THE LATE HANSHI PAUL LEONARD: CHIEF INSTRUCTOR - WORLD CONGRESS SHINTANI WADO KAI KARATE: 9th Dan Wado Kai Karate / 8th Dan Shindo

 Hanshi Paul Leonard passed away on July 29, 2021.

 Sensei Paul Leonard exemplified what a Karate teacher should be: kind, fair and honest. This rare combination of character traits is more important than superior technical skill, which he also possessed. As well, he was consistently faithful to the spirit and legacy of his beloved Sensei, the late Masaru Shintani. Sensei Paul has played a positive role in the lives of his family, friends, colleagues and countless students. On a lighter note, he was a gifted storyteller with a playful sense of humor. Sensei Paul's noble philosophy of martial arts will continue to guide me on the Karate path.

 Hanshi Leonard Inducted - 2020: Canadian Karate Association Black Belt Hall of Fame

Paul Leonard dedicated himself to helping Karate students achieve success both as martial artists and productive citizens. Throughout the years, he has always placed students’ interests above his own.

Hanshi Leonard’s consistent loyalty, humility and genuine conduct guided the World Congress of Shintani Wado Kai Karate. This organization is dedicated to the advancement of Wado Ryu Karate Do as developed by its founder, the late Hironori Otsuka Sensei and Shindo as developed by the late Masaru Shintani Sensei.

Hanshi Leonard was also the highest ranking Shindo instructor in Canada. Shindo is Sensei Shintani’s blended art of Jo and Bokken Jutsu, designed to honor his mother’s samurai heritage.

Early Days

Born in 1946, Paul Leonard spent his youth in Kapuskasing Ontario. After marrying, he moved his family to Cochrane where he current resides with his wife Claire. In addition to teaching Wado Ryu Karate Do and Shindo, he has been employed by the Timmins Daily Press for many years. As a young man, Leonard was a noted strength athlete who embraced Karate in 1971 after witnessing a demonstration by senior students of Hanshi Masuru Shintani.

Remarkable Strength

While travelling by rail Hanshi would carry his barbell plates in sturdy suitcases weighting over 200 pounds. He would often tease young porters who struggled valiantly with the luggage before relieving them of the burden. Hanshi’s hand strength was such that he once accidentally ripped the sleeve from one uke’s heavyweight gi.

Hanshi Leonard's strength is balanced by lightning speed and technical precision, especially when executing Shintani’s trademark tai sabaki techniques. For example, Hanshi's double block and leg sweep combination spins his opponent off balance while he slips behind the stunned attacker.

Meeting Shintani Sensei

Leonard’s 1975 meeting with Shintani marked the start of a bonding process that deepened as the younger man absorbed Shintani’s technical wisdom and martial philosophy. Leonard earned Shodan rank in 1977 and advanced rapidly under Sensei’s Shintani’s steady guidance. Eventually, Leonard became Uchi Deshi and upon Shintani’s death; the guardian of his Sensei’s Budo documentation, memorabilia and traditions.

In late 2007, Shintani presented Leonard with both his Hachidan and Kudan certificates in Wado Ryu and his Hachidan certificate in Shindo Jutsu, instructing him to wait a certain number of years before announcing each promotion. Just before his death in Hamilton, Sensei Shintani spent a month with Leonard in Cochrane where the two dedicated countless hours to refining Leonard’s kata, kumite and Shindo technique.

Hanshi Leonard has taught Wado Ryu Karate and Shindo to thousands of Canadians and guided lifelong students like Richard and Don Ouellette to success in provincial and national competition. Leonard’s many students in Ontario Quebec and Alberta continue this sporting tradition.

HANSHI MASARU SHINTANI, 10th DAN (1928-2000)

Hanshi Masaru Shintani, 10th Dan (Jūdan) was the Supreme Instructor of Wado Kai Karate in Canada and is founder of the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation (SWKKF). At the time of his death he was the highest ranking Sensei outside of Japan. A direct student of Master Otsuka, the founder of Wado Kai, Hanshi Shintani devoted over 50 years to the study of Karate. He also held ranks in Judo (Sandan), Aikido (Shodan), and Kendo (Shodan).

