The Shito-ryu Shukokai Karatedo Union is a worldwide acting organisation.
It's aim is to provide the art of Shito-ryu Shukokai Karatedo.
It is one of the most dynamic and successful Karate schools. Shukokai's Japanese roots centred on the universities of Osaka and Kyoto and their students established the school as a fast and powerful style. Shukokai was the brainchild of TANI Chojiro sensei. Tani sensei studied Goju-Ryu for a decade until meeting MABUNI Kenwa sensei, the famous Shito-Ryu Master. Tani Sensei became a keep disciple of this fast and fluid style and he was finally allowed to open his own school in 1948.
Sensei Tani was fascinated with the science of body mechanics and movement, and after much experimenting and comprehensive study he re-designed the Shito-Ryu's kicking and punching methods to maximise and benefit from plyometric (elastic property) contraction of the muscles. The hip movement was emphasised and Shukokai's famous double hip movement for executing strikes developed, giving the style it's explosive power. Impact pads were introduced to help the Shukokai stylists enhance their power. Tani Sensei successfully fused the dynamics and speed of Shito-Ryu with the power and strength of Goju-Ryu so none of the qualities or strengths of either style were lost.
After the death of Tani Sensei in 1998 YAMADA Haruyoshi sensei was elected to lead the organisation of Shukokai. He was born in 1938 in Akita prefecture, . He began his martial arts study in Judo before coming involved in Karate. In 1956 he became a disciple of Tani sensei and was one of his top ranking pupils. He is one of the highest representatives of Japan Karate Federation and is also engaged in the Japanese Olympic Committee. Yamada sensei is living in Amagasaki near Osaka , where he is running a bone setting clinic as well as his dojo with approximately 10.000 students nation-wide.
The SHITO-RYU SHUKOKAI UNION Oceania was re-organised in 2002. It is lead Stephen Kelly sensei, 5th dan as Chief instructor. Its headquarter is located in Brisbane, Queensland, , where Mr. Kelly resides. Member countries of the Union are throughout , Europe, America and throughout Asia .
The Shito-ryu Shukokai Union Oceania organises regular visits to for training and competing together with our japanese masters and friends from all over the world. As well, World Chief Instructor, Yamada Sensei and other japanese masters and teams regularly visit to share their knowledge.
Osu
MISSION STATEMENT :
Our goal is to promote Shito-ryu Shukokai karate-do within the Oceanis region, under the guidance of World Chief Instructor, Haruyoshi Yamada, 9th Dan. Shito-ryu Shukokai World Karate-do Unionseeks to maintain the roots and traditions of Shito-ryu while advancing the teachings of Shukokai, the faction founded in 1948 by Chojiro Tani, Soke. Tani sought to perfect his karate by studying the mechanics of the human body and developed techniques that can be delivered with maximum efficiency. SSU-Oceania aims to forge an organization free of trivial politics and ego for the betterment of karate and invites all interested individuals and groups to learn more about us.
It is now possible for Instructors and clubs in to be affiliated with Shito-ryu Shukokai Union Oceania Karate which is part of the world Shito-Ryu Shukokai Karate Union based in Osaka.
For more information on membership, please contact us at stephen@kansaikarate.com
