2010 Kodomo Tame Ni Gathering between the San Do Kai Dojo Long Beach, CA and Ukinjukai Dojo Ashland. This event was the seed gathering that lead to the creation of the Annual Taikai Gathering. Following the tragic death of Thomas M. White the title of the gathering became The Annual Thomas M. White Memorial Taikai which began in September 2012.
At the inaugural 2012 event the presiding master Instructors where front left to right, Thomas Spellman (Ukinju-Ryu), James Tong (Sanmon Ho Kenpo), Anna Spellman (Sanmon Ho/Ukinju-Ryu), Darrel Goen (Munen-Ryu), Robert Temple (BKF), Albert Wilson (SDK), Emanuel Thomas (SDK), and Sheri Temple (Am. Kenpo)
2012 A yearly tradition leading up to the weekend Taikai are the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday daily pre-event practices in Sensei Spellman's backyard followed by a potluck lunch each day.
Initially, starting with the 2012 Taikai Two-day weekend gatherings were held in the Rogue Community College gym in Grants Pass, OR where Professor Tom Spellman taught in the PE and Health department. Pictured here is the lineup in 2014 (2013 will be added when a picture is found).
The gathering continued to grow in participation as shown here in the 2015 attendee photo which included visiting Sifu Doty(JKD), front row right, along with the senior Ukinju-Ryu family members.
In 2016 we had the honor of hosting Professor Jaz Ka'iwko'o from Kona, Hawaiii along with our Daimon-Ryu Yudansha masters GM Tong, Master Goen and Master Anna Spellman. Professor Jaz shared his vast knowledge of Ju-Jitsu, grappling and Hawaiian Kenpo, what a treat and privilege!