Gasshuku 2026 to bring together leading Traditional Karate Masters at Dojo Stara Wieś, Poland

From August 13 to 16, 2026, the European Budo Centre – Dojo Stara Wieś, in Poland, will welcome practitioners from around the world for another edition of the Summer Gasshuku, one of the most respected international gatherings dedicated to Traditional Karate.

By Paulo Pinto | Global Sports
Curitiba, July 19, 2026

Organized by the Polish Traditional Karate Union (PTKU), the event goes far beyond a technical seminar. Over four days, masters, instructors, officials and karate practitioners will share training sessions, knowledge, experiences and daily life within an environment specifically created to preserve the philosophy of Budō envisioned by Master Hidetaka Nishiyama, founder of the ITKF and the driving force behind the worldwide development of Traditional Karate.

Built according to traditional Japanese architectural principles and harmoniously integrated into the surrounding natural landscape, the European Budo Centre – Dojo Stara Wieś occupies a unique place in the international Traditional Karate community. Conceived with the direct participation of Hidetaka Nishiyama and inaugurated in 2009, it remains the only European complex designed entirely around the philosophical principles of Japanese Budō. Since then, it has become one of the world’s foremost venues for international seminars, educational courses and Traditional Karate events.

Hundreds of karate practitioners, seated in seiza, attend the opening ceremony of Gasshuku 2025 at the European Budo Centre – Dojo Stara Wieś, Poland © TKFP

According to Anna Kulczyńska, roku-dan (6th Dan) and Vice President of the Polish Traditional Karate Union (PTKU), Gasshuku 2026 will preserve the principles that have guided the technical and philosophical development of Traditional Karate for decades.

“Gasshuku 2026 will be far more than a training seminar. It will be an international gathering bringing together the highest authorities in Traditional Karate and practitioners from many countries, who will spend four days training together, exchanging knowledge and deepening the principles passed down through generations of masters.”

Shihan Włodzimierz Kwieciński leads a technical training session during Gasshuku at the European Budo Centre – Dojo Stara Wieś, Poland © TKFP

Leading figures of Traditional Karate

One of the highlights of the 2026 edition will be the presence of an exceptional group of instructors representing decades of experience accumulated across different continents.

Open to practitioners holding at least 1st kyu, the event will bring together some of today’s most respected representatives of Traditional Karate. Among those already confirmed are masters who have helped shape the discipline worldwide through technical excellence, the education of generations of practitioners and their contribution to the institutional development and international expansion of Traditional Karate.

Shihan Gilberto Gaertner leads one of the technical training sessions during Gasshuku 2025 © TKFP

The instructional team will include shihans Włodzimierz Kwieciński and Gilberto Gaertner, hachi-dan (8th Dan); senseis Justo Gomez, shichi-dan (7th Dan); Cornel Mușat, shichi-dan (7th Dan); Mohamed Fawzy, shichi-dan (7th Dan); Sandrine El Marhomy, shichi-dan (7th Dan); Paweł Janusz, roku-dan (6th Dan); Rytis Bublevicius, roku-dan (6th Dan); and Ramy El-Mekkawy, san-dan (3rd Dan).

Inspired by traditional Japanese architecture, the European Budo Centre – Dojo Stara Wieś provides an environment designed to integrate training, contemplation and the philosophical principles of Budō © TKFP

A Comprehensive Technical Program

Together, these instructors will lead a comprehensive technical program covering the fundamental pillars of Traditional Karate.

Training sessions will focus on the refinement of kihon, kata, advanced kumite concepts, teaching methodology, training strategies and the philosophical foundations of Budō.

Senseis Justo Gomez, Włodzimierz Kwieciński and Gilberto Gaertner, three of Traditional Karate’s leading authorities, share a moment of fellowship during Gasshuku 2025 © TKFP

According to the organizing committee, the detailed class schedule will be released shortly before the beginning of the event.

Far Beyond Training

Although the outstanding technical standard is one of the defining characteristics of the Gasshuku, the organizing committee emphasizes that the event’s greatest distinction lies in the unique atmosphere created at Dojo Stara Wieś.

