Thank you for your interest in becoming a Member of the "International Karate-do Teachers Association". We hope that everyone can find a place here, a place where your Word is important, your knowledge Valuable, and your willingness to Share is the Most Important thing we can offer each other........
#1.........This group is designed to simply be a "Meeting Place", a place where our collective karate knowledge can find a place for everyone.
For some, we can effectively service the needs of Karate Sensei and Students around the World who are seeking further Certification of Rank in Karate-do.
For a simple, one time fee of $45.oo US, you can have your Karate-do rank issued and/or be recognized as a Certified Member of the Kokusai Karate-do Shihankai........Upgrades in Rank/Title thereafter, if qualified, are only $25.oo. This includes shipping charges within the lower USA, but International, Alaska, and Hawaii rates are set by the shipper, and applied as needed. This fee is used to cover the cost of the Certificates, other printing supplies and shipping materials. We try hard not to be a place that takes your money, we want to give not to take.....okay we will take some knowledge if you are sharing!
It has been said that all Karate should unite! But, alas it seems to never happen..................
I think the question is always "Why? What can I gain by becoming a Member?"
#2.........All Karate was "originally" from Okinawa (yes it was influenced by Chinese martial arts that entered Okinawa), and Karate then entered into Japan in the early 1900's. In the beginning it remained simply Karate, and then Karate-do, with only the Dojo carrying a name. Even Associations were rather small at the time.
Later, after 1930, style names did emerge, as the many up and coming students wished to differentiate their Ryu, or style.
However many Sensei, including Gichin Funakoshi, Kenwa Mabuni, Kanken Toyama, and Hiroshi Kinjo all tried very hard to stay away from style names as long as possible, preferring only the use of the term "Karate".
Now however style names are the norm, and yet the secret to learning is still simple. Share waza or technique across styles when available, but do not dictate style to one another. It is real karate, or it is not. No one style is best for everyone. History has given us the Way, the Kata, and the knowledge of our past Sensei to complete the learning loop again.
#3.........Other unique aspects of Karate-do, after it migrated to Japan, were due to the political influences of Asia as a whole. Korean students entered into the Japanese Karate dojo's, and in several cases stayed many years. Toyama Sensei himself named two Koreans as qualified Shihan in Seito Karate-do. This would later cause the founding of two of Korea's greater known Karate styles, as Tang Soo Do and Kong Soo Do both emerged. Many Koreans learned Japanese Karate due to the influences of the Japanese Occupation.
This was in interesting time for Karate due to the migration of Okinawan Karate-do to Japan proper. This meant the Karate being taught in korea was most likely not Funakoshi Shotokan, but a real good mixture of tyhe Karate of both Okinawa and Japan.
We all should know real karate from the other Sport aspects of Martial Arts.
Real Sensei know the difference, and teach the difference. This is not a statement to disrespect any style of karate, but rather to state that the history of Karate is known, and where it went and what it became are all a part of Karate's clearly defined history.
So, you can see our mission is pretty simple ..... to bring together a group of Karate Teachers who desire to share their expertise, their experiences, and their knowledge of real Karate-do.
More importantly is to progress the method of the Seito Karate-do, to Dojo around the World, and promote the continued usage of the Original Karate that came to Japan. It is most likely part of your History already, and it is good to know the "Links from Okinawa" to each and every style.
Any and all practitioners of Okinawan or Japanese Karate can read the history of these times, and more importantly include the study of this branch of karate along with their parent style.
It is truly a part of Karate history, and therefore knowledge of this time should be important to all Black Belts and especially for Sensei and Shihan.
Korean Karate Dojang who wish to research their own history are welcome here too. Truly Welcome.
Students of any legitimate style of Japanese karate that began within Okinawa's art of Shuri-te, has this "Seito Karate" within their lineage whether they know it or not. Without this historical link, Japanese Karate may not even exist, and certainly Karate as it is now known around the World would not exist.....and no, Tang Soo Do and Kong Soo Do would not exist either. Some say that Kong Soo Do is the same as early Shotokan Karate, though the art of Kong Soo Do is fairly rare today, and Dojo are hard to find in America.
