The “Shukokai” style of Karate was developed after the Second World War by Master Chojiro Tani in Kobi, Japan. The goal of this new style was to study the mechanics of the human body and maximize the efficiency of each movement by carefully refining each technique. Above all things, Shukokai Karate seeks perfection in form, body and mind. Continuous study and a lifetime of dedication are required to truly master the form.

Shukokai Karate arrived in the UK in the early 1970s in the hands of Sensei Shigiru Kimura. Sensei Kimura began training with Master Tani in 1957 at the age of 16, and won back-to-back All Japan Championships before leaving Japan in 1965 to travel Africa. After brief stays in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, Kimura played a large part in developing the karate community in South Africa- training instructors and providing them with the direction needed to build successful schools.

Later Kimura would go on to open a Shukokai Headquarters in the USA, and in 1978 became one of the youngest ever to attain 7th Dan in an acknowledged Style. Eventually Kimura’s style of Shukokai began to differ from Master Tani’s style, and became its own branch known as “Kimura’s Shukokai”, a defining term that is still used today. By 1991, Kimura’s Shukokai was being taught in 14 countries and studied by more than 20,000 students. In the years since, this tally has continued to increase by leaps and bounds, making Shukokai an established force world-wide.

Sensei Kimura continued in his dedication to the art until his sudden death from a heart attack in 1994.

As with all other styles of modern Karate, including Shotokan, Wado Ryu and any number of other sub-styles, Shukokai karate builds on the original methods of “empty hand” fighting developed in Okinawa, Japan in the early 17th Century. During that time, citizens of Okinawa were banned from carrying weapons. In order to defend themselves, the residents of the island developed their own unique system of unarmed combat that has evolved into the “Karate” we know today.

In addition to purely unarmed fighting techniques, many improvised weapons techniques evolved to use common every-day items and tools for self-defence. Examples of these items included small farming sickles, rice flails and wooden walking staffs, all of which could become effective and deadly weapons if handled with discipline.