SKIF Shotokan Karate International Federation (SKIF) and SKIF-USA
In May 1948, the Japan Karate Association (JKA) was founded by the students of the founding karate Master, Gichin Funakoshi, and the standards of training (Kihon, Kata, Kumite) and competition were established.
Over time, several of the original shotokan karate masters split from the JKA organization.
One of these was Hirokazu Kanazawa, known as “Kancho’, who founded the Shotokan Karate International Federation (SKIF). SKIF has become one of the world’s largest and finest karate organizations with over 2 million members in more than 100 countries.
Kanazawa is the protegé of the late headmaster of the Shotokan style, Matsatoshi Nakayama, and is one of the few remaining karate masters privileged to have studied under Master Gichin Funakoshi himself.
Currently, Kanazawa Kancho, in his late 70’s, is Chairman and Chief Instructor of the SKIF, and is the only living Shotokan Master to hold the grade of 10th Dan.
Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation-United States of America (SKIF-USA) was formed in 1998 and is affiliated directly with Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation (SKIF), based in Japan.
The website of SKIF in Japan is here: www.skifworld.com.
SKIF-USA is a private, not-for-profit, educational karate organization based in the United States of America. It is dedicated to the growth and development of SKIF in the United States.
In the United States, the SKIF is represented by SKIF-USA, a representative organization controlled by a volunteer board of directors who are elected by its members. The board of directors elects officers and appoints staff to manage the day-to-day affairs of the organization.
Our dojo is associated with SKIF-USA, and Sensei Barazi is a director of this organization. Website: www.skifusa.com.
