About Us

  Shotokan Karate – Master Gichin Funakoshi

The Shotokan System is considered the most modern and scientific method used today.  Its founder, Master Gichin Funakoshi, utilized university students majoring in physical education and physics to help him examine karate from an academic standpoint.  As a result of that study, he combined the various techniques into a scientific and rational form which today comprises the Shotokan Karate System.

If there is only one man who could take credit for the popularity and respect that karate is held today in mainland Japan, then that would be Gichin Funakoshi.  He was born in Shuri, Okinawa in 1868.  As a boy, Gichin Funakoshi was very sick and weak.  His parents brought him to be trained by two very famous masters in Okinawa during his time:  Yasutsune Itosu and Yasutsune Azato.  From Itosu, he learned the martial art of Naha-te  and from Azato, he learned the martial art of Shuri-te.

With the aid of his doctor, Dr. Tokashiki, and his herbs, Funakoshi blossomed into an strong young man.  And under the excellent tutelage of Itosu and Azato and his other teachers Arakaki and Matsumura,  Gichin Funakoshi developed into an outstanding student with a highly disciplined mind.  He excelled in his studies and in his martial art.  He was asked to perform in Japan during a physical fitness  exhibition held by the Ministry of  Education in 1917 and again in 1921.  He even performed in front of the Japanese Emperor and the royal family in 1922.

When he finally had the means to open his own schools, he was able to train students in  his own martial arts style.  His style evolved the melding of the two styles he learned: Shuri-te from Azato and Naha-te from Itosu.  This style is what is known today as Shotokan.  “Shoto” refers to the pen name that Gichin Funakoshi used when writing poetry and “Kan” refers to the hall or building where the students of “Shoto” practiced.  Gichin Funakoshi wrote several definitive books on the art of karate including his own autobiography, “Karate-Do: My Way of Life.”

Gichin Funakoshi died in April 1957 at the age of 88.  He left behind a tremendous legacy.  The Japanese Karate Association (JKA) which was established in 1955 started with Funakoshi as the chief instructor.  It is still a vibrant martial arts club in Japan.

  Taekwondo – Dr. Ken Min

Taekwondo is one of the most systematic and scientific Korean traditional martial arts, that teaches more than physical fighting skills. It is a discipline that shows ways of enhancing our spirit and life through training our body and mind. Today, it has become a global sport that has gained an international reputation, and stands among the official games in the Olympics.

Dr. Ken Min arrived at Cal in ’69, there were a number of student-run martial arts clubs, but they were unsupervised by university officials, who worried about safety. Students were practicing all over Harmon Gym, Min says, “in the foyer, in the hallways, on the rooftops.” Administration honchos came to him and said, “Ken Min, you’re the expert in martial arts, you clean up this mess.   Integrating for-credit classes with extracurricular clubs, tournaments and symposia, volunteering countless hours and often spending his own money.  He created the most extensive college program in the country, offering a range of Korean, Japanese and Chinese styles.  Along the way, Min became a 9th dan, or degree, black belt — the 10th degree is honorary and rarely awarded — in judo.

9th Dan

Silicon Valley Taekwondo Association

California, USA

Grandmaster Joong K. Nam    

9th Degree Black Belt

Great Grand Master Joong K. Nam has had over 60 years of Taekwondo experience, and over 55 years of teaching experience. He is one of Blue Dragon’s chief instructors and technical advisors. Great Grand Master Nam was the former instructor of 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist Dana Hee. With all of his experience, knowledge, and worldwide recognition in Taekwondo.

9th Dan

Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association World

Texas, USA

Hanshi
www.fskaworld.com
​
​Sensei Kevin Funakoshi is a certified Hachi Dan(8th Dan) under Black Belt  Hall of Fame inductee and founder of  FSKA Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi (cousin to the founder of Shotokan Karate, Gichin Funakoshi also known as the “Father of Modern Karate”).

Sensei Kevin Funakoshi started training in 1966 under Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi at the original Hawaii JKA dojo in Honolulu, Hawaii.   Following the Funakoshi legacy as a Kumite and Kata Champion at the highest levels of competition Sensei Kevin Funakoshi is now dedicated to bring out the maximum potential from the current generation of Karate students. Sensei Kevin Funakoshi also conducts seminars and examinations here in USA and internationally to affiliate schools as well as non-affiliate clubs.

