Enshin Karate

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Osu! Welcome to Enshin Karate of Jewett City, Connecticut. We are a branch dojo of Enshin Kai Kan, headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Please tour our site and if you have any questions about our school or programs feel free to contact us. Thank you.
Karate as described by Kancho Joko Ninomiya
Karate is more than just a force, more than a method of self defense. It is a way by giving full attention to the moment, no matter what the activity. Surveyor, mechanic, or cook-the position makes no difference; a job performed in the spirit of karate-do is done with a selfless awareness of the moment itself. Its spirit is very much like meditation. It is only fitting that karate is often called "moving zen."
What is Enshin Karate and what makes it different?
Enshin Karate is a practical system of empty-handed self-defense based on a strategy of circular movement allowing you to use your opponent's power and momentum against him or her. This strategy, called sabaki, is the difference which enables its practitioner to convert defense into offense.
Sabaki .. a Japanese word that means "usefully redirecting a force." It describes breaking a horse or damming a river: turning natural energy into productive force. Many Enshin techniques are based on moving to the outside of an attack, pulling the attacker off-balance and finishing him with a sweep or throwing technique that inevitably puts him on the floor.
Enshin stresses the development of flexibility, power, and speed, with emphasis on stretching, conditioning, and technique. Training in Enshin karate builds spiritual awareness, mental alertness, a sense of confidence, and provides resources for meeting the challenges encountered in life.
Enshin Karate was developed by Kancho Ninomiya, winner of the 1978 All-Japan Tournament and Director of the Sabaki Challenge.

The name ENSHIN is derived from two Japanese words: en meaning 'open or unfinished circle,' and shin meaning 'heart' or 'inner.' The combination of these two words and their meanings embody the most important aspects of Enshin Karate.
For me, above all else, the 'inner circle' of Enshin Karate represents the strong bonds that keep us together. The strength of this organization depends on the ability of each of us to listen to our hearts, and to relate to others through it.
The circle is the essence of the strategy and movement in Enshin Karate. The infinite points on a circle represent the unlimited positions we move to and counter from in meeting an opponent. This circular movement that takes one out of a line of attack and into a position from which he can counter attack is the basis for Enshin Karate technique.
The Enshin circle is an open circle. It is not complete, although it strives to be. It represents the idea that our challenge is never finished, although we are always working towards making it so. This unfinished state is a source of motivation and it reminds us that perfection is to be aimed for even if it cannot be achieved.
The middle ring in our logo represents the cycle that is the essence of our training as well as life. In training we begin as a white belt, and move through the darkening belts before becoming a black belt. When we achieve the black belt we begin anew. So, too, in life. Each goal we reach marks a new beginning.
The Enshin Karate-do is not the only Way. But I believe very strongly in it. It is my wish to offer Enshin Karate to anyone whose heart and mind believes with me in this Way. Then, together, we can all work to finish the circle.

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