About Shotokan karate-do international federation
The Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation (SKIF) is a non-profit organization that was established in 1978 by the late Soke Hirokazu Kanazawa. Soke Kanazawa was a direct student of Grand Master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate. Before founding SKIF, he served as the Director and General Manager for Foreign Affairs Division of Japan Karate Association.
SKIF has been expanding its activities since its inception and now has affiliated groups in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization's mission is to promote traditional Shotokan karate-do through training, education, and competition.
The SKIF curriculum emphasizes physical fitness, mental discipline, and self-defense techniques. Students are taught to develop their physical strength and endurance through rigorous training exercises such as kata (formal exercises), kumite (sparring), and kihon (basic techniques). Mental discipline is also emphasized through meditation practices that help students focus their minds on achieving their goals.
One of the unique aspects of SKIF's approach to teaching karate-do is its emphasis on character development. Students are encouraged to cultivate qualities such as respect for others, humility, perseverance, courage, and self-control. These values are seen as essential for personal growth both inside and outside the dojo.
SKIF also places great importance on international cooperation among its members. The organization hosts regular seminars where instructors from different countries can exchange ideas about teaching methods and share their experiences with one another. This helps to ensure that SKIF maintains a high standard of instruction across all affiliated groups worldwide.
In addition to promoting traditional Shotokan karate-do through training programs at local dojos around the world, SKIF also organizes international competitions where students can test their skills against other practitioners from different countries. These events provide an opportunity for students to showcase their abilities while also fostering camaraderie among participants from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Overall, the Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation is a world-renowned organization that has been promoting traditional karate-do for over four decades. With its emphasis on physical fitness, mental discipline, character development, and international cooperation, SKIF is an excellent choice for anyone looking to learn this ancient martial art form.