Dear Honbu Dojo Family,

We’re reaching out with a heartfelt request to support someone very special in our dojo: Yuzan Watanabe.

Yuzan is one of the most dedicated and humble young karateka we’ve had the pleasure to train with. At just 20 years old, he brings the spirit of traditional karate into every class—whether he’s partnered with an 88 year old senior or a first-time teenager.

His thoughtful attitude, quiet discipline, and unwavering respect make him not only a joy to teach, but a powerful example of the kind of budo spirit we hope to cultivate in our community. Despite his limited budget as a business student in Queens, he always puts his hand in his pocket to contribute when we go out for group meals. The consideration doesn’t go unnoticed.

What makes Yuzan’s journey even more meaningful is that he’s a student of Yahara Sensei, one of Richard’s main instructors during his kenshusei days in Japan. That lineage—and the bond of mentorship it represents—makes this next opportunity especially significant.

We’re hoping to raise enough funds to bring Yuzan with us to the WTKO Summer Camp in Norwich this July. This would be a life-changing opportunity for him to deepen his training, connect with senior instructors from around the world, and truly immerse himself in the global Shotokan community.

If you’ve ever trained alongside Yuzan, you know just how much heart he gives. Now, we’d love to help give something back.

Please consider donating to our GoFundMe campaign and help us bring this deserving young man to camp. Any amount helps—and any word of encouragement goes a long way.