Shukokai Karate

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For centuries in Japan, unarmed combat was a vital skill passed down through generations—from parent to child, and teacher to student. Over time, this evolved into the disciplined and respected martial art we know today as Karate, meaning “The Way of the Empty Hand.”

In 1946, Sensei Chojiro Tani began teaching a new style of Karate called Shukokai (“The Way for All”) at a dojo in Kobe, Japan. Shukokai was developed with a strong focus on body mechanics, featuring a relatively high stance that increases speed and mobility. It is especially known for its double hip twist, a technique that maximizes striking power—making it one of the most forceful styles of Karate.

Tani’s top student, Sensei Shigeru Kimura, carried Shukokai beyond Japan. In 1965, he traveled to Africa to teach the style, then moved through Europe and finally settled in the United States in 1970 at just 29 years old. During this time, Kimura continued to refine and evolve Shukokai, emphasizing speed, precision, and devastating power. He taught at the renowned Yonezuka’s Cranford Dojo for two years and created the first Shukokai World Tournament in 1981.

Sensei Kimura passed away at the age of 54 in 1995. His teacher, Sensei Tani, passed on 11 January 1998. Their legacy lives on through students and instructors worldwide.

After Kimura’s death, his influence continued through Kimura Shukokai International (KSI), led by Shihan Eddie Daniels. Among his students were Sensei Chris and Sensei Katie Simpson, who trained within KSI for over two decades.

In October 2018, they founded the Shukokai Karate Academy, staying true to the core values and techniques of Kimura Shukokai. They continue to build on Kimura’s legacy, focusing on technical excellence, mindset, and martial ethos.

Originally founded in 2005 in Kingswood, Maidstone, Kent Karate became Shukokai Karate Academy under Sensei Chris and Sensei Katie Simpson—both 5th Dan black belts.

• Sensei Katie began training in 1995 at the age of 8, alongside her best friend at primary school—and never looked back.
   
• Sensei Chris started in 2000, after years of watching classes through the dojo window before finally stepping onto the mat.
   

As a father-daughter team, they teach six days a week, run student competitions, and attend both National and International tournaments. They are first-aid trained and enhanced DBS checked to ensure a safe and professional training environment.

All classes are mixed-age, welcoming students from 4 years old to adult. While Karate is a disciplined martial art, classes are designed to be fun, engaging, and fitness-focused.

• Learn basic stances, punches, kicks, and blocks.
• Fitness training and self-defence.
• Bag and pad work, leading to sparring techniques and ring craft.
• Kata (sequences of movements) and their real-life applications.
• Karate etiquette: politeness, respect, self-control, and teamwork.
   

“The ultimate aim of the martial arts lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.”
 

Young students especially benefit from games and interactive training to build skills while having fun.

Fight Club is for more experienced students, focusing on sparring and competition techniques.
Beginners may join after successfully passing their first grading—typically after 3 to 4 months.

Advanced students will train in complex Kata and high-level sparring techniques under National and International Champion Sensei Katie Simpson.

Students from other Karate styles are welcome. They will be assessed and placed at an appropriate level by the instructors.

Gradings occur every 4–6 months for junior belts and less frequently for senior belts.
Progression through belts is as follows:

White → White/Yellow → Yellow → Orange → Green → Blue → Purple → Brown → Black

Grading depends on a student’s progress, attitude, commitment, and attendance.

Training must be booked and paid for online in advance.
Please contact Sensei Chris, Sensei Katie, or Sensei Steve for current fee details.

All students must obtain an annual membership with Shukokai Karate Academy England upon starting.

To begin training, wear tracksuit bottoms and a loose-fitting t-shirt.
Once committed, students should purchase a Gi (Karate uniform), which must be clean and pressed for each class.

You will be warmly welcomed into any of our dojos.

Oss,
Sensei Chris & Sensei Katie