International Shotokan Karate Federation
Encyclopedia
The International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) is the largest shotokan karate organization in North and South America. In 1977, in an effort to spread the study of shotokan karate
throughout the world, high-ranking members from the Japan Karate Association
(JKA) founded the ISKF. In 2007, the ISKF split off from the JKA to become an independent organization. Members of the ISKF follow the teachings of shotokan's founder, Gichin Funakoshi
. Though the ISKF is based mainly in the United States, affiliated dojos can be found in over forty countries worldwide. Teruyuki Okazaki
(1931–present) is the chairman and chief instructor of the ISKF.
(colored belt) tests, the candidate must demonstrate the mandated kata
for their rank, karate basics, and sparring. Testing of a karateka is typically allowed every three months until 1st kyu is obtained. The minimum waiting period between 1st kyu and 1st dan
is typically one year.
For dan (black belt) examinations, the candidate must travel to the regional headquarters or attend clinics given by certified examiners (such as national competitions). The candidate must demonstrate two katas, one of his or her choice and one chosen by the chief examiner. The candidate is also tested on free sparring
, which is non-point (i.e. it does not stop when someone makes contact). Older candidates may also demonstrate self-defense techniques, in which they must defend themselves from a series of attacks from an instructor. Board-breaking
is not generally tested, as it falls outside the purview of traditional karate.
Other camps are held outside the United States.
On April 2, 2007, three of the founding members of the ISKF (Takashina, Koyama, and Takayuki Mikami
) decided to remain with the JKA, forming JKA/WF Americas and the JKA American Federation (JKA/AF). However, a majority of the practitioners within the ISKF decided to remain with that organization rather than JKA, including Teruyuki Okazaki
, one of the founders.
Mikami and Takashina have made individual statements about their decision to remain in the JKA.
The ISKF made a formal statement regarding the break.
Shotokan
is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Gigo Funakoshi . Gichin was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing karate through a series of public demonstrations, and by promoting the development of university karate clubs, including...
throughout the world, high-ranking members from the Japan Karate Association
Japan Karate Association
Japan Karate Association is one of the most influential Shotokan karate organizations in the world...
(JKA) founded the ISKF. In 2007, the ISKF split off from the JKA to become an independent organization. Members of the ISKF follow the teachings of shotokan's founder, Gichin Funakoshi
Gichin Funakoshi
was the creator of Shotokan karate, perhaps the most widely known style of karate, and is attributed as being the 'father of modern karate.' Following the teachings of Anko Itosu, he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921...
. Though the ISKF is based mainly in the United States, affiliated dojos can be found in over forty countries worldwide. Teruyuki Okazaki
Teruyuki Okazaki
Teruyuki Okazaki , a tenth degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, is the founder, chairman and chief instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation . Along with Gichin Funakoshi and Masatoshi Nakayama, Okazaki helped found the Japan Karate Association's instructor training program.-Early...
(1931–present) is the chairman and chief instructor of the ISKF.
ISKF regional directors
| Instructor | Rank | Region | Regional headquarters' official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teruyuki Okazaki Teruyuki Okazaki Teruyuki Okazaki , a tenth degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, is the founder, chairman and chief instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation . Along with Gichin Funakoshi and Masatoshi Nakayama, Okazaki helped found the Japan Karate Association's instructor training program.-Early... |
10th dan | East Coast Region | Philadelphia Shotokan Karate Club |
| Yutaka Yaguchi Yutaka Yaguchi Yutaka Yaguchi is the Chief Instructor and Chairman of the International Shotokan Karate Federation Mountain States Region. He was born in Hiroshima, Japan, in 1932 and began karate training in 1952. He later tested under masters Gichin Funakoshi for his 1st dan black belt and Masatoshi Nakayama... |
9th dan | Mountain States Region | ISKF Mountain States |
| James Field | 8th dan | Southwest Region | ISKF Santa Monica |
| Cathy Cline | 7th dan | Northwest Region | Western Washington Shotokan Karate Club |
| Anthony Nakazawa | 6th dan | Alaska Region | Alaska Shotokan Karate |
| Greer Golden/Martin Vaughan | 6th/6th dan | Mid-America Region | ISKF Mid-America |
| Lee Doohen | 6th dan | North Central Region | ISKF North Central |
| Chuck Coburn | 5th dan | Western Region | ISKF Western |
| Kim Koo | 5th dan | South Atlantic Region | ISKF South Atlantic |
| JD Swanson/Leon Sill | 4th/7th dan | Southern Region | ISKF Southern |
Testing
For all kyuKyu
is a Japanese term used in martial arts, chadō, ikebana, go, shogi such as Japanese traditional culture, and academic tests and in other similar activities to designate various grades or levels or class of proficiency or experience...
