KSD Karate teaches traditional Shito-Ryu Shukokai Karate to the highest standards. There are many different styles of karate-do practised throughout the world, KSD teaches traditional Shito-Ryu Shukokai Karate-Do a fast and dynamic style of karate-do.
Shukokai means “The way for all”.
1940s – 2010
Our style of karate, Shito-Ryu Shukokai, was founded by Chojiro Tani in the late 1940’s in Kobe Japan. Tani Sensei was a student of Kenwa Mabuni, Shito-Ryu founder and teacher of many a great karate master, including Gichin Funakoshi founder of Shotokan and Otsuka Hironori founder of Wado-Ryu.
Tani Sensei had his own ideas on the development of karate-do based around the study of body mechanics, hence the style Tani-Ha Shito-Ryu Shukokai was born.
The style is very fast due to a relatively high stance to aid mobility, it is also known for it’s double hip twist which maximises force in it’s striking, making it one of the hardest hitting styles of karate.
One of Tani Sensei’s top students, and some believe one of the most powerful and innovative Shukokai Karataka ever, was Sensei Shigeru Kimura.
Kimura Sensei left japan in 1965 to spread the Shukokai message around the world, firstly in South Africa then into Europe before settling in the USA. Based on Tani Sensei teaching and with Kimura Sensei’s own ideas, Kimura Sensei developed his Shukokai emphasising it’s power and strength.
Shigeru Kimora came to the UK and both Sensei Terry Pottage (Ken Yu Kai founder) and Sensei George H Campbell (Alliance of Shukokai Karate founder) trained and graded under him till the break up of the SKU and the formation of the SKF. Both Sensei’s played a role in our past development as we were members and instructors with both organisations and our own Ralph Maguire, Eric Hayes and David Fraser trained with Kimura on numerous occasions.
Sensei Daz Barber taught and ran classes (including private lessons) and conducted gradings as part of the DKA grade panel at Sensei Campbell’s and ASK Humbu dojo from 1996- 2010. He was a founder dan grade instructor with the DKA.
2010
In 2010 the time was right to open a new dojo. Daz had been thinking about this for many years if truthful. So Ken-Shu-Do Shukokai Karate Club was formed. The club title was given to us by Sensei George Campbell who in turn was given the name by Kimura Sensei.
Sadly after a short time and after much consideration, totally frustrated with the lack of communication and false promises/opportunities, despite pushing for change and the lack of training sessions for senior association grades, we left the ASK and joined the Cobra Martial Arts Association (CMAA). At this time it was requested we relinquish the “Ken-Shu-Do” title to our dojo. Out of respect we adhered to this request but as we own the domain rights to the name there will always be a tie. The new club name became KSD Shito-Ryu Shukokai Karate Club.
K= Ken, S = Shu, D = Dojo.
There is a world of learning out there and as students of the arts we owed it to ourselves and our students to follow a different path while staying true to traditional Shito-Ryu Shukokai Karate-Do. As a club we search out the very best instructors and train with them when opportunity arises.
2010 – present
Ever since the club was formed whenever the opportunity to train with senior world karateka has come our way we jump at the chance. We were sad to leave our old friends behind but now feel justified in our chosen path. KSD has forged great new friendships with more like-minded clubs and we are looking forward to a bright future at Ken Shu Dojo Shito-Ryu Shukokai Karate Club .
KSD began at Heaton Park Social Club, Prestwich, Manchester. A great venue but we soon out-grew the space and hours offered so we took a risk opening up a full time Karate dojo in Whitefield, a mile away from our first location.
The Ken Shu Dojo is run by a full time karate instructor and administrator and is a non-profit organisation. We operate a full time dojo in Whitefield, Manchester with karate class times to suit everyone.
We have many senior karateka come to the Ken Shu Dojo to train. These seniors are not always members of the club or our association, they come to train in a non egotistical dojo. These karate seniors are genuine 5th, 6th and 7th dans who come to train hard the KSD way! Anyone is welcome here, there are no politics or egos as stated, just honest hard training. Please get in touch if you would like to train with us.
In 2018 Ken Shu Dojo Karate Club was awarded a Centre of Excellence.