For the full story: https://shintani.ca/our-history/hanshi-masaru-shintani.html

COCHRANE TIMES POST-TIMMINS DAILY PRESS-SUDBURY STAR  NORTH BAY NUGGET

June 6, 2023

Local man earns national recognition posthumously

 Sensei Paul Leonard was a Black Belt, 9th Dan of Shintani World Congress Wado Kai Karate and Shintani Shindo and was inducted posthumously into the prestigious Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Ottawa on May 27.

Unless you are really into Karate, you basically know it from movies or television. But, it is a disciplined art that takes years to master. With that dedication, participants could raise in the ranks of this centuries’ old sport and can become a renowned member of the ancient order. Recently, Paul Leonard earned his place in the Canadian Karate Association Hall of Fame for that dedication. Unfortunately, he passed away July 29, 2021 at the age of 74. Sensei Leonard was a Black Belt, 9th Dan of Shintani World Congress Wado Kai Karate and Shintani Shindo and was inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Ottawa on May 27.

Born in Rouyn-Noranda he moved to Kapuskasing then to Driftwood and members of his family still remain in the area.

According to Morgan Duchesney, one of Sensei Leonard’s students “As a young man, Sensei Leonard was a noted strength athlete who embraced Karate in 1971 after witnessing a demonstration by senior students of Hanshi Masuru Shintani. Hanshi Leonard’s strength was balanced by lightning speed and technical precision, especially when executing Shintani’s trademark tai sabaki techniques. Hanshi’s double block and leg sweep combination spun his opponent off balance while he slipped behind the stunned attacker.

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.“Hanshi Leonard was also the highest ranking Shindo instructor in Canada. He taught Wado Ryu Karate and Shindo to thousands of Canadians and guided lifelong students to success in provincial and national competition. Leonard’s many students in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta continue this sporting tradition.”

He continued “Sensei Paul has played a positive role in the lives of his family, friends, colleagues and countless students. On a lighter note, he was a gifted storyteller with a playful sense of humour. Sensei Paul’s noble philosophy of martial arts will continue to guide me on the karate path.”

Another of his student’s Sensei Gilles Michaud accepted the award during the ceremony in Ottawa. “Sensei Leonard was a great man, he was humble, respectful and a good human being. I was Sensei Leonard’s student in karate for 35 years. He gave directions and guidance in all aspects of life. He shown me the path to become like him – being humble and loyal. He was a great man loved by so many people. He was kind and generous and he loved everyone that he met. He left his path to all of his students. He was a man of honour and integrity and we will miss him for ever.”

Sensei André Bernier, who also accepted the award for the Leonard family, noted “Sensei! That’s how the people from my community knew him by. A big and tall and very strong man with a big big heart and always talking with people no matter who you were or how you dressed or what you did for a living. Sensei Paul was a humble man that respected everyone. I spent 38 years by his side and saw him teach karate to thousands of people. If your parents had a hard time to make ends meet he would discreetly tell you to join karate this year for free. His teaching, talks about karate, life experience and the values he gave us through the years to be a better human beings, to never give up and to have a heart was more important than anything. In my 38 years beside him, I saw him save lives and change lives. He was what karate is all about and he is greatly missed by everyone who knew him. His love and passion for karate and loyalty to his teacher Hanshi Masaru Shintani will stay alive by our continuing his legacy. Rest in peace Sensei and I know you are watching over us all.”

Daughter Cassandra Leonard said that the induction was “a beautiful event. After hearing all these amazing stories it makes me beyond proud to have such an incredible father. They all said that my father was a well-respected and honourable man. One of his black belts Richard Ouellette once told me – If I would look up the definition of honour, I would see a photo of my father underneath it.”

She added “We were six siblings raised in Driftwood. My father taught karate for over 50 years in Canada. We started karate by the time we started school. He would sometimes bring one or two of us along with him when he would teach in clinics across Canada. I noticed he was very well respected and loved by his students. They all had amazing stories to share with me of my father. Many had been practicing the art over 40 years with him.”

“Growing up, I noticed he helped countless people in his life and often put the needs of others before his own. He was a hard worker and loved his family more than anything. My father had a strong presence and often seemed intimidating to many. But he had a heart of gold. He didn’t have much growing up and he always worked hard and remained honest and humble. He was truly an amazing person and I’m glad his legacy will go on,” concluded Leonard.