We are a member of the Takushoku Karate Association (TKA)
Our Dojo at Birtley is easily accessible from the A167 - Durham Road. There is amble free on-street (residential) parking and several bus stops are close by.
**We ask for students and parents to please be mindful of residents parking and not to block access**
A brief introduction to Karate, the KUGB and TKA
There are a number of different styles of karate but Shotokan is the most practised around the world. It was first demonstrated in Japan by its originator Gichin Funakoshi in 1921, Gichin built the first Shotokan dojo in Tokyo Japan in 1939 and continued to teach there until 1948 when ill health forced him to stop, he was then made an honouree head of the Japanese Karate Association which was an organisation set up by a number of his students designed to promote Shotokan Karate around the world, Gichin died in 1957 but his students who were now instructors continued to build the profile of Shotokan Karate and in 1965 four talented instructors arrived in the UK to give demonstrations.
Sensei Keinosuke Enoeda was one of the most talented karateka to arrive in England from Japan in the early 60's and founded the Karate Union of Great Britain in 1966. Sensei Enoeda continued as the head of the KUGB organisation until his death in 2003.
Karate means "Empty Hand" and Shotokan is a weapon-less martial art teaching punching, kicking and blocking however it goes much deeper than this, by also teaching confidence and respect, it is considered the traditional self defence.
The TKA - Takushoku Karate Association was founded in 2015 by Sensei Gordon Mathie, Sensei Mathie was a member of the KUGB for 30yrs, having served as a member of the Executive Committee, Chairman of the Scottish Region, Scottish National Coach for over 20yrs and achieving the black belt level of a 6th Dan.
'Restoring your Confidence & Belief'
Sensei Keinosuke Eneoda 9th Dan (1935-2003).