#4.........As a Member of the Shihankai, if you are qualified, and you have a desire to learn and share this History, you can receive a beautiful 11 x 17 inch Certificate of Rank in the art of "Seito Karate-do", surrounded by the Gold Phoenix border, and fully completed in both English and in Kanji, complete with all Hanko, and signatures as required. It will be a fitting addition to your Dojo, and will symbolize your desire to understand the true history of all Karate. Especially your own. You may even have advanced stdents that would like to beome Certified as well.
NOTE: This is NOT a group that wishes to change your current style, status, Rank, Title or anything like that. If we can help we will. Simple as that.
This is a Group for Karate Sensei to belong to, one that does not require any of your money after the initial joining fees. One that simply puts you in touch with other Sensei around the world, in order that you "might" exchange ideas, methods of teaching, and especially that we share a real part of Karate's History.
You are likely already doing the Kata that Seito karate sent to Japan. Those 14 Kata may not even be the full extent of your current style. The only thing to learn is the way these Kata were performed (if different) from your current way of doing them. You do this to be Historically informed about one of the greatest actions that ever happened to Karate. The way your Dojo does them will remain the same as you have them now, yet you might wish to teach your students the Original way of that particular time in History.
#5.........What is Seito Karate-do? Simply, the word Seito means "True or Original" and describes the Karate that has come from Shuri, Okinawa, through Japan, and on to all of the Continents of the World.
Naha-te also made its way to Japan, and was established firmly. Seito Karate though, has its roots in Shuri-te. The original Tomari-te is probably best seen in modern day Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu.
For many, Seito Karate is the original Karate of Japan, and again was called the Karate-do with no "Style" name attached. It was the normal thing to do back then, and as said above many Sensei resisted attaching style names to their art for many years.
Within sports Karate there are many fine examples of proper competitions for those who desire a different side of Karate. The mainstream Karate Organizations in todays competitive karate including the WKF, or World Karate Federation, the JKF, or Japan Karate Federation, and the USA-NKF, or USA National Karate Federation all follow a regimen of non-discrimination. They are not the open circuit, flash light twirling examples we see now on television. This latter example, like the PKA, is pure sport and certainly not real Karate, and yet is a true sport fighting arena that many enjoy.
The Kata that were originally selected for International competition, the Shiteigata.....were in fact a specific number of kata, from four of the major styles of Karate that were derived from Okinawa and Japan. It has now expounded even further within International Competition, by including the kata of all of the major Okinawan and Japanese styles of Karate-do.
While this still embodies the nature of what Seito Karate is in it's applications, it still has been altered for the sake of competition. Therefore we also need to maintain the historical aspects of the older, Seito Karate kata as well.
Finally!
Although it has taken over 150 years, it seems the current practice of crossing style, and "Ryu-ha" lines is no longer an issue. Many schools are now teaching kata from other systems and cross training with other arts. This was exactly what was happening in the old days in Okinawa. Sensei actually sent their students to other Sensei for instruction. They had no political agenda, they were simply there to learn Karate and/or Kobudo.......in a word....sharing knowledge.
OKAY I LIKE the Concept! How do I become a Member..........Your style of Karate only needs to be a legitimate method of karate, based on the Karate of Okinawa, or Japan, and one where you are teaching the original Kata as described by one of the original Karate Ryu-ha of Okinawa or Japan. There are a multitude of legitimate karate styles that qualify.
This could very well include the older Korean Karate methods derived from Tang Soo Do and Kong Soo Do. The kata are the same, though there are differences in performance. The same can now be said for the styles from Okinawa and Japan........each style has its own unique aspects. Tae Kwon Do does not fit in this group, although the Tang Soo Do and Kong Soo Do of mid 1900's Korea were a part of the beginnings of Tae Kwon do, they no longer resemble the original Karate any longer.
