oppression, that in Japanese society, they are more closely associated with benign paternalism and benevolence. Thus, dictionary definitions of the word "jin" include phrases such as "benevolent", "humanitarian", "compassionate", "charitable" and "virtuous", in addition to "high class" or "highly esteemed".

Perhaps Tominaga Sensei's summation most closely approaches the meaning that he intended - that is - "quality people". Thus, Jinbukai is:

That is the closest approximation the present author is capable of. The rest of the definition of "Jinbukai" will be written by all of us as the years go by, and we make what we will of the organization and of ourselves.