An Unrivaled Lineage

Shukokai was founded by Tani Chojiro in 1949.

Sensei Tani started his formal karate training under Miyagi Chojun (founder of Goju ryu karate) whilst a student at Doshisha University, Kyoto. After some years Miyagi Sensei returned to Okinawa. Sensei Kenwa Mabuni - a friend of Miyagi Sensei and the founder of Shitoryu - took over his teaching.

While still receiving instruction from Sensei Mabuni, Sensei Tani was teaching Kaicho Kawata Shigemasa who is now the international chief Instructor of our association.

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Originally, Mabuni Sensei only taught the Naha-te system out of respect for his friend but eventually changed and began teaching the Shito system for which he became famous. On graduation from the university, Sensei Tani followed Mabuni to learn first the Shuri-te system before ultimately learning the then developing, Shitoryu system.

After many years of training under Sensei Mabuni, as one of his most senior students, Sensei Tani received the certificate of succession, entitling him to use the name Tani-ha Shitoryu (the Tani sect of Shitoryu). In 1948 Sensei Tani, whilst still a high school teacher, founded his own style, Shukokai.

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Outside of Japan, Shokokai was initially taught by three of Sensei Tani’s Instructors; 

Kimura, Nanbu and Suzuki. 70 years later, our Honbu dojo in Japan is lead by the Shukokai international chief instructor: Kaicho Kawata Shigemasa, 10th Dan Hanshi. As Sensei Tani's most senior student, Sensei Kawata continues to perfect the infallible foundations that have successfully established world wide recognition and respect for Shokokai, and the traditions that it encompasses.