HISTORY

Born in Okinawa in 1868, FUNAKOSHI Gichin started to practice Karate around 1879 with two Okinawa’s top masters of Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu. In 1922, invited to demonstrate Karate to the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese public, his demonstration was such a success that he decided to remain in Japan to teach and promote his art. Gichin Funakoshi passed away in 1957 at the age of 88. Aside from creating Shotokan Karate and introducing it to Japan and the world, this unassuming and gentle man also wrote books, among them "Karate-do: My Way of Life" and “The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate”. FUNAKOSHI Sensei is widely considered as the founder of modern Karate.

NAKAYAMA Masatoshi was born in Yamaguchi prefecture in Japan and began practicing Karate in 1932 after enrolling in Takushoku University in Tokyo, where he trained under FUNAKOSHI Gichin Sensei and later under his son FUNAKOSHI Yoshitaka Sensei. In 1949 Nakayama Sensei founded the Japan Karate Association with Funakoshi Sensei as chief instructor and together they created the JKA instructors course. Later, Nakayama Sensei established Karate competitions and also worked to spread Shotokan Karate throughout the world. Nakayama Sensei wrote several books on Karate, among them the "Best Karate" series.

Sensei Keigo ABE was born the October 28, 1938 in the town of Iyoshi (Ehime Prefecture), Japan. In 1953 he started his Karate activity in the intermediate school under the direction of a Shito Ryu Master from Okinawa.In 1956 he went to the prestigious Nihon University of Tokyo. In the mean time he trains karate in the mythic JKA's (Japan Karate Association) Hombu Dojo directed by Sensei MASATOSHI NAKAYAMA (pupil of O'sensei gichin FUNAKOSHI the Karate Shotokan founder).He became one of the best Sensei Nakayama's instructors and directly collaborated with him to train many technicians that are famous all over the world. Sensei Abe is one of the most important representatives of the karate world.

Sensei NAGAKI Mitsuru, are born in 1950 in Ehime Prefecture, was regarded as having a promising future in judo, which he had worked hard on since his childhood. Later, when he entered the Nihon University, he studied karate under Abe Sensei’s guidance. Since then, he has devoted his life to karate. At present, he is an 8th dan, and with accuracy of technique, he is also a rare karate expert who can do both Kata and Kumite. His leadership is highly regarded in the world of karate, and Nagaki sensei has successively produced many world-class karate experts, including world champions. He also never fails to practice hard and is breaking an unprecedented record of winning 27 consecutive master class championships.

Mohammad Bahrami was born in 1959 in Tehran, Iran. He started karate training in 1974 and trained under Sharifi Sensei’s guidance. After Iran Karate Association joined with JKA in 1976, Bahrami visited Japan and stayed in the country for several years to train with JKA top instructors. Whilst in Japan he earned the 2nd place of the individual and team competition as a delegation of the Tokyo team in All Japan Championship in 1987. After his return to Iran, Bahrami became a member of the Iran National Team from1981 to 1990 and earned his reputation in Iran as a top karate competitor. He has been a member of the Iran Karate Federation Coaches Committee since 2006. Bahrami is also well known in the world of karate not only as a strong competitor but also as a professional international coach. He has served as a national coach for several countries such as Iran, Kuwait and UAE. Bahrami received his 8th Dan from JSKA. He is JSKA Asia Director and Shihankai member