The kata you do, do not have to duplicate the Shiteigata, as these kata have been slightly altered for the sake of competition, and are no longer mandatory in any specific way. They should however follow the original 14 kata of Ankoh Itosu. The Pinan/Heian kata, the Naihanchi/Tekki kata, the Passai, Kusanku, and other advanced kata from Okinawa are those specifically required for our groups study.
If the karate you teach is what would be called "out of character" for a true, traditional method of Karate, then this organization is not for you.
We are not a Diploma Mill, nor will we ever become one. We are a truly legitimate, Karate Teacher's Association, based on Honor, Truth, and real Karate. We are supported by, and guided by some of the best Sensei in the World, all whom are Certified by legitimate Organizations in Japan and America, and some of the finest Organizations available.
We are here to share true Karate. We are also here to recognize your efforts, and to reward those efforts with the documented recognition you deserve.
If you are teacher of Karate, or a Style (Ryu) or Dojo Founder that has endeavored to keep your karate true to its roots, then yes this organization is not only for you, it can help you in many ways.
Based on the legitimate guidelines set forth by the likes of the Dai Nippon Butoku-kai, and the Kokusai Seito Karate Kenkyukai, if you are due a promotion based on time in grade, we can and will help in any way possible. While we will not simply "give" you Rank, if you already possess qualified, current ranking documents, you can be Certified at that grade without issue. You may qualiy for a merit Promotion if you can provide video representation of your Karate if requested by the Shihankai Board of Examiners.
We are a place for Teacher's, those Sensei of Karate-do and Karate-jutsu. We are also a provider of Rank credentials for both Students and Teachers. We do limit our credentials to 8th dan, as any person above that Rank should not need our services anyway. You might wish to share with others though, and can certainly become a leading member.
We do not issue Title Authority such as Renshi, Kyoshi, or Hanshi. There are only a handful of organizations in the World who can legitimately do that, so there must be substantial evidence provided in order for them to do so. I would recommend the Dai Nippon Butoku-kai in the first order.
We do recognize senior Sensei with qualifying Ranking Credentials, as "Shihan", for those who are described as teacher's of teacher's. Shihan is a title of huge respect within the Karate community. It is the result of many years of dedication to one's art and nothing less.
The Kokusai Karate-do Shihankai is also now accepting membership Worldwide, and welcomes all Karate Sensei 1st-3rd Dan, and Shihan 4th-8th Dan. The younger Sensei are here to learn in the best environment possible, and the Senior Sensei are here to share their experiences for all. Teaching Credentials should not be overlooked, and are just as important as Ranking Credentials.
Remember, we are all just humbly, Karate-ka, or students of Karate. Please join us, you will be glad you did.
Again our fees are simple, a one time only $45.00 joining fee which includes your International Registration and Certificate, and a Letter Of Recognition for your Service to Karate-do.
Of great interest is that should you find that Seito Karate-do is important to you in a greater depth, we will introduce you to the ISKK, or the Kokusai Seito Karate-do Kenkyukai, which is a Study Group halfway into its second decade of sharing and support for Seito Karate-do practitioners, in several Continents across the globe.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ISKKmembers
The best way to join the Shihankai is through the Regular Mail..... just send your Order Requirements and a Check, or Postal Money Order here to the Dojo, and we will process and ship your order ASAP.
Shihan Bud Morgan, 1432 Whitburn Avenue, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28304
or You may contact me at budddogg33@aol.com for further information as well.
Shihan Bud Morgan
7th dan, International Certifying Official
Kokusai Karate-do Shihankai
Member:
ISKK Shihankai, 7th dan/Kyoshi
Kokusai Shotoshinkai Karate-do Kenkyukai (Kaicho)
Dai Nippon Butoku-kai (International Division) Member #5294
Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujutsu Federation
Okinawa Kobukan Kenpo Kobujutsu Federation
Kokusai Shotoshinkai Karate-do Kyokai (Kaicho)
International Society of Okinawan/Japanese Karate-do
