18-08-2011

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About KDS

The KDS is an organisation committed to practicing and teaching Karate-do as taught by Master Mitsusuke Harada and the style is open to anyone with a genuine interest in learning karate..

The KDS was established in 1965 by Mitsusuke Harada. With his own organisation now formed, Master Harada distanced his organisation from the many political wranglings of other martial arts groups at that time. Harada Sensei, as he is referred to by his students; could now focus on the KDS, without outside influence. Therefore concentrating on the true essence of Karate-do, it's practice.

Karate is a form of self defence that does not rely on using any weapons. Karate just trains you to defend yourself using your own body movement. It is fun to learn and regular training improves your fitness and flexibility as well as your concentration and dexterity.

Master Harada was awarded a 5th Dan (1956) personally by Gichin Funakoshi (O'Sensei) the founder of modern day Karate-do on mainland Japan. Master Harada has sought no higher grade since then. The grade of 5th Dan is the highest award given by the KDS. A tradition which was inherited from O'Sensei who accepted no higher than this.

The KDS as an organisation, is non-profit making. Monies are channeled back into the organisation for the betterment of its members.

The name "Shotokai" means Shoto's group (Shoto being the pen name of Gichin Funakoshi).

The Shotokai were officially formed by the Funakoshi family, in order to, take care of Gichin Funakoshi's funeral arrangements. It contained his closest and most senior students, to whom he trusted the continual development of his Shotokan Karate.

As a result of political and personal disputes after the passing of O'Sensei, the Shotokai remained as a group that taught and developed Karate-do, as Gichin Funakoshi had intended.

As a result, Shotokai has not embraced the sport or competition developments that have occurred in recent decades. Instead they have remained true to the original teachings of Karate-do, as O'Sensei wished.

Notable founder members of the Shotokai were seniors Shigeru Egami chief instructor at the Shotokan Dojo and Genshin Hironishi president of the Shotokai. At this time Master Harada was pioneering Shotokan Karate in Brazil. Due to close links with all three of the afore mentioned Masters he therefore naturally, became a member of the Shotokai from this time forth.

In 1965 Master Harada formed the KDS in order to teach orthodox Shotokan Karate as he had developed it, without political or technical influence from other groups.

You may begin to learn karate for a variety of different reasons: for self defence, to meet new people, keep fit or to find a stimulating new activity.

Our training methods are exciting and innovative and concentrate on learning correct form, movement, timing, distance, how to use your whole body and developing the correct body condition. You will find the classes and the instructors informal and friendly. Our style of karate can help you to relax and become more aware of your body and your environment. These ideas when correctly applied enable people of both sexes and all builds to practise karate and gain physical benefits as well as immense satisfaction from training.

Thank you for your interest in studying Karate with the Karate-Do Shotokai (KDS).

We hope that this web site will help you to answer some of the questions that you will be asking yourself.

Why KDS?

KDS is suitable for men and women and you don't have to be fit to begin, in fact many people start as a means of getting fit. All clubs have friendly and approachable instructors and interactive environments are encouraged in practice sessions.

Fitness

Since KDS emphasises mobility, co-ordination and balance with a relaxed body condition, this particular style of Karate can be practised by anyone regardless of age, build or sex. However during the warm-up, practice can involve relatively strenuous activity. If there is any doubt about your ability to perform such exercise then the instructor can tailor the warm-up and set of practices to suit your needs.

How does KDS differ from other karate styles?

There are many karate styles to choose from and certain styles suit different people. In KDS there is great emphasis in developing the correct relaxed body condition and the ability to move, in order to avoid or anticipate attacks and also to deliver the maximum power in techniques. Perhaps the best way to see if KDS appeals to you is to come along to a practice and try it out.

Do you enter competitions?

KDS is a traditional martial art and does not enter competition. This is because we believe that competition is against the true spirit of martial arts and also extremely ineffective in actually teaching you how to fight. Our practice does however involve sparring, but at an appropriate level for a given individual's experience.