Web Dojo

an online service of the Nippon Karate-do/Kobudo Seishin-Kan

A name that embodies our commitment

 
What is the Seishin-Kan?

The Nippon Karate-do/Kobudo Seishin-Kan is a dojo officially founded by Leonard J. Pellman in 1992, but its origins can really be traced to Pellman Sensei's first dojo, the Skyline Karate Club, which he started in 1989. The Seishin-Kan was one of the first dojo to join the Jikishin-Kai International ("JKI"), and the two organizations maintain a strong affiliation to this present day.

The name, Seishin-Kan, is a deliberate play on words that is designed to underscore this association with the Jikishin-Kai and our unwavering support for the goals and activities of the Jikishin-Kai, while at the same time recognizing the independence and distinctive character of the Seishin-Kan.

The Japanese kanji (ideograms) which form the word, "Seishin-Kan" are:

True

Pure

Authentic

Genuine

Sincere

Godly

Righteous

Thus, the most basic meaning of "Seishin-Kan" would be "Pure Heart Dojo," and it was chosen chiefly because of its similarity in meaning to Jikishin-Kai ("Pure Heart Association"). One of the chief goals of the Seishin-Kan is to embrace the philosophy of the Japanese proverb, "jikishin kore dojo nari" ("a pure heart is the true dojo") on which the Jikishin-Kai bases its name and character, and to serve as a vital member of the Jikishin-Kai International (JKI).

There is another meaning to seishin, as well. Although it is written with different kanji, seishin can also mean "pure spirit." It is used in the term, "seishin ryoku," which means spiritual power -- the power that comes from a pure, Godly heart. Another major objective of the Seishin-Kan is to help its students develop their spiritual power to its fullest in the context of Matthew 5:8:  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

By itself, the SEI in Seishin-Kan is pronounced tadashii, and means correct or righteous. Both of these are traits we try to embody in the Seishin-Kan -- correctness and righteousness. It is the root of the word seito, which means authentic, traditional, and/or genuine. Our goal is to teach only authentic, genuine, traditional martial arts and martial arts principles at the Seishin-Kan.

Currently, the Seishin-Kan classes are taught by Pellman Sensei at the IWU Budōkai at the Center School Gymnasium on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, on the following schedule:

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