master

ITOSU, ANKO (1830-1915)

Itosu taught martial arts from the Shuri region of Okinawa and is known for its crisp sharp direct movements. Itosu is famous for developing the Pinan katas.

HIGOANNA KANRO (1853-1915)

Higoanna's system was drawn from the Naha region of Okinawa and is characterised by its more subtle, flowing and circular technique.

GO KEN KI (1886-1940)

Go Ken Ki was a tea merchant and taught the Chinese White Crane style on his visits to Okinawa. Mabuni can be seen in the background.

Tani 1

TANI, CHOJIRO (1921-1998) 10th Dan Hanshi

Soke- Tani-Ha Shito-Ryu Shukokai

Master Tani was a direct student of Kenwa Mabuni who passed on a "Certificate of succession" (rarely given), this allowed mastter Tani to set up his own group. He named it Shukokai which means "Way for all".

After Master Tani passed away on the 11th January 1998 his son Hiroshi was elected to head the Shukokai and then also took on his fathers name becoming Chojiro Tani II.

Our KOFUKAN association has always remained part of the original Tani Ha Shito Ryu Shukokai and maintains strong links to the founding organisation.

MABUNI, KENWA (1889-1952)

Founder of Shito-Ryu

Considered by many to be a genious due to his in depth study of Karate and for bringing together the Shuri-te and Naha-te systems. By combining the first parts of the names of his main instructors "Higa" and "Ito" the caligraphy read "Shito" and he names his style after them.

Master Mabuni trained with many other masters in his pursuit of knowledge and as a result we have a rich and diverse syllabus passed down to us.

-------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------

Kofukan International

Joint Chief Instructors

KT Omi

Shihan Naoki Omi 7th Dan

Sensei Omi resides in Paris and deala with both the French clubs and other Kofukan International business.

While studying at the Doshisha University (Japan), Mr Omi and Tomiyama continued their Karate training under Master Tani who ran the University Karate club.

Every year Senseis Omi and Tomiyama conduct their open course in England which is always a well attended and popular event.

Shihan Keiji Tomiyama 7th Dan

Sensei Tomiyama lives in Nottingham where Kofukan England is based and as a world renowned Shito-Ryu expert spends much of his time instructing both here and abroad.

Several books on Karate and numerous videos/DVDs are available by Mr Tomiyama to supplement students training. For more information or to purchase please go to the Contacts and Links page.

Shihan Tomiyama also holds the grade of 7th Dan in Goju Ryu.