Nanaimo Renshikan has been training karateca since 1980. John Yamamura, the current chief instructor, continues the tradition of teaching traditional Okinawan Karate and Kobudo.

Nanaimo Karate was founded upon the idea of teaching karate in a professional manor. Our goal is to offer traditional Karate training to all interested students. Nanaimo Renshikan is a "not for profit" organization composed of volunteers dedicated to the preservation of traditional Okinawan Karate and Japanese culture. Anyone interested in training at our schools are asked to have a flexible spirit that allows for spiritual and physical forging through the study of budo. This is known as jyunannshin.

"An extremely wise person once met a Zen master. Immediately, he prepared to ask him all sorts of questions. The Zen master poured him some tea and continued pouring until the cup was full, then went on pouring so that the cup overflowed. Surprised, the wise man observed: 'Master, can you not see that the cup is overflowing?' 'Well", said the master 'how do you expect me to teach you when your mind is like this cup? You came with your mind too full of things, not to learn but to criticize and argue. So I have nothing to say to you, I can teach you nothing." (From Random 1977)

All students, regardless of prior martial arts experience, are welcome. We only ask that you come with an open mind.

-David Wight