Affiliation JKAE

About Japan Karate Association England - JKAE

Japan Karate Association England (“JKAE”) is a non-profit making association based in England and Wales and is associated with the Japan Karate Association (“JKA”) in Japan, one of the most prestigious, oldest and largest Shotokan Karate organisations in the world.

Under the guidance of the Chief Instructor, Sensei Yoshinobu Ohta (7th Dan) and the Executive and Technical Committees provide the administrative and practical direction to JKA England.

Who Are The JKA?

The Japan Karate Association (JKA), is the world’s largest and most prestigious karate organization. Their mission is to promote the way of karate throughout the world while ensuring that it remains true to the philosophical precepts since the establishment of the JKA in 1949. The Association in England and Wales is JKAE England (JKAE) and through our Chief instructor, Sensei Ohta (7th Dan), we continue to be strongly affiliated with the JKA in Japan. This bond is reinforced by regular visits by world-leading instructors from Japan who instruct at our International Courses held in May and September each year.

What Sort of Karate does the JKA Teach?

The JKA is the generally recognised heir to the Shotokan karate tradition as developed by Supreme Master Funakoshi Gichin, and teaches a specially-refined form of Shotokan style karate.

Shotokan karate is one of the most widely practised forms of karate in the world today, and one of the most traditional. Introduced to Japan from Okinawa by Supreme Master Funakoshi Gichin, Shotokan puts a heavy focus on Kihon (basic techniques), kata (forms), and Kumite (sparring) to develop a range of powerful and dynamic techniques.

Karate is a form of unarmed combat employing a wide range of punching and kicking techniques. There are no weapons involved in practising karate and the term “karate” literally means “empty hand” where only hands and feet are used for blocking and striking.

There are many distinctive styles of karate with their characteristics such as emphasizing speed, power and hip rotation while other styles concentrate on competitions, self-defence or various applications of techniques. Through hard training and practice, karate develops not only the body but also the mind and character.