About

KUGATSU KARATE-DO

Teaching Shukokai Karate in Glasgow since 1995

OUR CLUB

The Kugatsu Karate-Do, part of the Karate Fun family, was established in 1995 and is a thriving Karate club with over 150 students based in the west end of Glasgow, teaching Shukokai Karate to students of all ages and abilities.

Our Chief Instructor, Shihan Graham McCann (6th Dan), started his karate career in 1974 at the world-famous Kobe Osaka Karate-Do Renmei.  Graham is a national level coach, the Head of Shuko-Kai International in Scotland and European Karate Federation Judge (retired) with over 30 years of experience in teaching karate to students of all ages and abilities.

Our classes are well structured; following a realistic but challenging syllabus that encourages all our students to do their best and progress through the belt system.

There are numerous opportunities to meet and make new friends as well as to participate in a wide variety of fun and competitive activities.  Karate promotes overall confidence, self-respect, physical and mental wellbeing, concentration and independence.  The kicking and punching of pads as well as the fun orientated physical activities, within a safe and supportive environment, are great for reducing emotional stress.  Karate helps children to be able to learn positive life skills early in their development as well helping them to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.

The Kugatsu Karate-Do is a member of the Scottish Karate Governing Body, Shuko-Kai International and is a founding member of our association in Scotland; KKD Shukokai.

OUR CHIEF INSTRUCTOR


Shihan Graham McCann, 6th Dan


IIn August 1974, as an enthusiastic eight year old, Graham followed in his father's footsteps and joined the world famous Kobe Osaka Karate-Do Renmei.  It was there that Graham was introduced to Shukokai Karate by Shihan Tommy Morris (8th Dan), Scotland's first karate black belt and often referred to as "the father of Scottish Karate". Whilst at the Kobe Osaka, Graham had the pleasure of training and grading with Sensei Shigeru Kimura during his regular visits to Glasgow in the 1970's and 1980's.


Graham was promoted to Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt) by Shihan Morris in June 1982 when he was 15 years old. At the time, apart from Shihan Morris's son Steven, Graham was the youngest member of the Kobe Osaka ever to be promoted to black belt. 


Since 2011, Graham has been training under the guidance and support of Soke Kunio Miyake (8th Dan), the founder and President of Shuko-Kai International. 


Dan grading history 

  • Shodan (1st Dan) awarded in 1982 by the Kobe Osaka Karate-Do Renmei 
  • Nidan (2nd Dan) awarded in 1993 by the Tosa-Kochi Karate-Do 
  • Sandan (3rd Dan) awarded in 1996 by the British All Styles Karate Association 
  • Yondan (4th Dan) awarded in 2002 by the British All Styles Karate Association
  • Godan (5th Dan) awarded in 2008 by the British All Styles Karate Association (ratified by Shihan Kunio Miyake, 8th Dan, Shuko-Kai International 2010)
  • Rokudan (6th Dan) awarded in 2014 by Karate Kai Scotland (ratified by Soke Kunio Miyake, 8th Dan, Shuko-Kai International 2016)

Qualifications 


Graham is a Scottish Karate Governing Body (SKGB) Level 3 Coach, the chairperson of KKD Shukokai and the chief instructor of the Kugatsu Karate-Do.  He is also a retired European Karate Federation Kata Judge and British Karate Federation Kumite Referee.


Graham is a qualified Social Worker (retired) and in addition to teaching karate at the Kugatsu Karate-Do he also regularly runs Karate Fun sessions for Active Schools, Glasgow Sport, Glasgow Disability Alliance and other organisations across west, central Scotland.


Graham can be contacted by email or phone +44 (0)7885 954 223
OUR STUDENTS

We welcome students of all ages and abilities.  Providing that you are of school age or older (there is no upper limit) and there are no medical or other reasons why you should not participate in a karate class then why not give it a go.

New members are welcome to join us throughout the year: we do not have classes specifically for beginners.  All new members are welcome to join in all of our classes where the activities will be tailored to meet the individual needs of the students participating.  One of the central aims of the Kugatsu Karate-Do is that students train because they want to and because they enjoy it – not because they are forced to attend.

We constantly aim to create an atmosphere where students feel that they can contribute to the running of the club (by providing constructive feedback), where they feel supported and where they feel that they are part of the Kugatsu Karate-Do.  

At the Kugatsu Karate-Do, students are offered the opportunity to train in both Traditional Shukokai Karate and Sport Karate. It should be noted, that there is no expectation that students participate in Sport Karate, i.e. competition karate.

The Kugatsu Karate-Do implements the Scottish Karate Governing Body Child Protection Policy. 

KARATE FUN

The Kugatsu Karate-Do is part of the Karate Fun family.

Karate Fun aims to encourage children, young people and adults of all ages and abilities to become more physically active and to improve their mental, emotional and physical well-being through the martial art / sport of Karate using a variety of new, exciting and fun products and services.

Building upon our existing areas of expertise we are developing and providing a range of physical activity services (i.e. karate coaching, self-defence classes, and fitness classes) and a variety of products aimed at promoting karate as a fun and exciting activity for children, young people and adults alike.  

Our services and products are available to martial arts organisations, local authorities, health boards and other interested parties, both nationally and internationally. 
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