JIKC

Japan International Karate-Ki Center is a traditional style of Japanese martial arts whose roots are founded in Wado-ryu karate-do. The system incorporates a significant portion of Shotokan karate, while also infusing elements of Shito-ryu karate and Goju-ryu karate.

The founder of the JIKC is Soke Kiyohisa Hirano. He has more than 50 years of experience in Karate and other martial arts. Born in Yokohama, Japan, he studied martial arts when many of the original Japanese Masters and their immediate successors were still alive. He studied with Master Hironori Ohtsuka, the founder of Wado-ryu. He was the 1960 winner of the All Japan Karate Championship, the only national All Japan Intercollegiate Kumite Championship which featured different karate styles.

In 1962 Soke Hirano moved to Hawaii and shortly thereafter established JIKC. It spread throughout the United States and is taught internationally. Currently Soke Hirano heads the organization from the JIKC Honolulu Dojo, located at the Chinese Cultural Plaza, Honolulu, Hawaii.

The method of practice is through physical repetition and the establishment of values through karate-do. The lessons are organized by basic individual forms (kihon waza), prearranged combination (kata), and sparring (kumite). Training groups can be grouped by age and experience, or for purposes of competition. Individuals interested in specific application such as self-defense may arrange this with their instructor. Advancement is acknowledged by examination, competition and the instructor’s observations. Subject to location, training is available every day of the week.

The official name of the JIKC style of karate is Heiwa-do. Taken from the kanji for Hirano and Wado-ryu initially, it also serendipitously means "The Way of Peace".

Rankings

All beginners start out at white belt, which does not have any particular kyu rank association. Systems may vary slightly, but in general, the Heiwa-do system uses:

* Yellow (up to 8th kyu)
* Orange (7th kyu)
* Purple (6th kyu)
* Green (5th kyu)
* Blue (4th kyu)
* Brown (3rd through 1st kyu)

Some schools might use a brown belt with a black stripe to indicate a more advanced ranking (pre-shodan).

1st kyu brown belts, upon showing that they meet the criteria for testing, are eligible to test for their first black belt rank (shodan).

The black belt rankings go from first (shodan) through tenth (judan) dan, with six intermediate step rankings (kyotei) between shodan and nidan, as well as nidan and sandan rankings.

Those who hold 4th or 5th dan rankings, and have demonstrated leadership and dedication, can be eligible, to test for a Renshi title. Those who are 6th dan or higher, and have demonstrated having met the requirements, can be eligible to test for a Hanshi title.

There are only two who can hold a Shihan title, currently held by Kiyohisa Hirano, and Ronald Woodard.

Kata

The Heiwa-do style, much like many other Japanese and Okinawan Karate styles, has a set of three basic kata that are taught at the beginner levels (white, yellow). Kihon Kata Shodan, Kihon Kata Nidan, and Kihon Kata Sandan are the first three kata that are learned, and closely resemble Shotokan's Taikyoku series in terms of stepping movements and some of the techniques, following the classical "I" pattern.

At the intermediate and advanced kyu ranks (8th to 4th kyu), the Pinan series (Pinan Shodan, Pinan Nidan, Pinan Sandan, Pinan Yodan, and Pinan Godan) are taught. These kata also closely resemble Shotokan's Hei-an series. It is of interesting note, however, that this style teaches Pinan Nidan before teaching Pinan Shodan, with the understanding that Pinan Nidan is somewhat easier to learn first.

At the advanced kyu ranks (3rd kyu through 1st kyu), kata Naihanchi Shodan and Kushanku Dai are taught. Again, these kata bear close resemblance to their Shotokan counterparts (Tekki Shodan and Kanku Dai).

At the dan rankings, more advanced kata are taught, including the required kata Passai (Bassai Dai), Wanshu (Empi Sho / Enpi), Jion, Chinto (Gankaku), Seishan, and Kushanku Sho.

Other kata may also be practiced, including Nijushiho (Niseishi / Nandan Sho), Nipaipo, Chinte, Bassai Sho, Gojushiho Sho (Ueseishi), Gojushiho Dai, Jitte, Sochin, Unsu (Unshu) and Suparinpei (Pichurin), as well as others.

Kobudo

Weapons training is also available, based on the Okinawan Yamanni-Chinen ryu style practiced by the Ryukyu Bujutsu Kenkyu Doyukai. Bojutsu and saijutsu are emphasized, and training is often done in conjunction with Sensei Toshihiro Oshiro on a regular basis.

Bo kata currently taught include the fundamental forms Donyukon Ichi and Donyukon Ni at the beginning levels, progressing to Suuji No Kun, Choun No Kun Sho, Choun No Kun Dai, and Ryu Bi No Kun at the intermediate levels. Sakugawa No Kun, and Shirataru No Kun are taught at the advanced levels.

Sai kata currently taught include Shimabukuro No Sai Ichi and Shimabukuro No Sai Ni at the beginning levels, progressing to Kyan No Sai and Nakandakari No Sai at the intermediate levels. Kishaba No Sai Sho and Kishaba No Sai Dai are taught at more advanced levels.

Sword training, with an emphasis on Iaido, is also taught. There is a style-specific kata, Juhachi Waza, as the primary form.

Senior Instructors

In the Heiwa-do style, the senior sensei are listed as follows:

Kiyohisa Hirano, Shihan, and founder (9th dan)

Ronald Woodard, Shihan (8th dan)

Howard Takahashi, Hanshi, technical director (6th dan)

Clarice Tsuchiya-Hirano (deceased) (7th dan)

Alan Homma (7th dan)

Roy Woodard (6th dan)

David Pope, Hanshi, technical director (6th dan)

Dale Coker (6th dan)

Rusty Titus (5th dan)

Martha Stephens (5th dan)

Kevin Marshall (5th dan)

Richard Lovell, Renshi (5th dan)

Curtis Boyd (5th dan)

Michael Shimabukuro (4th dan)

Debi Lewis (4th dan)

Chris Helms (4th dan)

Thomas Fratus (4th dan)

External links

* [http://www.jikc-hq.org/ JIKC homepage]
* [http://www.hkadojo.com/ Hawaii Karate Association homepage]
* [http://www.jikfkarate.com/ Japan International Karate-do Federation, Central Alabama]
* [http://www.japankarate.net/ Japan Karate Institute, South Carolina]
* [http://www.jikc-karate.com/ Japan International Karate Center, Birmingham, Alabama]
* [http://www.jikc.com/ Japan International Karate Center, Auburn, Alabama]
* [http://www.jikc-karate.org/ Japan International Karate Center, Tuscaloosa, Alabama]
* [http://www.jikccharleston.com/ Japan International Karate Center, Goose Creek, South Carolina]
* [http://karatecurtis.com/ Japan International Karate Center, Darlington, South Carolina]