World   JKA   Karate   Association

Frequently  Asked  Questions  (FAQ's) 

     What is karate?

• Karate is a martial art developed from Chinese kenpo (in particular, Southern Chinese kung fu) and indigenous fighting methods from the Ryūkyū Islands. It is primarily a striking art, featuring punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques, but grappling, joint manipulations, locks, restraints, throws, and vital point striking are also taught, depending on the style. A karate practitioner is called a karate-ka.

     What is Shotokan?

• Shotokan is a school of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Yoshitaka Funakoshi (1906–1945). Gichin Funakoshi is widely recognized as having brought karate from Okinawa to mainland Japan. Shōtō, meaning "pine waves", was Funakoshi's pen-name, which he used in his poetic and philosophical writings and messages to his students. The Japanese kan means "house" or "hall". In honor of their sensei, Funakoshi's students created a sign reading shōtō-kan which was placed above the entrance of the hall where Funakoshi taught.

     What are the origins of the WJKA?

• The WJKA was put on an international board in 1994 in Brussels because many high ranking non-Japanese instructors felt that karate-ka from both sides of the JKA (as prior to political divisions) should be able to train together and test together in a non-political environment.

     What sort of karate does the WJKA teach?  

• The WJKA teaches the traditional and methodological JKA-style karate of the 1960's through to the early 1980's when the JKA was at its technical peak and under the leadership of Masatoshi Nakayama. Additional to this basic syllabus WJKA also teaches Asai-ryu.

     What is the WJKA’s philosophy of karate?

• At the WJKA, karate is a way of life based on Bushido, where the body, mind and spirit are developed concurrently through training in kihon, kumite and kata. Hence the practitioner learns to both control and to relinquish control to the movements until the techniques are performed without thought while remaining focused. In essence, the body remembers how to move while the mind remembers how to be still. As a result, one becomes the embodiment of true karate because this method of training exemplifies a natural and effortless action where peace is possible through the perfect unity of mind, body and spirit.

     What are the reference materials?  

• The reference materials used by the WJKA are as follows:
• 1. Best karate Series volume 1-11 (author Masatoshi Nakayama)
• 2. Original JKA Kata series volume 1-9 (General Supervisor Masatoshi Nakayama)
• 3. Standard Kata volume 1-3 (Technical Bureau of the Japan Karate Association)

     Why is WJKA different from other organizations?  

       The WJKA is an alliance whose primary aim is to form a circle of friendship in the spirit of karate that would surpasses all boundaries and promote the understanding and technical

       enhancement of Shotokan karate. We believe that as an alliance we can preserve the values and principals that made Shotokan karate the paramount karate style through out

       the world.

     What opportunities of karate growth does the WJKA offer?

       The WJKA presents you with an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and groups, while both avoiding politics and being able to share information with each other

       regardless of race, religion or nationality. Above all else, we believe that karate is a martial science and a way of life.

     What is expected of me if I join?

• The following are a list of requirements you are required to follow upon joining the WJKA.
• 1. You are expected to be committed to your karate training
• 2. Attend classes on a regular basis
• 3.  Give your karate training your maximum effort
• 4.  Work hard during practice
• 5.  Adhere to our technical standards and reference materials
• 6.  Demonstrate respect and humility within the dojo
• 7.  Pay membership dues and other fees on time

     What will training involve?

• A typical karate session usually begins with a warm-up, followed by the various training exercises. The exercises are divided into three main categories: kihon (basic techniques), in which you learn the basic blocks, punches, kicks, stances, etc. of karate; kata (forms), in which you practice and physically remember the various kihon learned; and kumite (sparring), where your kihon and kata techniques are matched against a real opponent. As your skill level increases, so will the difficulty and degree of the exercises.

   How do I become a member of the WJKA?

• Joining the WJKA requires contacting WJKA H.Q.  
• The WJKA offers two kinds of membership:
• 1. Branch Membership, for those wishing to affiliate their Organization or karate group.
• 2. Individual Membership, for people interested in joining the WJKA and do not belong to a branch.

     Does the WJKA teach seminars frequently?

• Yes.
• WJKA teaches seminars upon request from dojo's or federations.

     Who do I contact to sponsor a seminar?

• To sponsor a seminar, please contact WJKA directly.

     Does WJKA accept other organizational ranks?

• The WJKA accepts ranks from main-line JKA organizations (JKA, IJKA, JSKA, JKS, SKIF, KWF, ISKF) providing the prospective members becomes a registered member of the WJKA (branch or individual) and pay the applicable Dan registration fees.
• Note:
  WJKA only recognizes International WJKA registered Dan grades/ certificates.
  National WJKA dan grades / licenses are no longer valid and must be reregistered with WJKA HQ in order to be recognized.
  Membership is compulsory, to register please contact WJKA HQ.

     How can rank be transferred if not issued by a main-line JKA organization?

• If your rank was not issued by a main-line JKA organization it can be transferred as follows:
• 1. Perform and successfully pass the rank confirmation evaluation upon initial membership.
• 2. If the rank confirmation evaluation could not be performed at the time of membership as a result of unforeseen circumstances, the applicant is strongly recommended to perform the evaluation within 1-year of membership.

     Does the WJKA mandate its applicants to transfer ranks or take the rank confirmation

     evaluation?

• Absolutely NOT.
• The WJKA will only transfers rank or allow an applicant to take the rank confirmation evaluation upon applicants request at initial membership.

     Is there a time limit for rank transfer or rank confirmation evaluation?

• Yes.
• Ranks can only be transferred or an applicant can only take the rank confirmation evaluation with 1-year of initial membership.

     What is a rank confirmation evaluation?

• A rank confirmation evaluation is a specialized examination set by the WJKA Shihankai to determine the technical level  of an individual entering the organization.

     Who conducts the rank conformation evaluation?

• The evaluation is always conducted by an official examiner and the results are discussed by the Shihankai on an international level before the results are made public.

     Where is the WJKA HQ located?

• The WJKA HQ is located at Bredaseweg 42, 4702 KV Roosendaal, the Netherlands.

     Can I train at the WJKA HQ Dojo?

• Yes! WJKA HQ is always very happy to welcome you as their guest. Every year, a number of members from around the world visit HQ and train for a few days or weeks at headquarters. It’s always one of the highlights of their karate experience. If you are interested, in training at the WJKA HQ send them an email at info@wjka.org with your specific questions.