History
Shotokan Karate - a brief history
Back in 1922 Karate was introduced to Japan in by an Okinawan schoolteacher Gichin Funakoshi (b.1868), he is considered to be the 'Father' of modern Karate. He learnt his Martial arts from two famous Okinawan masters, Yasutsune(Ankoh) Itosu and Yasutsune(Anko) Azato.
Funakoshi took inspiration from traditional Japanese budo styles like Kendo and Judo and added emphasis to the more philosophical aspects. It was this newly developed version of Karate-do (the way of the 'empty hand') that he introduced to mainland Japan.
1922 Master Funakoshi travelled to Tokyo to successfully present his art at the First National Athletics exhibition in Tokyo organized by the Ministry of education.
The philosophy of SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO is based on the traditional Budo sprit which seeks for the perfection of character through hard training and discipline
DOJO KUN
1. SEEK PERFECTION OF CHARACTER
1. BE SINCERE
1. PUT MAXIMUM EFFORT INTO EVERYTHING YOU DO
1. RESPECT OTHERS
1. DEVELOP SELF CONTROL
Ryukyu Kobudo - a brief history
In 1922, Taira Shinken left Okinawa and travelled to Tokyo in search of work like many other Okinawans, he was introduced to Funakoshi Ginchin, a fellow Okinawan and Karate instructor. Taira Sensei became a deshi (student) of Funakoshi Gichin in an effort to learn Karate do. In 1929, Taira Sensei began his studies of Ryukyu Kobudo under Yabiku Moden Sens
In 1940 Master Taira Shinken opened a Kobudo Dojo in Naha, Okinawa.
In 1955 he established the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai, to promote the Ancient Okinawan Martial Arts as passed down to him by so many great masters.
Taira Shinken Sensei is credited with bringing together many of the Okinawa’s oldest and most prominent weapons traditions into one comprehensive system of weaponry training.
KKA Karate Academy - a brief history
After many years teaching Karate in Auckland and Wellington, in 2013 Allan Youl returned to the Kapiti coast. He was looking for a Karate club to join but was unsuccessful. In February 2014 a sign was erected on the building next to his work, "Kapiti Kombat Centre". Allan approached Marty, the Centre's Manager, who he already knew through work. It was a hub of Mixed fighting arts, offering BJJ, Kick boxing and traditional boxing. Sensei Marty (5th dan Zendokai Karate) offered Allan a spot to teach Karate.
Allan taught a mixture of Shotokan, GojuRyu and Zendokai Karate while Sensei Marty prepared him for his Zendokai 2nd dan examination. Unfortunately the Centre closed before the exam. Allan decided to continue with the Karate club as it had grown in popularity. The club was renamed "Kapiti Karate Academy" and affiliated with Sensei Otis (8th Dan) and the Shotokan International Alliance.
These days, they have a team of instructors, have an additional site in Kapiti for the "Little Tigers" Karate classes, a dojo in the Hutt Valley and also offer Traditional Kobudo weapons classes, the club is now known as "KKA Karate Academy"
2016. Sensei Marty and Sensei Allan after a grading (4 of these young students are now Black belts)
