Shotokan
Karate is a weaponless martial
art developed in Okinawa and Japan, emphasizing power and efficiency in
combat.
Skilled karate ka defeat their opponents with a minimal
number of
techniques and effort, which is particularly useful when facing
multiple
opponents. JKA Shotokan is distinguished from other martial arts by the
linearity and strength of it's punches, blocks, and kicks. Precise
techniques,
accompanied by mastery and focus of energy flows and a deep knowledge
of the
body's vital points, make this karate style a comprehensive system for
self-defense and combat
However,
JKA Shotokan Karate is
much more than just a way to defend and fight - it is a holistic system
in
which the training itself has far reaching effects on the trainee. It
is an
ideal way to become and stay fit, as it combines intense aerobic and
anaerobic
exercises. It is away to gain self-discipline and the confidence to
surmount
everyday obstacles,whether tangible or not. JKA Shotokan Karate
encourages and
helps in the exploration and understanding of both the physical and
mental self
Our
head teacher is Sensei
Kenichi Haramoto, founder and leader of the Northern California branch
of the
Sensei
Haramoto is a 6th Dan
black belt and certified instructor of the JKA. He began his training
in Tokyo,
Japan in 1962;in 1966 he participated in the All Japan Collegiate
Karate
Championship Tournament and won the first place together with his
Aoyama Gakuin
University Karate Club team. Later, while earning his MBA at Aoyama
Gakuin
Graduate School, he taught JKA Shotokan karate at the university.
Sensei
Haramoto came to the United States in 1970, establishing the JKA of
Northern
California, headquartered in San Francisco. In 1975, Sensei Haramoto
was
elected judge at the World Karate-Do Championship Tournament, attended
by teams
from over 50 countries. Today, he is the chief instructor of
JKA of
California
,
which includes JKA
of Stanford, Oracle Karate Club, and JKA of USF.
This year, Sensei Haramoto is on sabbatical, so he is not with us all the time; he comes once a month to lead special training as well as organize examinations and tournaments. At the USF dojo, the regular instructor is Merv Dixon, Yondan (4thdegree black belt). Mr. Dixon has been studying under Sensei Haramoto since 1984 and started training in 1980.
On occasion, Sensei Masataka Mori from New York visits us to lead seminars and administer dan exams. We also organize joint training sessions with other Haramoto dojos in the area.
Last Updated: August 19, 2007
- (c) 2007 JKA of USF