International Shotokan Karate Federation

The International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) is the largest Shotokan Karate organization in North and South America. Until 2007 it was part of the Japan Karate Association, an organization that founded the ISKF in 1977 in efforts by its high-ranking members to spread the study of shotokan karate throughout the world. Members of the ISKF follow the teachings of shotokan's founder, Gichin Funakoshi. Though ISKF is based mainly in the United States, ISKF dojos can be found in over twenty eight countries worldwide. Teruyuki Okazaki (1931-present) is the chairman and chief instructor of the ISKF.

ISKF Regional Directors

Testing

For all kyu tests, the examinee must demonstrate to the examiners the mandated kata along with basics and sparring. Testing of a karateka is typically allowed every three months until 1st kyu is obtained. The minimum waiting period between 1st kyu and 1st dan is typically a year.

For dan examinations, the examinee must travel to the regional headquarters and test there or attend clinics given by certified examiners (such as at National Competitions). The testee must demonstrate a single kata of his or her choice. The chief examiner will then choose another kata to be performed. The testee must also demonstrate free sparring. The sparring is non-point, i.e. it does not stop when someone makes contact. Those who wish may choose to participate in self-defense (in which an instructor at the table performs a series of attacks, including wrist grabs and bear hugs) and the testee must defend and counter those attacks. This is normally only offered to older testees. Board-breaking and other events that are not actually part of karate are not tested at all.

Master Camp

The ISKF runs an annual retreat for Karate training held in Green Lane, Pennsylvania. Karate students come from all over the world to train. Guest Instructors, often outside of the ISKF are invited to teach classes. Classes are two to four times per day. Mandatory classes are twice per day, optional training once per day, and the special instructor training class is once per day. Exams for black belt, examiner certification and judge certification are offered. The retreat concludes with a Goodwill Tournament. Camps are also run outside of the United States.

Collegiate Karate

The ISKF is affiliated with the East Coast Collegiate Karate Union. Teruyuki Okazaki is the chairman and Chief Instructor, and Dr. Paul Smith is the director. James Sim is the ECCKU coordinator. The ECCKU has 15 member-colleges, but any karateka in college may compete.

plit with JKA

As of June 2007, the ISKF ended its affiliation with the JKA due to a conflict of interest of new rules that were declared at the 2007 JKA directors board meeting.

On April 2, 2007, three of the founding members of the ISKF decided to remain with the JKA forming JKA USA, however, the majority of the countries within the ISKF decided to remain with ISKF rather than JKA, including one of the founders Teruyuki Okazaki. Their intentions are best explained within: [http://lka-karate.com/jka-declaration.jpgJKA Declaration]

Additionally, Mikami and Takashina have made individual statements: [http://www.allsouthkarate.com/resignation_letter.jpgMikami Sensei's Resignation] [http://sakahonbu.org/ISKF_JKA_Letter_April4_580x748.jpga letter from Takashina Sensei]

The ISKF made a formal statement [http://iskf.com/letter/index.htm]

References

* [http://www.iskf.com/ ISKF official website]
* [http://ctr.usf.edu/shotokan/links.html USF Karate directory]
* [http://iskf.com/departments/eccku/index.htm/ ECCKU official website]