Big Island Shukokai Karate

04/08/2026

One of the signature techniques of Shukokai is what Chojiro Tani termed “Kick-shock”. Rather than insist that the heel remain flat on the floor to create power or simply lifting it during forward movement, the objective is to use a push-off like a sprinter coming out of the blocks. I discovered this machine that can train Kick-shock for Mar-Geri so that the first muscle group to initiate the kick is NOT the Quads - it’s the calf muscles. The Quads take over an instant after the “Kick-shock” propells the knee forward like the 1st stage of a rocket.
1) Standard Moto-dachi
2) Kick-shock initiates driving the body forward
3) Kick-shock driving knee forward & initiating the Quads to complete the Mae-geri or Hiza-geri
The forward momentum thrusts your body weight into the kick or strike (which I’ll describe in a later post.

04/05/2026

I’m posting this video not to make enemies but to cause you to seriously & honestly examine the systems illustrated here. If you know my professional background working in psychiatric & criminal settings, you probably know that I’ve had hundreds of real violent contacts. So from this perspective, I thought this video might inspire some introspection, not to insult anyone but possibly modifying your training if self-protection is your goal.

There are martial arts being taught right now — arts with thousands of practitioners, legitimate historical roots, and genuine cultural value — that will get...

03/30/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AvWXyC3mu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

03/30/2026

In 2003, after joining Sh*toryu Shukokai Union, I personally trained with & was tested by Haruyoshi Yamada, Hanshi. It was then that he corrected my Crane stance (Nipaipo). Like SO many others, I wrapped my foot behind my knee. Yamada Sensei corrected my foot placement to be placed beside my knee. I have tried to convey this to other Sh*toryu practitioners/ sensei but most prefer to keep their foot wrapped behind their knee “for stability” 🙄
This poster reflects Yamada Sensei’s understanding is also Iwata Sensei’s understanding. Arigato Gozaimasu.

03/16/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Zrt2GfQc8/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Sh*tō-ryū is one of the four major styles of karate in Japan.Its founder, Kenwa Mabuni, mastered both Shuri-te and Naha-te, inheriting countless kata. A tire...

03/10/2026

Two concepts of Shukokai in a real world incident: The first is staying aware & acting on “instinct”. The second, producing greater Impact power, by shifting her mass to augment her arm power. The woman clearly shoves as she lunges thus putting her body weight into her thrust.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1KakepsZTM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

03/09/2026

Another installment of Shukokai Body Mechanics & Weight Training: Today - Tateken (vertical fist). Rather than simply forming a fist as if holding a sign, try this Shukokai modification. To convert this to Nanameken (angled fist), just rotate about 45 deg inward.

03/04/2026

I saw this video years ago, before I began this page. It recirculated so I wanted to share it with everyone.

https://iainabernethy.com/ In this video I discuss “The Two Biggest Bunkai Mistakes” made my karateka. It is my view that if these two mistakes can be avoide...

02/26/2026

If you have taken my classes or participated in my seminars, you’ll recognize these these “3 Things”. Another point I make, that this YouTube creator doesn’t, is to be/ become aware of your surroundings (people, obstacles, escape route(s), possible improvised weapons). Enjoy.

If you somehow get into an altercation with someone, never do these three things that I will discuss in this video. It could save your life.

02/25/2026

So, a natural skeletal alignment makes for better structure. As originally noted, the fitness industry recognizes that an angled grip has benefits. Note here (a younger version of me) is doing pull-us using angled grips. So how do you know it’s “natural”? Stand with your hands hanging loosely by your sides. Note the angle of your knuckles - they are neither parallel nor perpendicular to your body. Raise your arm slowly (without twisting ) & note the angle of your knuckles.
I will explain the possible reason for Seiken in a future post. Start training Tsuki with Namame-ken.

02/21/2026

Part 2: Although horizontal handles & bars are still in use, the angled ones developed based on anatomical efficiency. As cited in my previous post, I have elected to replace horizontal punches (Seiken) with angled punches (Naname-ken) for fighting/ defensive applications. Kata is still practiced in traditional manner. (Note: in the last photo, the “Ura-zuki” should be slightly angled up - I think the photo was snapped a bit early. Sorry)