“VICTORY ITSELF IS NOT THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF TRADITIONAL KARATE”

As the original karate, traditional karate evolved from Japan and is a culmination of martial arts philosophy and technical basis of karate-do and is based on the concept of the “finishing blow” a technique sufficient to destroy an opponent.

Karate is not a game of points, weight classes or showy demonstrations and as a self-defense art the size of the opponent is not known nor is it relevant. For this reason there is great emphasis on self-defense principles that demand preparation for defense against any opponent regardless of size.

As a competitive art, competition is a means to further train and enhance human development by improving emotional stability, mental discipline and proper etiquette. During competition, everything is based upon the art of self-defense with the principle that a finishing blow offers no second chance, therefore, traditional karate competitions are single point matches minimizing the use of careless actions and sloppy techniques.

Since the 1950s there have been varying different organizations formed throughout the word including the U.S.A  who promoted and practiced the art of  Shotokan with affiliation to JKA Headquarters in Tokyo Japan.  As time passed practitioners within these different organizations fragmented and started their own organizations and on and on  adding confussion on who is who and who they are affiliated with.  This also happened with founders of original organizations with some disassociating from JKA Headquarters. 

The JKA is the world's largest and most prestigious organization and foremost authority on karate.  JKA karate is a unique refinement of the Shotokan style  and is recognized as heir to Shotokan karate tradition and is the only legal karate entity officially approved by the Japanese government. 

As mentioned earlier there are several different organizations that practice the style of Shotokan karate with no affiliation to JKA.  To belong to a particular organization is a matter of personal preference for practitioners.  However,  affiliation with the JKA lends authenticity and direct lineage to the roots of Master Funakoshi since the JKA is the only heir to Shotokan tradition.  In the United States there are three representatives who are affiliated with the JKA: Mr. Mori Masataka--JKA of New York, JKA/WF America --c/o Yasuaki Nagatomo, New Mexico, and JKA American Federation--Mr. Mikami Takayuki, Louisiana.

Here in San Antonio, we continue to promote Traditional Karate in the style of Shotokan. We’re affiliated with Japan Karate Association (JKA) and Japan Karate Association American Federation (JKAAF).