Meet Sensei Toban Berdusco
Toban’s introduction into Butokukan started at the Coquitlam Dojo in the early 90s. Toban currently is a 3rd degree (sandan) black belt in Butokukan. He is also a black belt in Tesshinkan Kobudo an Okinawan weapons system. Toban can currently be found teaching at the Coquitlam dojo, where he is the head instructor. When he is not in the dojo he can be found at home with his family, at the gym, learning from his sensei (Andrew Stephens, and James Sullivan) or at work – where he is an electrician.
The Coquitlam dojo is located in the MacDonald Cartier Room at the Poirier Community Centre 630 Poirier Street Coquitlam. Class run on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Beginner Youth 6:00-6:45 Advanced Youth 6:50-7:50 Adults 8:00-9:30.
Toban is certified by the Japan American Butokukan Karate Association.
Why Train with Us?
Karate has a myriad of benefits: it boosts self-confidence, builds strength and speed, promotes health and flexibility, teaches awareness, discipline and respect.
In my class you will learn how to punch, kick, strike, block, balance yourself and shift your weight. These basics will help you perform katas (pre-arranged set of movements), practice kumite (sparring) and ultimately prepare you to protect yourself in threatening situations.
We are a proud member of Virtues of the Martial Arts Karate Association.
A Brief History of Butokukan Karate
Master Nakachi came to America in 1959 and started to teach a style of karate called Shinpu-Ren. Nakachi had previously trained at the Butokukai in Japan; a school where various martial disciplines came to meet, share ideas and techniques. Nakachi found that he valued several of the other styles principles and, in 1963, decided to incorporate them all into a new style: Butokukan. Butokukan’s current Grand Master is Soke Robert Hill.
Affirmations
- I am a faithful member of Butokukan.
- I use Butokukan only in defence of myself, my loved ones and in defence of my country.
- I always respect my seniors as I do my senseis.
- I never make false statements to members of Butokukan.
- I never do anything that would degrade Butokukan as a martial art.
- These rules and laws I will ever hold true I am (your name).
Butokukan Terminology
Butokukan
BU – Martial
TOKU – Virtues
KAN – Training Hall
Training Hall of the Virtues of the Martial Arts.
Karate
Kara – Empty
Te – Hand
Empty Hand
Karatedo
Way of the empty Hand
Butokukan’s Motto
Confidence through Knowledge
The Crest
- The White Ring around the outside of the crest represents all students (karateka), white through brown belt grade (kyu).
- TheBlack Ring inside the white ring represents the potential in every belt to become a black belt.
- TheBlack Background represents all the black belts. It is largest area, because as a karateka, you will spend most of your time as a black belt. The larger area on top signifies the lower ranks of the black belt (yudansha) rank, it tapers down to represent the fewer number of higher ranked black belts.
- TheRed Ring represents the master rank (Shihan), 8th– 10th degree (dan).
- TheFist (Seiken) represents all the body weapons. The seiken is the most commonly used technique (waza).
- The crest was designed by Yoichi Nakachi, in 1963, when the style changed from Shinpu-ren to Butokukan.