松濤継承会Shōtō Keishōkai
An independent lineage body for traditional Shotokan karate-dō. We carry forward the karate of Gichin Funakoshi as it was handed down through the founders' generation, examine and certify rank to the JKA standard, and belong to no organization.
Preserve
Keep Funakoshi's Shotokan as it was handed down by the founders' generation: the kihon, the kata, the kumite and the etiquette, without dilution or reinvention.
Examine
Set the grading standard, appoint examiners, hold examinations and award rank by numbered, sealed certificate recorded in the register.
Verify
Answer for every rank it has awarded. Any dojo or student can confirm a certificate against the register.
Stay independent
Belong to no national or international organization, charge no fees and send no money anywhere, so that politics never enters the dojo.
The name
Shōtō (松濤, "pine waves") was the pen name Funakoshi signed to his poems. His students named the first dojo Shōtōkan, the hall of Shōtō, and the name became the style. Keishō (継承) means succession: to inherit something and carry it forward. Kai (会) is a society. Shōtō Keishōkai is the society that carries Shōtō's karate forward.
Why independent
We practice traditional Shotokan karate and follow the principles of the JKA (Japan Karate Association): its kihon, kata and kumite, its grading syllabus, and Funakoshi's Dōjō Kun. We are not a registered JKA club, and we are not affiliated with any governing body. That is a deliberate choice. Since many of the founding senseis have passed on, organizational politics have too often marred the spirit of karate, and we would rather keep our dojo focused on training. Ranks earned here are awarded under Shōtō Keishōkai (松濤継承会), our own lineage body, which carries forward the JKA, ITKF, AAKF and ISKF traditions of our teachers and belongs to no outside organization.
Grading standards
The JKA HQ Kyu/Dan Grading Guideline, minimum intervals for every grade, 80% attendance, external examiners for senior Dan grades, and no fees.
Standards ›Lineage
From Funakoshi through Nishiyama, Yaguchi and Sugiyama to the teachers who examined and taught our President.
The line ›Member dojo
West Lafayette Shotokan Karate Club, training in West Lafayette, IN since 2011. Classes Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday.
The dojo ›President
Dr. Marcus Rogers, President and Chief Examiner. Fifty years in the martial arts, forty in Shotokan.
Biography ›Dōjō Kun 道場訓
Funakoshi's five precepts, recited at the end of every class in every member dojo.
- 一、人格完成に努むることSeek perfection of character
- 一、誠の道を守ることBe faithful
- 一、努力の精神を養うことEndeavor
- 一、礼儀を重んずることRespect others
- 一、血気の勇を戒むることRefrain from violent behavior