www.GoFundMe.com/f/Keizoku
www.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/Seido-Keizoku-8508

HONBU IS MOVING AND YOU CAN HELP!

In 1976, Kaicho (Grandmaster) Tadashi Nakamura established Seido Juku and the World Seido Karate Honbu (headquarters) at 61 West 23rd Street in New York City.

In the more than four decades since, thousands of karateka have come to be a part of the Seido family of dedicated students under Kaicho, and have made lasting memories here.

In “The Human Face of Karate,” Kaicho wrote, “Seido Juku was literally built on the understanding and cooperation of the pupils.”

Honbu’s wooden floors have been hand-and-foot honed for more than 40 years by the dedicated members of the World Seido Karate Organization.

Seido members from all over the world come to train at a dojo that is open seven days a week. They attend promotions and many special events, such as Kagami Biraki, the first workout of the new year, Women’s Seminar, Black Belt Clinic, Inter-Dojo Tournament, and more.

They also get to meet fellow members of all ages and abilities, and raise money for programs for veterans, students with special needs, or those from challenging circumstances.

Honbu is a very special place.

A NEW HOME

Our building was sold recently and must be vacated by the end of 2019. So for the first time in more than 40 years, Seido will need a new home.

“For many, this [location at 61 West 23rd Street] is the only Honbu we’ve ever known,” said Nidaime Akira Nakamura.

“We always say that your dojo is wherever you are,” Nidaime wrote to members in a June 5 letter announcing the move. “That it doesn’t matter whether we’re at the beach, on a grass field upstate at Gasshuku, or even at a tournament – your dojo is wherever you are.

“What we can’t deny is that this dojo is a living, breathing thing that has absorbed all of our energies and of those who came before us over the last 43 years. It literally has had our blood, sweat, and tears on this very floor.”

The members of the organization must now reflect on the rich history of the space and appreciate our time left here to train and grow. But we must look to the future and bring the same energy and dedication to finding, securing, and building a new home for World Seido Karate.

This is not the first time Seido has relocated. Kaicho started at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, then moved to 14th Street in Manhattan before settling at our current location in the Chelsea section, an area where skyrocketing property values have made it very costly to operate.

FUNDRAISER

After a very long and careful search, Nidaime has zeroed in on three specific commercial spaces near the present location on 23rd Street. Nidaime is consulting with an architect, a plumber, and a few contractors about the market costs associated with the relocation. Per those discussions, and discussions with the owners of these spaces, the preliminary estimated costs are as follows:

1. The market escrow deposit to secure the new location may cost as much as $100,000;
2. The preliminary estimated cost to install a new HVAC system is between $100,000 and $200,000; and
3. The preliminary estimated cost to build the new gym floor, office, and locker rooms with ADA-compliant bathrooms will be approximately $150,000.

To aid in securing, building, and relocating to the new headquarters, the organization has started a $250,000 fundraising campaign including a GoFundMe donation page, and both an online silent auction ( [ Ссылка ]) and a live auction.

Anyone making a contribution of:

• $250 - In recognition of your help, your name will be engraved on a plaque to be hung by the new shinzen;
• $500 – you will receive a part of the Honbu floor (+/- 16 inches) signed by Kaicho and Nidaime as well as your name on the plaque mentioned above.
• $1,000 – you will receive a limited edition 1x3-foot calligraphy print made and signed by Kaicho
• $2,500 will receive a limited edition 4x3-foot calligraphy print made and signed by Kaicho;
• $5,000 will receive an original 1x3-foot calligraphy made and signed by Kaicho;
• $10,000 will receive an original 4x3-foot calligraphy made and signed by Kaicho.

The Seido Juku Benefit Foundation is a not-for-profit 501c3. All donations to the foundation are tax deductible.

“We can do this. But please don’t sit back and wait for the grand re- opening of Honbu on January 1, 2020,” Nidaime wrote. “We need each and every one of us to get it done.”

Thank you for your time and dedication to this effort.

For information, or to donate auction items, please email Keizoku@Seido.com . Also, follow our progress: #SeidoKeizoku

Osu!

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