August 23–26, 2027
Morro da Vargem Zen Monastery
Ibiraçu — Espírito Santo — Brazil
For centuries, Karate and Zen have walked the same path. Over four days, that path can be lived in its most authentic form.
What If...
What if Karate could be more than technique?
What if silence could teach as much as movement?
What if stepping away from routine for just four days could transform the way you understand your practice?
Ken Zen Ichinyō is not just another international Karate seminar.
It is an invitation to live the routine of a traditional Zen monastery while practicing authentic Okinawan Goju-Ryu under the guidance of internationally respected instructors.
For four days, you will not be a visitor.
You will not be a tourist.
You will be part of the monastery.
Wake before sunrise.
Meditate with the monks.
Share meals.
Work alongside them.
Train.
Listen.
Reflect.
Practice.
You may discover that some of Karate’s greatest lessons are found in silence.
The Origin
Ken Zen Ichinyō 拳禅一如
Karate and Zen as one.
Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-Ryu Karate, understood that a martial artist’s true strength lies not only in the physical body, but in the mind and spirit.
One of his closest disciples was Sakiyama Sogen Roshi. After his dedication to the rigorous training of Goju-Ryu in Okinawa, Sakiyama Roshi followed a profound path in the monastic tradition, becoming a respected Zen Master as well.
His life was a living testament that Karate is not merely technique. It is also discipline, awareness, humility, and absolute presence. For him, rigorous physical training and silent meditation were two expressions of the same path toward self-knowledge.
This event was born as a tribute to that legacy.
Not simply speaking of it...
But living it.
"Dedicated to the memory of Sakiyama Sogen Roshi, whose life reminds us that Karate and Zen have always been a single path."
One tradition.
One mind.
There are many Karate seminars.
There are many meditation retreats.
Ken Zen Ichinyō is neither.
It is a rare opportunity to experience both traditions exactly where they naturally meet.
There will be no audience.
There will be no performance.
There will only be practice.
The goal is not to escape the world.
It is to return to it with more clarity.
A Place Like No Other
Nestled in the mountains of Espírito Santo, surrounded by the rich biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest, lies the first Zen monastery in South America.
Morro da Vargem Zen Monastery
A pioneer and one of the largest centers for practice and environmental and spiritual preservation in Brazil.
The Great Buddha of Ibiraçu
The largest Buddha statue in the Western world, welcoming visitors at the entrance of the monastery.
Atlantic Forest & Silence
An environment where discipline meets deep contemplation of nature and self-knowledge.
The monastery in images
Drag sideways to see more photos
Meet Your Instructors
Sensei Paolo Taigō Spongia
IOGKF Italy Chief Instructor (8th Dan)
IOGKF International Technical Committee Member (Gijutsu Iinkai)
Zen Soto Monk and Zen Master
Having dedicated his life to the development of traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate, Sensei Spongia is an international reference within the IOGKF. His journey in the martial arts led him not only to technical excellence, but also to a profound spiritual search.
As a Zen Master, he is the embodiment of the concept “Ken Zen Ichinyō.” He integrates the rigor and martial discipline of Okinawa with the serenity and presence of Soto Zen meditation.
Rev. Kendo Bitti
International Missionary, Soto Zen Buddhism
Abbot, Zenkoji – Morro da Vargem Zen Monastery
After several years training at Kotaiji Monastery in Japan, he returned to Brazil to lead, as abbot, the Morro da Vargem Zen Monastery. A monk of the Soto Zen tradition and abbot of the first Zen monastery in Latin America, located in Ibiraçu (ES).
He dedicates his life to the practice, teaching, and spread of Zen in Brazil, leading retreats, talks, and activities focused on human and spiritual development.
Sensei Zé Mário
IOGKF Brazil Chief Instructor (5th Dan)
Organizer of Ken Zen Ichinyō 2027
Chief instructor of the IOGKF in Brazil, Sensei Zé Mário has led the preservation of Chojun Miyagi’s essence and teachings in the country.
His constant dedication to technical growth and to promoting Karate as a philosophy of life inspired him to live the transformative experience of combining Dojo discipline with monastic routine, giving rise to Ken Zen Ichinyō.
