Shuko-Kai | Shuko-Kai Karate-Do

HISTORY OF SHUKO-KAI KARATE-DO

Shuko-Kai (修交会) is a group of closely related styles of Karate, based on Tani-ha Shito-Ryu, a branch of Shito-Ryu developed by Chojiro Tani in the late 1940's, and refined by his students, including Yamada Haruyoshi and Kimura Shigeru. The first dojo where Tani taught his style was opened in Kobe, Japan in 1946 and named “Shuko-Kai”, meaning the "Way for All" Club. Shuko-Kai was designed around the study of body mechanics, and is famed for its 'double hip twist' to maximize the force of its strikes. Due to this, Shuko-Kai is known as one of the hardest-hitting Karate styles.

O’Sensei CHOJIRO TANI

Chōjirō Tani (長治郎谷) was born in 1921, at Kobe, Japan and started his formal Karate training under Miyagi Chōjun, who founded the Gojū-Ryū style, while a student at the Doshisha University in Kyoto. After a few months, Miyagi Chōjun returned to Okinawa and the founder of Shitō-Ryū, Kenwa Mabuni took over the teaching. Upon graduating from university, Tani began learning Shuri-Te and then Shitō-Ryū from Kenwa Mabuni as well. After many years of training under Mabuni and becoming one of his most senior students, Tani received the certificate of succession from him and became the head of Shitō-Ryū, enabling him to use the name Tani-ha Shito-Ryu. Sensei Tani died on 11th January 1998.

Sensei KUNIO MIYAKE

The founder of Shuko-Kai International Karate-Do is Sensei Kunio Miyake. Who was born in 1946. He began teaching martial arts in Japan, while at the same time teaching modern Japanese language and literature at the high school level. Miyake Sensei came to the United States in 1985, and quickly established Shuko-Kai U.S.A. in Southern California with permission of Shuko-Kai Tani-ha Shito-Ryu Soke Chojiro Tani.

He currently holds an official U.S.A. National Karate-Do Federation 8th Degree Black Belt in Karate-Do and a 6th Degree Black Belt in Shorinji Kempo Aiki-Jujitsu. His Instructor's licenses were issued by the All-Japan Karate-Do Federation and the World Shorinji Kempo Federation in 1978 in Japan. He is also Soke / President of Nippon Toho Lai-Do Renmei Shuko-Kai. These degrees require the highest caliber of Karate, Jujitsu and Lai-Do knowledge. Miyake Sensei was the All-Japan Champion in Shito-Ryu Shuko-Kai in 1982 and the 1988 U.S.A Karate Federation National Champion. He was also selected to be the representative at the All-Japan Martial Representatives Arts Demonstration (Budo-Sai) -- a distinctive honor due to the fact that are chosen throughout Japan based on their superior skills in their respective arts. His USANKF Black Belt, which has equally been approved by the U.S. Olympic Committee and is the highest rank in this organization.

In addition of being a Member of the Examiners Board (U.S.A.N.K.F), Miyake Sensei also serves in the U.S.A.N.K.F's National Technical Committee as the Chairman of the Kata Committee and Technical advisor for the National Team and Coaches (1994-2010). He also held Pan-American and W.K.F International Referee's Licenses. He also has received the honor of Instructor of the year at USA- NKF National Tournament 2003.

MIYAKE Karate-Do (Shito-Ryu)

There are four major schools (styles) of Japan Karate Do: Shoto-Kan, Shito-Ryu, Goju-Ryu and Wado-Ryu. They all belong to the Japan Karate-Do Federation (JKF) which is the only Karate-Do Federation recognized by the Japanese government due to the high standards they promote. In our school, we use JKF standards and regulations for international competition. Not only do we train for the Sport of Karate, but we strive towards Budo Karate as well.

SHUKO-KAI INTERNATIONAL KARATE-DO

The Purpose of Shuko-Kai International Karate-Do

The purpose of Shuko-Kai International Karate-Do is to strive to achieve excellent quality of training and building up good relationship with other members. This will bring us to our bonds and the highest level of Traditional Authentic Japanese Martial Arts (Budo) through Karate-Do plus, Lai-Jujitsu of Nihon-Kobudo.

Shuko-Kai International Karate-Do Five Principles

The way of Respect for oneself and others through the Practice of Moderation.
The way of Genuine Effort towards Conquering oneself.
The way of Harmony with oneself and others.
The way of Mutual Support.
The way of Cultivation of Excellent Character.

Meaning of Shuko-Kai

The word “Shuko-Kai” is somewhat difficult to translate. It is easier to break the word down into it’s components to obtain a better understanding of what it means.

“Shu” can be translated to mean : Training.

“Ko” can be translated to mean : Many people Meeting, Crossing, Intersection, Come together.

“Kai” can be translated to mean : Association, Train under one roof.

Sensei Tani

Sensei Tani began studying Goju Karate while at junior high school. When he entered the Doshisha university, he began studying Shito-Ryu Karate. Upon receiving his menko (teachers certificate) from Kenwa Mabuni, Sensei Tani began teaching Tani-ha Shito-Ryu at his own dojo in 1948. He proudly hung a wood carved sign above the entrance which said Shuko-Kai.

Sensei Tani sought to perfect his style by studying the mechanics of the human body and developed techniques which can be delivered with maximum efficiency. Over a long period of time Sensei Tani evolved and developed Shuko-Kai. He always laid stress on the importance of etiquette, discipline and mental control and was at pains constantly to promote the improvement of technique.

After the death of the founder of Shito-Ryu Shuko-Kai, Mr Chojiro Tani on the 11th of January 1998, there was a conference of the Shuko-Kai general council on the 28th of June 1998 to determine the future continuance Shuko-Kai and the Tani-ha sect of Shito-Ryu.

The proceedings of the conference were recorded and minuted, and it was decided the Shuko-Kai name would become the “Shito-Ryu Shuko-Kai Karate-Do Union”, the proper successor to the original Shuko-Kai organisation, found by Mr. Tani.

It was also decided and agreed that the first leader of this new organisation, would be Mr Haruyoshi Yamada (10th Dan Hanshi). Yamada sensei passed away in Amagasaki in 2018. Yazu Kaicho is the current head of the Shito-Ryu Shuko-Kai Union.

Genesis of Shuko-Kai

Mr. Chojiro Tani was born in Kobe, Japan in 1921 and began studying the art of Karate during Junior High School at the Gojo School of Karate. He entered Doshisha University in 1940 and furthered his studies of Karate under the direction of Kenwa Mabuni. In 1948 he opened the Shuko-Kai School of Karate in Kobe, where he taught Tani-ha Shito-Ryu. He also organised clubs in Kyoto University and Osaka College of Economics, Tottiro University and Kobe University Medical School.

Outside of Japan, Tani's style spread mainly in Europe (Kofukan International). Shigeru Kimura, one of the students of Chojiro Tani then promulgated Shuko-Kai to the United States, whilst Yoshinao Nambu continued to teach in Europe.

Principles of Shuko-Kai

Shuko-Kai enchances the traditional styles of Karate by blending it with the logical principles behind modern sporting dymanics.