Notable Highlights:
* 50 years Shotokan Karate
* 8th Dan Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association
* Cousin of Gichin Funakoshi “Father of Modern Karate”
* Eldest Son of Kenneth Funakoshi “Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame”
* 1984 Ozawa Cup (Las Vegas inv) Open Kumite Champion
* 1983 World Karate Congress Kumite Champion Open Styles
* 1983 Hawaii Karate Congress Fighter of the Year All Styles
* 1987 USA Demo team to Japan National Games
* JKA Hawaii  Kumite and Kata Grand Champion
* KAH Kumite and Kata Grand Champion
* FSKA Kumite and Kata Grand Champion

9th Dan

Camp Carter International Karate Association

                                                              California, USA

with Yamaguchi Sensei (The Cat) 1967

8th Dan

Camp Carter International Karate Association (CCIKA)

London, England

2018 – Hanshi John F. Kennedy

He is a global ambassador for CCIKA Karate as a Hanshi 8th Dan Black Belt.
John F Kennedy BSc FIDM (Hanshi 8th Dan)”

Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter is the chief instructor and head of Camp Carter International Karate Association … started the first CCIKA school at the Alviso Community Center in the city of San Jose, California, in 2002. He has since expanded CCIKA to more than ten community centers, public schools, and private institutions throughout the Bay Area. CCIKA also has affiliates in England, Philippines, China, Mexico, Italy, Korea, Okinawa, Canada and Sri Lanka.

Goju Kai was the first martial arts style attended by Sensei Carter when he was 9 years old. At a young age of 6,Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter had the chance to sit in the Dojo to watch the great Gogen Yamaguchi from Okinawa teach classes to his older cousin and wondered when he could one day learn. Meeting Yamaguchi Sensei was a great beginning. Hanshi Ralph Percelle and Shihan Cornell Watson started a Northern California community Goju Kai class in the late 60’s.

In 1981, Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter studied under the Japan Karate Association (JKA) with Yokota Sensei in Mountain View, California. Sensei Hajime Yokota is an athletic, old school, traditional, Shotokan karate teacher. His instructors include Sensei T. Okazaki, Sensei M. Nakayama, and Sensei K. Enoeda – direct lineage to the purest interpretations of Shotokan’s founder Sensei Gichin Funakoshi. After winning JKA Regional Championships in Colorado, USA, Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter continued to explore other martial styles and special training. In 1995 Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter started training with Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association (FSKA), training directly under Shihan Funakoshi. Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter developed a non-stop training spirit to learn all he could to be a great martial arts student.

Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter became the first American Black Belt to win a Gold Medal in Kumite (fighting) at the World Shotokan Championship Karate Tournament in Portugal (2000) and has won many local, state and national championships through his many years of training.

In 2009 Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter traveled to South Korea to visit the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters) to participate in the World Taekwondo Expo and tour the countryside. Training  with Grandmaster William Kim and in Hawaii for many years involved in private classes and local tournaments and events, awarded 6th Dan by Grand Master William Kim. Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter was elected Public Relations Committee Chairman for California Unified Taekwondo Association (CUTA) and the Northern California Taekwondo Association (NCTA) and was selected bodyguard to the President of the Kukkiwon in Northern California at the Kukkiwon Masters Instructor Training course in Oakland, California. The President of the Kukkiwon presented Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter with a Medal of Appreciation and Honor for the service performed during his stay.

In 2011 Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter became Ambassador to the World Taekwondo Martial Arts Council (MTMAC), a segment of Kukkiwon headquarted in South Korea, to promotes the goodwill and good spirit of the Taekwondo Martial system throughout the world.

Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter was appointed as the CUTA “Jurisdiction Director for Northern California 2013-2015″ under CUTA President: Jun Yoon.

On March 23, 2013 with all the dedication and hard work in Taekwondo and Martial Arts throughout the world, Grand Master Joong Nam and The World HanMooKwan Taekwondo Federation in Korea awarded 8th Dan Taekwondo to Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter.

In January 2015, MooDukKwan award for 9th Dan was presented to Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter from Grand Master Choi, Daegu City, Korea.

Grandmaster/Hanshi James Carter was born on the East Coast of the United States and moved to Northern California when he was very young. His grandmother often told him stories of his great grandmother who is a Korean woman who his great grandfather met while stationed in a missionary camp. Although he never met his great grandmother, he believes his caring personality and warrior spirit comes from her.

April 28, 2018, Hanshi James Carter – CCIKA – Shotokan Karate.