The complex combines accommodation, training facilities, dining areas and communal spaces within a single environment, allowing participants to live, train and interact together throughout the four-day seminar.

This immersive setting enables practitioners from different cultures to experience firsthand the concept of a single international dōjō community.

According to Paweł Janusz, roku-dan (6th Dan) and President of the Polish Traditional Karate Union (PTKU), this atmosphere completely transforms the Gasshuku experience.

“For several days, participants live as one dōjō community, sharing training sessions, conversations, meals and everyday life in the true spirit of Traditional Karate.”

In addition to the technical program, the event includes activities designed to strengthen the bonds among participants, creating opportunities for direct interaction between practitioners, instructors and federation leaders from different countries.

Sensei Paweł Janusz leads one of the technical training sessions during Gasshuku 2025 © TKFP

The Legacy of the Goodwill Tournament

Among the most symbolic moments of the program is the traditional Goodwill Tournament, whose origins date back to the events created by Hidetaka Nishiyama in San Diego.

Far more than a sporting competition, the tournament preserves the principles that have guided Traditional Karate since its very foundation.

Sensei Justo Gomez leads one of the technical training sessions during Gasshuku 2025 © TKFP

According to Paweł Janusz, its purpose is to give participants the opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired during the seminar while remaining faithful to the values of mutual respect, personal development and the spirit of Budō.

“In the Goodwill Tournament, victory is not the ultimate goal. What truly matters is personal growth, attitude, character and the spirit of Budō.”

Set within an area of approximately 60 hectares, the European Budo Centre – Dojo Stara Wieś combines world-class facilities, natural surroundings and Japanese tradition in one of the world’s most complete centers dedicated to Traditional Karate © TKFP

For many participants, this experience becomes one of the most memorable moments of the Gasshuku, allowing them to put into practice, within a competitive setting, the principles established by Nishiyama for the development of Traditional Karate.

A complete gasshuku experience

In addition to training sessions and Dan examinations, participants will enjoy on-site accommodation, full meal service and all the facilities required throughout the seminar.

The goal is to allow every practitioner to focus entirely on learning, personal development and interaction with the international Traditional Karate community gathered at the event.

Włodzimierz Kwieciński, founder of the Polish Traditional Karate Union (PTKU) and a leading promoter of Traditional Karate and the philosophy of Budō, conceived the European Budo Centre – Dojo Stara Wieś, recognized as one of the world’s foremost training centers dedicated to Traditional Karate © TKFP

At the conclusion of the seminar, participants will come together for the traditional Sayonara Party, a special occasion dedicated to celebrating friendships and strengthening the bonds established among masters, instructors and karate practitioners during the four days of training.

According to Paweł Janusz, these informal moments often become some of the most meaningful and lasting memories of the Gasshuku experience.

Senior federation officials and the highest-ranking instructors are introduced to participants during the opening ceremony of Gasshuku 2025 © TKFP

Registration and further information

The Polish Traditional Karate Union (PTKU) provides comprehensive information about Gasshuku 2026 on its official website.

Click HERE for complete information on registration, accommodation, the training program and logistical details for Gasshuku 2026 at Dojo Stara Wieś.

Far more than a training center, the European Budo Centre – Dojo Stara Wieś was created to provide complete immersion in the Japanese philosophy of Budō, bringing together training, accommodation and community life within a single environment © TKFP

An Invitation to the International Karate Community

Inviting karate practitioners from around the world to attend the 2026 edition, Paweł Janusz emphasizes that Dojo Stara Wieś represents far more than a training center.

It is a place created to preserve the philosophy of Budō while bringing together people who share the same values, traditions and commitment to Traditional Karate.

“We hope that, in August 2026, Dojo Stara Wieś will once again become the beating heart of the international Traditional Karate community.”

With a world-class technical program, an environment inspired by Japanese tradition and the presence of some of today’s most respected masters, Gasshuku 2026 once again reinforces its status as one of the world’s premier international gatherings dedicated to Traditional Karate.