HISTORY
A Brief History of the Japan Karate Association Originally, the martial art Te (“Hand”) developed in Okinawa as a system of self-defense. Due to Okinawa’s frequent contact and exchange with China, it is certain that the Okinawan martial art was influenced by Chinese kempo at some point during it de-
velopment. However, with only oral tradition and no formal contemporary written records, it is not certain exactly when the art called Kara-Te first emerged in Okinawa. It is believed that it developed roughly 500 years ago, when the dynastic ruler King Shoha unified the region after dec-
ades of warfare and issued an edict banning the possession of weapons on the island. According to conven-
tional accounts, a similar law for-
bidding the possession or use of weapons was re-issued and enforced by the Satsuma clan, who had invaded Okinawa in the early 1600’s and brought it under the rule of the Japanese Shogunate. It is believed that in this environment karate developed as a form of unarmed combat for protecting oneself and one’s country, and it was taught and practiced in secret.
Then came the birth in 1868 of Okinawan karate master Funakoshi Gichin. He dedicated his whole life to promoting the values of the art, and introduced the way of karate- jutsu to Japan, where it spread across the country. By 1949, his followers had established an association for the promotion of karate; they called it Nihon Karate Kyokai, or Japan Karate Association. It was the beginning of the JKA…
More on the history of the JKA:
The Early Years (1949-1957)The JKA was founded in May, 1949. By 1955, the first headquarters dojo had been built at Yotsuya in Tokyo, and the first JKA Chairman had been appointed: Saigo Kichinosuke, member of the upper house of the Japa-
nese Diet and grandson of Saigo Takamori, one of the greatest heroes of Meiji Japan. In 1956, the JKA set up the first-ever karate specialist instruc-
tor intern (kenshusei) training program at the headquarters dojo, and accepted its first round of trainees. This was the start of the finest karate instructor training program ever created, a program never matched or even approached by any other karate organization. It is through this pro-
gram that the JKA has built up its unique cadre of distinguished karate instructors, all full-time salaried professionals— whose numbers are consistently maintained at roughly twenty individuals.
On April 10, 1957, the JKA became a legal entity when Japan’s Ministry of Education (now Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture) officially recognized the JKA as an association of members for the pro-
motion of karate and the spread and enrichment of actual karate practice. Twelve years later, another karate organization was also given legal status, based not on membership but on contribution by an individual foundation, mainly for the purpose of arranging karate matches.
Roughly two weeks after official status was granted, Supreme Master Funakoshi passed away at the age of 89. After almost a decade of milestones, it was the end of an era. But the real growth of karate
was yet to come. May 1949 JKA formed under Supreme Master Funakoshi Gichin Mar 20, 1955 First JKA headquarters dojo established at Yotsuya Mar 22, 1955 Saigo Kichinosuke becomes first JKA Chairman Apr 1, 1956 First ever karate specialist instructor training program established at headquarters dojo Apr 10, 1957 JKA officially recognized by Japanese government; becomes legal entity Apr 26, 1957 Supreme Master Funakoshi passes away (age 89)
Overcoming Challenges (1990-1999) In 1990, the JKA was rocked by crisis when a faction within the organi-
zation seized the JKA’s official status. The group called an extraordinary General Assembly meeting, but did not identify the agenda or state the purpose as legally required. After this unlawful meeting, the faction suc-
ceeded in illegally changing the official executive register. Thus began a long period of litigation.
Despite this, the JKA continued to progress. The overwhelming majority of members and instructors remained loyal to the original and true JKA. Then Master Sugiura Motokuni was appointed to the position of Chief Instructor in 1991. Together with Chairman Nakahara, they began initiating a return to the true spirit of karate—just when that spirit was needed most.
In 1994, the JKA published the first in a series of five authoritative text-books on kata. This series quickly became the “bible” of karate kata.
Then came the court rulings. In 1995, as members had long expected, the JKA won the case in Tokyo Local Court. In 1998, it won again in Tokyo Higher Court. Then in June 1999, the Japan Supreme Court rejected the appeal of the seceded group, and the case was closed once and for all. As a result, the legal executive register was restored to the state it was in before the faction had so forcefully changed it.
In the end, the JKA had not only weathered the challenge, but had grown stronger because of it. It had gained more internal cohesion and a stronger sense of identity than ever before. Jun 10, 1990 Litigation begins over official register Apr 1, 1991 Master Sugiura Motokuni becomes Chief Instructor Feb 20, 1993 JKA headquarters dojo moves to Ebisu Oct 30, 1994 JKA publishes textbook on kata. Gradually expanded to five volume series Jan 19, 1995 Tokyo Local Court rules in favor of JKA Oct 29, 1998 Tokyo Higher Court rules in favor of JKA Jun 10, 1999 JKA wins the case in Japan Supreme Court; official recognition restored
The JKA Leaps Forward into the 21st Century (2000 to present) With its legal status restored by court rulings, the JKA leapt into the 21st Century. It restructured its internal organization, and also reorganized its financial base.
In December 2000, it purchased land and established a brand new headquarters and dojo in the center of Tokyo. This was the first time the JKA had owned its own land and building. The grand opening ceremony was held in May 2001, attended by numerous dignitaries and many members from other karate organizations.
