What is KDS?

The KDS is a martial art organisation committed to practising and teaching Karate-do as taught by Master Mitsusuke Harada. The style is open to anyone with a genuine interest in learning karate.

The KDS is directly overseen by Master Mitsusuke Harada, who is the Principal Instructor of the KDS Organization. The KDS was established in the UK in 1965 by Master Mitsusuke Harada. The Chrysanthemum logo and the KDS abbreviation are the officially recognized trademarks (TM) of Master Mitsusuke Harada's Organization, the KDS.

Trademark

No other martial arts group should use either of these two legal trademarks, especially in relation to Master Harada and his practice. Only those affiliated to the KDS have technical links with Master Harada. Others using the Shotokai name have no technical links with the KDS.

KDS Organization

The KDS is an organization committed to practising and teaching Karate-do as taught by Master Mitsusuke Harada and the style is open to anyone with a genuine interest in learning karate.

The KDS was established in 1965 by Mitsusuke Harada. With his own organization now formed, Master Harada distanced his organization from the many political wranglings of other martial arts groups at that time. Harada Sensei, as he was referred to by his students, could now focus on the KDS, without outside influence. Therefore concentrating on the true essence of Karate-do, its practice.

Karate is a form of self defense that does not rely on using any weapons. Karate just trains you to defend yourself using your own body movement. It is fun to learn and regular training improves your fitness and flexibility as well as your concentration and dexterity.

Master Harada was awarded a 5th Dan (1956) personally by Gichin Funakoshi (O'Sensei) the founder of modern day Karate-do on mainland Japan. Master Harada has sought no higher grade since then. The grade of 5th Dan is the highest award given by the KDS. A tradition which was inherited from O'Sensei who accepted no higher than this.

The KDS is a non-profit organization. Monies are channeled back into the organization for the betterment of its members.

Shotokai and KDS Karate

The name "Shotokai" means Shoto's group (Shoto being the pen name of Gichin Funakoshi).

The Shotokai were officially formed by the Funakoshi family, in order to, take care of Gichin Funakoshi's funeral arrangements. It contained his closest and most senior students, to whom he trusted the continual development of his Shotokan Karate.

As a result of political and personal disputes after the passing of O'Sensei, the Shotokai remained as a group that taught and developed Karate-do, as Gichin Funakoshi had intended.

As a result, Shotokai has not embraced the sport or competition developments that have occurred in recent decades. Instead they have remained true to the original teachings of Karate-do, as O'Sensei wished.

Notable founder members of the Shotokai were seniors Shigeru Egami chief instructor at the Shotokan Dojo and Genshin Hironishi president of the Shotokai. At this time Master Harada was pioneering Shotokan Karate in Brazil. Due to close links with all three of the afore mentioned Masters he therefore naturally, became a member of the Shotokai from this time forth.

In 1965 Master Harada formed the KDS in order to teach orthodox Shotokan Karate as he had developed it, without political or technical influence from other groups.

You may begin to learn karate for a variety of different reasons: for self defence, to meet new people, keep fit