JSKA (JAPAN SHOTOKAN KARATE ASSOCIATION)

The beginning of JSKA is associated with Keigo Abe, one of the most talented followers of Nakayama Masatoshi. Born 28 October 1938.

In September 2001, Abe Keigo wrote in What Is Japan Shotokan Karate Association, the organization I head, Japan Shotokan Karate Association, was created on 10 February 1999. Its basis is one of the versions of Japanese Shotokan karate combined with the elements of “Abe Style.”

I know from Sensei Nakayama that his teachers had been Gitin Funakoshi (1868 – 1957) and his son, Yoshitaka Funakoshi (1907–1945). The latter had a great influence on me and my style. In 1965, I became an instructor and member of the instructing team, in 1985, Chairman of its Qualification Committee and in 1990, Technical Director of JKA (Matsuno Section) where I worked until 31 January 1999.

During my most active period, I won 3rd place at the National JKA Championship; I was captain of the Japanese team at the Second WUKO World Championship in Paris; I won first place at the 1973 JKA International Friendship Competition and at the 2nd and 3rd JKF National Championships, where I was representing Tokyo.

I am convinced that competition contributes to the formation of Budo Spirit And the development of karate mastership. Nowadays, however, karate is centered only on winning competitions. But this is very far from the true purpose of karate. I believe that the true purpose of karate lies in daily training with the goal to develop, in parallel, a strong body and mind, and to contribute to society in general. It is to this end that the organization I head, Japan Shotokan Karate Association, was created.

The beginning of JSKA is associated with Keigo Abe, one of the most talented followers of Nakayama Masatoshi. Born 28 October 1938, Keigo Abe entered Nihon University in 1958 and began to practice karate under Nakayama at the fabled JKA Hambu Dojo, where he was among the best karatekas and, later on, became one of the leading instructors. An accomplished competitor, Abe Sensei was the captain of the Japanese team at the Second WUKO World Championship in Paris. He won fist places in the team competition at the 1973 JKA International Friendship Competition and the second and third JKF National Championships, where he was representing Tokyo. A living legendary karate master, he is known for his unparalleled shift-away techniques and forecasting counterattacks. Keigo Abe has taught karate in more than fifty countries. In 1990, he became Technical Director of JKA (Matsumo Section). In February 1999, He founded the JSKA network that includes over fifty countries. At present he is 9th Dan JSKA Chief Instructor worldwide.