Karate after World War II

It was only after World War II that karate really became known in the West. The Americans had a large base on Okinawa and in the post war years many servicemen began learning this unusual form of fighting known as karate.

When they returned home karate slowly became known throughout the USA and, with the help of various masters from both Okinawa and Japan, began to spread. Karate was first introduced to Europe in the mid 1960s. Since then it has become very popular with all types of people, both young and old.

Many so-called “styles” now exist but, as outlined above, they all originate from Masters Itosu and Higaonna in Okinawa and their students who later taught in Japan.

1948 - Shukokai Honbu Dojo - Chojiro TaniWe are very privileged to belong to the World Shito-Ryu Shukokai Union. Our World Chief Instructor is soke Haruyoshi Yamada 10th Dan, Hanshi. Yamada Sensei was the senior student of the late Chojiro Tani who formed the “Shukokai” (‘Way for All‘ association).

Tani Sensei himself was a direct student of Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Shito-Ryu! Very few associations outside Japan have direct links with Japan and the traditional teachings of the original Okinawan Masters. We are fortunate to be in that rare group and that the karate we study is as near to the original form as is possible.