Shitoryu Shukokai Union Australia, located in Brisbane, Queensland, is a dynamic and successful Karate school that is part of the worldwide acting organisation, the Shito-Ryu Shukokai Karatedo Union. The school has deep Japanese roots, particularly centred around the universities of Osaka and Kyoto, where students established the fast and powerful Shukokai style. The brainchild of TANI Chojiro sensei, Shukokai combines the dynamics and speed of Shito-Ryu with the power and strength of Goju-Ryu.
Tani sensei, a devoted disciple of Shito-Ryu Master MABUNI Kenwa sensei, opened his own school in 1948. Fascinated with the science of body mechanics and movement, he re-designed the kicking and punching methods of Shito-Ryu to optimise the plyometric (elastic property) contraction of muscles. The famous double hip movement for executing strikes was developed, giving Shukokai its explosive power. Impact pads were also introduced to enhance power.
After the passing of Tani Sensei in 1998, YAMADA Haruyoshi sensei took over the leadership of the Shukokai organisation. Born in 1938 in Akita prefecture, he initially studied Judo before becoming involved in Karate. Yamada sensei was one of the top ranking pupils of Tani sensei and was highly involved in the Japan Karate Federation and the Japanese Olympic Committee. Unfortunately, Yamada sensei passed away in Amagasaki in 2018.
The current head of the Shitoryu Shukokai Union is Yazu Kaicho. In 2002, the Shito-Ryu Shukokai Union Oceania was re-organised, with its headquarters located in Brisbane. Stephen Kelly, Kyoshi, 8th Dan, serves as the Chief instructor. The Union has member countries throughout Europe, America, and Asia.
Regular visits to Japan are organised for training and competing alongside Japanese masters and friends from around the world. Stephen's long-time personal instructor, Ishitobi Hanshi, 9th Dan, regularly visits Australia to share his knowledge.
The mission of the Shito-Ryu Shukokai Union Oceania is to promote Shito-Ryu Shukokai Karate-do within the Oceania region under the guidance of world chief instructor, Yazu Kaicho, and Ishitobi Hanshi. The Union seeks to maintain the roots and traditions of Shito-Ryu while advancing the teachings of Shukokai, the faction founded by Chojiro Tani in 1948. Emphasising efficiency, Tani sought to perfect his Karate by studying the mechanics of the human body and developing techniques that could be delivered with maximum efficiency.
The Shitoryu Shukokai Union Oceania aims to create an organisation free of trivial politics and ego for the betterment of Karate. They invite all interested individuals and groups to learn more about them. Instructors and clubs in Australia can now affiliate with Shitoryu Shukokai Union Oceania Karate, a part of the world Shito-Ryu Shukokai Karate Union based in Osaka. For more information on membership, individuals can contact Stephen at stephen@kansaikarate.
com. au.
Some affiliated Oceania members of the union include Kansai Karate (Queensland), Traditional Karate (Victoria), Shukokai Dojos, Australian Shukokai Karate, Sendaiclub, Senshi Karate Schools, Martial Arts Gym, Ippon Karate, and Kando Martial Arts.