With members in over 100 countries, the Japan Karate Association (JKA), is the world’s largest and most prestigious karate organization, and the only legal karate entity officially recognized by the Japanese government as an association of members for the promotion of karate. More importantly though, we are The Keeper of Karate’s Highest Tradition, the preserver of the soul and spirit of the art of karate in line with the tradition of Bushido (the way of the samurai).
A Brief History of the Japan Karate Association*
Originally, the martial art Te (“Hand”) developed in Okinawa as a system of self-defense. Due to Okinawa’s frequent contact and exchange with China, it is certain that the Okinawan martial art was influenced by Chinese kempo at some point during its development. However, with only oral tradition and no formal contemporary written records, it is not certain exactly when the art called Kara-Te first emerged in Okinawa. It is believed that it developed roughly 500 years ago, when the dynastic ruler King Shoha unified the region after decades of warfare and issued an edict banning the possession of weapons on the island.
According to conventional accounts, a similar law forbidding the possession or use of weapons was re-issued and enforced by the Satsuma clan, who had invaded Okinawa in the early 1600’s and brought it under the rule of the Japanese Shogunate. It is believed that in this environment karate developed as a form of unarmed combat for protecting oneself and one’s country, and it was taught and practiced in secret.
Then came the birth in 1868 of Okinawan karate master Funakoshi Gichin. He dedicated his whole life to promoting the values of the art, and introduced the way of karate-jutsu to Japan, where it spread across the country. By 1949, his followers had established an association for the promotion of karate; they called it Nihon Karate Kyokai, or Japan Karate Association. It was the beginning of the JKA…
More on the history of the JKA can be found on the JKA Website: http://jka.or.jp/en/
*(extract form JKA Website)
The JKA/WF Australia was founded in 1991 under the name of Australian Shotokan Karate-do Association and operated as an independent Shotokan organization till 2009 when it became an affiliated member of the JKA in Tokyo, Japan and started using the name JKA/WF Australia.
Our Mission
JKA/WF Australia in conjunction with the JKA Japan is the preserver of the soul and spirit of the art of Karate-do based on the ancient Japanese tradition of Bushido (the way of the Samurai). JKA/WF Australia mission is to promote this way of Karate throughout Australia, ensuring that it remains true to the philosophical precepts upon which it was founded. Basically making Karate a way of life.
Karate is a way of life…
Practiced through training the body and mind, self-control, and discipline
Japanese karate is based on Bushido. In true karate, the body, mind and spirit, the whole person must be developed simultaneously. We can perform the techniques without thinking about them, and remain focused without having to concentrate on any one thing. In essence, the body remembers how to move and the mind remembers how to be still. The result of true karate is natural, effortless action, and the confidence, humility, openness and peace only possible through perfect unity of mind and body. This is the core teaching of Zen, the basis of Bushido, and the of the JKA’s karate philosophy.