(colored belt) tests, the candidate must demonstrate the mandated kata
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
for their rank, karate basics, and sparring. Testing of a karateka is typically allowed every three months until 1st kyu is obtained. The minimum waiting period between 1st kyu and 1st dan
Dan rank
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
is typically one year.
For dan (black belt) examinations, the candidate must travel to the regional headquarters or attend clinics given by certified examiners (such as national competitions). The candidate must demonstrate two katas, one of his or her choice and one chosen by the chief examiner. The candidate is also tested on free sparring
Sparring
Sparring is a form of training common to many martial arts. Although the precise form varies, it is essentially relatively 'free-form' fighting, with enough rules, customs, or agreements to make injuries unlikely...
, which is non-point (i.e. it does not stop when someone makes contact). Older candidates may also demonstrate self-defense techniques, in which they must defend themselves from a series of attacks from an instructor. Board-breaking
Breaking (martial arts)
Breaking is a martial arts technique that is used in competition, demonstration and testing. Breaking is an action where a martial artist uses a striking surface to break one or more objects using the skills honed in their art form. The striking surface is usually a hand or a foot, but may also be...
is not generally tested, as it falls outside the purview of traditional karate.
Master camp
The ISKF runs an annual training retreat in Green Lane, Pennsylvania, which draws karate practitioners from all over the world. Guest instructors from outside of the ISKF are often invited to teach classes. Mandatory classes are held twice per day, optional training once per day, and a special instructor training class once per day. Dan (black belt) exams, examiner certification, and judge certification are also offered. The retreat generally concludes with a goodwill tournament.Other camps are held outside the United States.
Collegiate karate
The ISKF is affiliated with the East Coast Collegiate Karate Union (ECCKU). Teruyuki Okazaki is the chairman and chief instructor; Dr. Paul Smith is the director. James Sim is the ECCKU coordinator. The ECCKU has 15 member-colleges, but any karateka in college may compete in tournaments.Split with JKA
In June 2007, the ISKF ended its affiliation with the JKA due to a conflict over new rules that were declared at the 2007 JKA board of directors meeting.On April 2, 2007, three of the founding members of the ISKF (Takashina, Koyama, and Takayuki Mikami
Takayuki Mikami
is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate based in the United States of America. He holds the rank of 9th dan black belt in the art. In 1958, Mikami tied for first place in the All Japan Karate Championships. The following year, he became the All Japan champion in kumite as well as kata . In 1961,...
) decided to remain with the JKA, forming JKA/WF Americas and the JKA American Federation (JKA/AF). However, a majority of the practitioners within the ISKF decided to remain with that organization rather than JKA, including Teruyuki Okazaki
Teruyuki Okazaki
Teruyuki Okazaki , a tenth degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, is the founder, chairman and chief instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation . Along with Gichin Funakoshi and Masatoshi Nakayama, Okazaki helped found the Japan Karate Association's instructor training program.-Early...
, one of the founders.
Mikami and Takashina have made individual statements about their decision to remain in the JKA.
The ISKF made a formal statement regarding the break.