Month: July 2014

JKA Instructors:Passing on the Tradition

JKA Instructors

JKA Instructors:Passing on the Tradition One of the key strengths of the JKA is its method of teaching. All our instructors are dedicated, full-time staff trained specifically to teach karate. Each instructor completes an extensive specialist instructor training program and undergoes rigorous evaluation and testing before being granted his or her instructor qualifications. This unique …

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Master Sugiura Motokuni

Sugiura

Master Sugiura Motokuni A Lifetime of Devotion to Karate Master Sugiura Motokuni was born on Oct 4, 1924 in Aichi Prefecture. His karate career began in his youth, when he became a student of Shotokan karate. At university he studied under Supreme Master Funakoshi Gichin, and especially with Funakoshi’s second son Yoshitaka. He attained his …

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Master Nakayama Masatoshi (1913-1987)

Nakayama

Master Nakayama Masatoshi (1913-1987) Carrying On the Spirit and Tradition of Funakoshi Gichin’s Work Master Nakayama Masatoshi had martial arts in his blood. Born in April 1913 in Yamaguchi Prefecture, he was a descendant of the Sanada clan, in the Nagano region. His ancestors were highly-skilled instructors of kenjutsu (the art of swordsmanship). Upon entering Takushoku University …

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Supreme Master Funakoshi Gichin (1868-1957)

Funakoshi

The Father of Modern Karate Funakoshi Gichin was born on Nov 10, 1868 in Yamakawa, Shuri, Okinawa Prefecture. He was of samurai lineage, from a family which in former times had been vassals of Ryukyu Dynasty nobles. By age 11 he had already made a name for himself in Ryukyu-style martial arts. Beginning his training …

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