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Soke Chojiro Tani (1921 - 1998)
Shukokai Karate-Do, a style famous for its hard hitting techniques and scientific approach to body kinetics. Shukokai, which roughly translated means "Way For All", descends directly from it's parent style, i.e. Shito-ryu Karate. Shukokai was the brainchild of Sensei Chojiro Tani (1921 ~ 1998), who developed the style in 1949. Sensei Tani studied Goju-ryu karate for around a decade or so until meeting Sensei Kenwa Mabuni, the famous Shito-ryu Master.
Sensei Tani became a keen disciple of this fast and fluid style and when Sensei Mabuni passed away, the Diploma of Inheritance passed onto Sensei Tani.
Sensei Tani sought to perfect his style and develop techniques which could be delivered with maximum efficiency. He was fascinated with the science of body mechanics and movement, and after much experimenting and comprehensive study he re-designed the Shito-ryu kicking and punching methods to maximise the benefit from plyometric (elastic property) contraction of the muscles. The hip movement was emphasised and Shukokai's famous double "hip twist" for executing strikes was developed, giving the style it's explosive power. Impact pads were introduced to help the Shukokai stylists enhance their power.
Sensei Tani sent forward three of his top instructors, Kimura, Nambu and Suzuki Sensei. These three instructors have developed World recognition and respect of the style.
The theories behind Shukokai are somewhat complex and it takes a lifetime of study to truly understand the art. It is a system of combat which seeks perfection and therefore demands continuous study.
Shihan Shigeru Kimura (1941 - 1995)
Shigeru Kimura was born in Kobe, Japan on 2 March 1941. He began Karate at the age of 16 as a student of Sensei Chojiro Tani (1921-1998). At the age of 21, Kimura won the All Japan Kumite Championship and then repeated this achievement a year later. After this great success, he retired from competing in tournaments to dedicate himself to the refinement and evolution of Shukokai Karate.
Sensei Shigeru Kimura left Japan in 1965 to teach Shukokai in Africa. He developed Shukokai even further, emphasising its power and strength; and was regarded as an expert on the style. He continued to teach after travelling to Europe, before settling in the United States in 1970 at the age of 29 and creating the first Shukokai World Tournament in 1981.
On his continuous search for more power and speed, Shigeru Kimura reached a level of understanding of body dynamics and mechanics as did no other.
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Shukokai Karate-Do in Scotland
Shihan Tommy Morris (8th Dan), Scotland's first karate black belt, is the acknowledged founder of organised karate in Scotland. He first became interest in the martial arts during his teenage years. Shihan Morris studied a variety of martial arts and karate styles before being introduced to Shukokai karate in 1967 during a visit to the dojo of Sensei Chojiro Tani in Kobe, Japan. Shihan Morris described Shukokai as apparently having everything that other styles did not:
- it was aesthetic
- it looked how he believed karate should look
- it was powerful
- it had traditional roots
- it was realistic and powerful
It was during his visit to Sensei Tani's dojo that Shihan Morris met Sensei Shigeru Kimura and recognised immediately that he was one of the world's great karate instructors. Shihan Tommy Morris is responsible for introducing and developing Shukokai Karate in Scotland. The majority, if not all, of the Shukokai Karate clubs with Scottish origins can trace their roots back to Shihan Morris.
Shihan Tommy Morris is Chief Instructor of the Kobe Osaka International and former chairman of the World Karate Federation Referee Council and Sports Commission. In recognition of the role played by Shihan Tommy Morris in relation to revolutionising the rules of Sport Karate, the World Karate Federation (WKF) awarded him the grade of 8th Dan.
Sensei Graham McCann joined the Kobe Osaka Karate-Do Renmei in August 1974, and trained under Shihan Morris until 1988. Shihan Morris awarded Sensei McCann, then aged 15, his Black Belt 1st Dan on the 19th June 1982.
