Shojiro Koyama

Modern life is too quick and competitive, changes are rapid, and Karate helps us to see past the world around us and into ourselves. Our pace of living keeps us looking ahead; Karate helps us rediscover ourselves. Studying kata is like basic education and kumite is the final examination. The only diploma is using Karate …

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John Jarvis

I also took advice from my teacher on Jo fighting (stick approx. 120 cm long). He reminded me of the words of the great Miyamoto Musashi: “When you go on a long journey, think only about the next stop, not about the whole journey. When you fight many opponents, do the same.“ John Jarvis A …

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Hiroshi Shoji

It is my belief that to polish our waza (techniques) and our minds through Budo will make us healthy, live long and become useful for the community. Hiroshi Shoji The first JKA All Japan kata champion, Hiroshi Shoji was known for his exceptional timing. An instructor at the JKA Hombu, he was known for his …

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This week in history February (15 Feb – 21 Feb)

16 February On 16 February 2019, Yoshizo Machida was promoted by the JKA. JKA Brazil announced that the JKA Instructor Committee had recommended that he be promoted to 8th Dan. This was mainly due to his work of developing Shotokan Karate in Brazil. 17 February On 17 February 1947, Nicholas Adamou was born. He began …

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Tak Kubota

I don’t train so that I can go to a tournament and do a show. I do it because I want to train my body so I will be prepared for any confrontation. That’s the philosophy of my style. You can hit me anywhere you want and it will probably hurt you more than it …

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Takeshi Naito

Each era must accept tradition to grow, but not remain as it was 30 or 40 years ago. As I said “traditional” means “to continue” but accepting changes and improvements. Over time, everything undergoes an evolution, we always try to improve, to keep the positive and remove the negative: then it is a question of …

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Takeshi Oishi

Everything, in my opinion, is in the training, so there are no tips to give, only quantity of training, in order to automate the techniques, so as not to think, when it will be time for the fight. Takeshi Oishi One of the longest-serving instructors at the JKA, Takeshi Oishi was a formidable fighter. Known …

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This week in history (8 Feb – 14 Feb)

8 February On 8 February 1985, Kyoshi Yamazaki’s daughter, Mina, was born in California. In November 2012, Mina Yamazaki represented the United States at the 21st World Karate Championships, held in Paris, France. She had started learning Karate from her father, at the age of three. 9 February On 9 February 1929 Shotokan master Taiji …

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Norihiko Iida

Masatoshi Nakayama, the former Chief Instructor of the JKA, once said of Norihiko Iida: Iida’s changing techniques are admirable. They bring to mind the mysterious technique of twirling one’s fingers as if to hypnotise a dragonfly. One never thinks he will fall for the trick, but in the end, he succumbs A powerfully built man, …

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Toru Yamaguchi

Technique will keep on improving, I hope, as instructors understand more about modern technology and its uses. I believe we can develop new technology for our bodies too. Toru Yamaguchi Considered one of the best ever JKA instructors, Toru Yamaguchi was a well-rounded karateka. He had good kihon, kata, and kumite. Masatoshi Nakayama once described …

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