With renewed vigor, the JKA repositioned itself, clearly defining itself as ‘The Keeper of Karate’s Highest Tradition.’ In 2004, it launched a new official website, through which it continues, as always, to promote true karate around the world. Dec 22, 2000 New JKA headquarters dojo built in Bunkyo-ku, Iidabashi, Omagari May 19, 2001 Opening ceremony for new JKA headquarters dojo Aug 2004 JKA launches new official website as "Keeper of Karate's Highest Tradition"
A Brief History of the Japan Karate Association Originally, the martial art Te (“Hand”) developed in Okinawa as a system of self-defense. Due to Okinawa’s frequent contact and exchange with China, it is certain that the Okinawan martial art was influenced by Chinese kempo at some point during it de-
velopment. However, with only oral tradition and no formal contemporary written records, it is not certain exactly when the art called Kara-Te first emerged in Okinawa. It is believed that it developed roughly 500 years ago, when the dynastic ruler King Shoha unified the region after dec-
ades of warfare and issued an edict banning the possession of weapons on the island. According to conven-
tional accounts, a similar law for-
bidding the possession or use of weapons was re-issued and enforced by the Satsuma clan, who had invaded Okinawa in the early 1600’s and brought it under the rule of the Japanese Shogunate. It is believed that in this environment karate developed as a form of unarmed combat for protecting oneself and one’s country, and it was taught and practiced in secret.
Then came the birth in 1868 of Okinawan karate master Funakoshi Gichin. He dedicated his whole life to promoting the values of the art, and introduced the way of karate- jutsu to Japan, where it spread across the country. By 1949, his followers had established an association for the promotion of karate; they called it Nihon Karate Kyokai, or Japan Karate Association. It was the beginning of the JKA…
More on the history of the JKA:
The Early Years (1949-1957)The JKA was founded in May, 1949. By 1955, the first headquarters dojo had been built at Yotsuya in Tokyo, and the first JKA Chairman had been appointed: Saigo Kichinosuke, member of the upper house of the Japa-
nese Diet and grandson of Saigo Takamori, one of the greatest heroes of Meiji Japan. In 1956, the JKA set up the first-ever karate specialist instruc-
tor intern (kenshusei) training program at the headquarters dojo, and accepted its first round of trainees. This was the start of the finest karate instructor training program ever created, a program never matched or even approached by any other karate organization. It is through this pro-
gram that the JKA has built up its unique cadre of distinguished karate instructors, all full-time salaried professionals— whose numbers are consistently maintained at roughly twenty individuals.
On April 10, 1957, the JKA became a legal entity when Japan’s Ministry of Education (now Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture) officially recognized the JKA as an association of members for the pro-
motion of karate and the spread and enrichment of actual karate practice. Twelve years later, another karate organization was also given legal status, based not on membership but on contribution by an individual foundation, mainly for the purpose of arranging karate matches.
Roughly two weeks after official status was granted, Supreme Master Funakoshi passed away at the age of 89. After almost a decade of milestones, it was the end of an era. But the real growth of karate
was yet to come. May 1949 JKA formed under Supreme Master Funakoshi Gichin Mar 20, 1955 First JKA headquarters dojo established at Yotsuya Mar 22, 1955 Saigo Kichinosuke becomes first JKA Chairman Apr 1, 1956 First ever karate specialist instructor training program established at headquarters dojo Apr 10, 1957 JKA officially recognized by Japanese government; becomes legal entity Apr 26, 1957 Supreme Master Funakoshi passes away (age 89)
Overcoming Challenges (1990-1999) In 1990, the JKA was rocked by crisis when a faction within the organi-
zation seized the JKA’s official status. The group called an extraordinary General Assembly meeting, but did not identify the agenda or state the purpose as legally required. After this unlawful meeting, the faction suc-
ceeded in illegally changing the official executive register. Thus began a long period of litigation.
Despite this, the JKA continued to progress. The overwhelming majority of members and instructors remained loyal to the original and true JKA. Then Master Sugiura Motokuni was appointed to the position of Chief Instructor in 1991. Together with Chairman Nakahara, they began initiating a return to the true spirit of karate—just when that spirit was needed most.
In 1994, the JKA published the first in a series of five authoritative text-books on kata. This series quickly became the “bible” of karate kata.
Then came the court rulings. In 1995, as members had long expected, the JKA won the case in Tokyo Local Court. In 1998, it won again in Tokyo Higher Court. Then in June 1999, the Japan Supreme Court rejected the appeal of the seceded group, and the case was closed once and for all. As a result, the legal executive register was restored to the state it was in before the faction had so forcefully changed it.
In the end, the JKA had not only weathered the challenge, but had grown stronger because of it. It had gained more internal cohesion and a stronger sense of identity than ever before. Jun 10, 1990 Litigation begins over official register Apr 1, 1991 Master Sugiura Motokuni becomes Chief Instructor Feb 20, 1993 JKA headquarters dojo moves to Ebisu Oct 30, 1994 JKA publishes textbook on kata. Gradually expanded to five volume series Jan 19, 1995 Tokyo Local Court rules in favor of JKA Oct 29, 1998 Tokyo Higher Court rules in favor of JKA Jun 10, 1999 JKA wins the case in Japan Supreme Court; official recognition restored
The JKA Leaps Forward into the 21st Century (2000 to present) With its legal status restored by court rulings, the JKA leapt into the 21st Century. It restructured its internal organization, and also reorganized its financial base.
In December 2000, it purchased land and established a brand new headquarters and dojo in the center of Tokyo. This was the first time the JKA had owned its own land and building. The grand opening ceremony was held in May 2001, attended by numerous dignitaries and many members from other karate organizations.
With renewed vigor, the JKA repositioned itself, clearly defining itself as ‘The Keeper of Karate’s Highest Tradition.’ In 2004, it launched a new official website, through which it continues, as always, to promote true karate around the world. Dec 22, 2000 New JKA headquarters dojo built in Bunkyo-ku, Iidabashi, Omagari May 19, 2001 Opening ceremony for new JKA headquarters dojo Aug 2004 JKA launches new official website as "Keeper of Karate's Highest Tradition"