He lives in the city of Vitória, Espírito Santo, where he built, with his own hands, a replica of an old Okinawan house, which serves as the honbu dojo of IOGKF Brazil.
A day inside the monastery
Each day inside the monastery follows a rhythm that has remained largely unchanged for generations.
Life begins before sunrise.
Every activity has a purpose. Every moment is part of the practice.
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
EVENING
This schedule is subject to change
Your home for
four days
Staying at the monastery is not a conventional accommodation. It is a fundamental part of the experience. Simplicity, respect, community, and monastic life guide every moment.
Participants will stay at the monastery from the afternoon of the 23rd until the morning of the 26th of August.
Accommodation Details
- ●Rooms shared by two or three people.
- ●Mattress, pillow, sheets, and blankets included.
- ●Ovo-lacto vegetarian meals included.
- ●Meals prepared by the monks with the participation of guests.
- ●Community work (Samu) is a fundamental part of the experience.
How to Get There
The nearest airport is Vitória Airport — VIX.
The monastery is located approximately one hour by car from the airport.
Uber
A convenient option directly from the airport
Taxi
Available in the arrivals area
Shared Van
Will be organized if there is sufficient demand among participants
Before and After the Event
For participants who wish to arrive in Vitória before the event or stay in the city afterward, the recommended official hotel is Alameda Vitória Hotel.
Alameda Vitória Hotel offers very good value for money and location. It faces the beach, on one of Vitória’s most beautiful boardwalks.
Information about reservations and special conditions will be updated soon.
More than a souvenir
Official T-Shirt
Every participant will receive an official Ken Zen Ichinyō 2027 commemorative t-shirt.
The t-shirt is included in the registration fee, and the size can be chosen while completing your registration.
Sayonara Party
A moment of celebration, friendship, and farewell after the intense days of immersion.
- ● Will take place in Vitória
- ● Held on August 26, 2027
- ● Optional participation
- ● Chosen during registration
Expression of Interest
Ken Zen Ichinyō has been designed as an intimate international gathering, where every participant contributes to the unique atmosphere of the experience.
To ensure the event can be organized to the highest possible standard, we are currently collecting Expressions of Interest from practitioners who genuinely intend to participate.
There is no payment required at this stage.
The event will be confirmed once at least 50 committed participants have submitted their Expression of Interest by April 30, 2027.
If this minimum is reached, all participants who submitted an Expression of Interest will receive an invitation to complete their official registration and payment.
Complete the form
Complete the online Expression of Interest form.
Wait for the deadline
Wait until the Expression of Interest period closes on April 30, 2027.
Official invitation
If the minimum number of participants is reached, you will receive an invitation to complete your official registration and payment, along with all the necessary information.
Why an Expression of Interest?
Organizing an international event of this nature requires careful planning and coordination.
By submitting your Expression of Interest, you help us assess the level of commitment within the international karate community and determine whether the event can move forward.
Your submission does not represent a financial commitment, but it does reflect your genuine intention to participate should the event be confirmed.
Anticipated payment methods
* Payment details will only be sent with the official registration invitation, if the event is confirmed.
Investment
Ken Zen Ichinyō Gasshuku
USD 450
per participant
Includes
- 4 days of Karate and Zen practice
- Accommodation at the Morro da Vargem Zen Monastery
- All meals during the event
- Official event t-shirt
Sayonara Party
OptionalUSD 60
per participant
Held on the closing night, in the city of Vitória-ES.
Participation in the event begins with the Expression of Interest, with no payment required at this stage.
Begin your journey
Your Expression of Interest is submitted through our official form.
Choose the language you would like to fill out the form in:
No payment is required at this stage. If the event is confirmed, you will receive an invitation to official registration.
Before You Come
Get in Touch
If you have questions about travel, registration, or the event, we’ll be happy to help.
See you in Brazil
For centuries, Karate and Zen have shared the same path.
Now, for four days, that path will be yours.
We look forward to welcoming you to Brazil.
We look forward to welcoming you to Ken Zen Ichinyō 2027.
Express your interest.
Begin your journey.