Shotokan Karate Union
Shotokan Karate Union () or the SKU / SKU (GB) is a non-profit international traditional Shotokan Karate organisation that was established in Great Britain in 1985 with individually affiliated members (karateka) worldwide.
History
The SKU was formed as a coming together a coalition of invited individual members from several groups including the two most influential Shotokan organisations at that time: the JKA headed by Masatoshi Nakayama and the SKIF headed by Hirokazu Kanazawa.
Organisation
The SKU is run by a yudansha committee consisting of its senior dan grade members and a director of coaching. From its formation, the SKU has remained dedicated to the practice of Shotokan Karate as a traditional Japanese martial art form just as the style's founder Gichin Funakoshi intended. Promotion through the kyu ranks for its karateka is via a transparent and structured grading assessment system. Its coaches also have a similar system of progression called the "Coaching Award Scheme", which is a combination of graded practical assessment work, lectures, classroom input and written papers taken over three separate stages in three stand-alone modules.
Competitions
Since its formation, the SKU has held traditional tournaments in both kata and shobu ippon kumite where individual and team representatives from over 30 countries compete biannually in the SKU Cup. In addition, there is a biannual international meet between Japan and England and other tournaments such as a masters event and the 100 Trophy League.
History
The SKU was formed as a coming together a coalition of invited individual members from several groups including the two most influential Shotokan organisations at that time: the JKA headed by Masatoshi Nakayama and the SKIF headed by Hirokazu Kanazawa.
Organisation
The SKU is run by a yudansha committee consisting of its senior dan grade members and a director of coaching. From its formation, the SKU has remained dedicated to the practice of Shotokan Karate as a traditional Japanese martial art form just as the style's founder Gichin Funakoshi intended. Promotion through the kyu ranks for its karateka is via a transparent and structured grading assessment system. Its coaches also have a similar system of progression called the "Coaching Award Scheme", which is a combination of graded practical assessment work, lectures, classroom input and written papers taken over three separate stages in three stand-alone modules.
Competitions
Since its formation, the SKU has held traditional tournaments in both kata and shobu ippon kumite where individual and team representatives from over 30 countries compete biannually in the SKU Cup. In addition, there is a biannual international meet between Japan and England and other tournaments such as a masters event and the 100 Trophy League.
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