The IJKA Noticeboard .................... Last update 6-04-2023
Continuing the legacy......
IJKA UK are pleased and delighted to confirm that IJKA International Chief Instructor Utsumi Takato Sensei will be visiting the UK in 2023.
IJKA UK extends a warm open welcome to any karateka wishing to join us, to make Utsumi Takato Sensei’s first visit to the UK memorable for IJKA UK and IJKA International.
TRAINING COSTS:
IJKA Karateka: £60 for two days / £35 for one day
IJKA Karateka under 14: £40 for two days / £25 for one day
Non-IJKA Karateka: £70 for two days / £40 for one day
Non-IJKA Karateka under 14: £45 for two days / £30 for one day
To obtain a booking form please contact: secretary@ijka.uk
Seminar places are limited so it is advisable to book early to avoid dissapointment.
Osu, IJKA UK.
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October 2023 - Continuing the Legacy
IJKA UK are pleased and delighted to confirm that IJKA International Chief Instructor Utsumi Takato Sensei will be visiting the UK in 2023.
Takato Sensei expressed a personal desire to visit the spiritual home of the late Kato Shihan’s IJKA for his very first European seminar since appointment as IJKA International Chief Instructor, following the sad loss of IJKA’s founder.
IJKA UK extends a warm open welcome to any karateka wishing to join us, to make Utsumi Takato Sensei’s first visit to the UK memorable for IJKA UK and IJKA International.
Please watch for further updates.
Osu, IJKA UK.
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Rest In Peace ~ Ron Sensei 7th Dan IJKA
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of IJKA UK Honarary Chairman, Sensei Ron Bellwood 7th Dan, on 29th December 2022 following a brief illness at the age of 92.
Ron Sensei, you will be missed but not forgotten.
LATEST NEWS ~
The IJKA Technical Committee ~ Online Meetings and Training
IJKA country representatives, country chief instructors, Shihankai, board and technical committee members, Kenshusei learners and graduates.
The IJKA Technical Committee invites you to participate in monthly online meetings and training.
Download details ~ Online Training
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The latest Shotokan Karate Magazine features a Tribute to a Karate Master ~ Sadashige Kato 10th Dan IJKA
Issue 147 March 2021 is now available to purchase from SKM. This is a magazine published quarterly in England.
Please visit the SKM Website for details of how to purchase.
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Dan Gradings
The new rules for Dan gradings have been officiially announced and can be found in the Dan Grading letter
Utsumi Takato International Chief Instructor IJKA
Respectfully asks in his letter for Country Chief Instructors, IJKA dojo Chief Instructors to complete the form below and submit via e-mail to
Note ~The letter and form can be opened in pdf format by clicking the images.
Letter from Utsumi Takato ~
IJKA Data form ~
IJKA Highlights over the years
Hirokazu Kanazawa 1931 - 2019
With very deep sadness Kato Shihan would like to inform all IJKA karateka that Hirokazu Kanazawa Shihan sadly passed away on 8th December 2019 at the young age of 88.
Hirokazu Kanazawa Shihan was a strong influence on Kato Shihan's karate and will be sadly missed by the worldwide karate family.
Kato Shihan's IJKA sends deepest condolence to all his family at this sad time.
Rest in peace Sensei.
Hirokazu Kanazawa Shihan demonstrating with Kato Shihan.
2020 EVENTS.....
Covid 19 has caused all future events to be put on hold. Please check back regularly and also see IJKA Facebook pages for updates.
Please also visit the IJKA Facebook page for the latest association news.
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IJKA Event Highlights
2020 Ireland
2019 Ireland
2019 England
2019 Hungary
2019 England
2018
2017
2016
2014
2013
2012
2011
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A NEW IJKA VIDEO WAS RELEASED ON 6th JANUARY 2019 ~ WATCH IT NOW.....
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Do you have seminar information that needs to be seen by the worldwide IJKA community?
Send your seminar documents to the to get them uploaded to the IJKA website.
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2017 ~ Rest in Peace
We inform the IJKA community with deep sorrow, that Mr. József Kovács, President of IJKA International, passed away on the 29th of May. We will miss him all the time.
Mr. József Kovács
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IJKA News 2014
IJKA Japan
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A video interview with Kato Shihan, recorded in 2010, has now been released Watch it now
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2013 was a special year for Kato Shihan Find out why
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Google IJKA……………..we’re No.1
Thanks to the IJKA web-master and his web-kohai Windy Dragon, the IJKA Honbu Website is now No.1 in a worldwide Google search for IJKA.
Domo arigato Touchline Solutions
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IJKA Ireland Spring Seminar 2020
IJKA Ireland hosted a Seminar with Hanshi Sadashige Kato 9th Dan ~ IJKA World Chief Instructor at their Honbu dojo in Fermoy, County Cork, Southern Ireland on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd February 2020.
Kato Shihan was assisted by Paul Kotowski 6th Dan and Milena Galabova 5th Dan.
The Irish Honbu dojo also celebrated 50 continuous years of karate in Fermoy. Congratulations Fermoy
IJKA Ireland extends a huge thank you to Kato Shihan for the fabulous seminar.
IJKA Ireland would also like to send huge thanks to all karateka, including their friends from the UK, that attended the seminar and enjoyed many hours of fabulous instruction.
IJKA Ireland now have fond and lasting memories of Kato Shihan’s final seminar at the Fermoy dojo. Rest in peace Sensei
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IJKA Ireland hosted a Seminar with Hanshi Sadashige Kato 9th Dan ~ IJKA World Chief Instructor at their dojo in Cork, County Cork, Southern Ireland on Saturday 23rd November and Sunday 24th November 2019.
Kato Shihan was assisted by Milena Galabova 5th Dan.
IJKA Ireland extends a huge thank you to Kato Shihan for the fabulous seminar.
IJKA Ireland would also like to send huge thanks to all karateka that attended the seminar and enjoyed many hours of fabulous instruction.
IJKA Ireland looks forward to Kato Shihan’s next visit. Domo Arigato Sensei
Some senior Irish karateka that attended the seminar.
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IJKA England hosted a Seminar with Hanshi Sadashige Kato 9th Dan ~ IJKA World Chief Instructor at their dojo in the Nunnery Wood Sports Complex, Worcester.
Kato Shihan was assisted by Milena Galabova 5th Dan and Paul Kotowski 6th Dan.
Worcester Shotokan Karate Club (WSKC) extends a huge thank you to Kato Shihan for the fabulous seminar held on Saturday October 12th 2019
The club would also like to send huge thanks to all karateka that attended the seminar and enjoyed 4 hours of fabulous instruction.
IJKA England and Worcester Shotokan Karate Club now have fond and lasting memories of Kato Shihan’s final UK seminar. Rest in peace Sensei
Ossu ~ Steve ~ Chief Instructor Worcester Shotokan Karate Club ~ 4th Dan IJKA
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Summer Camp and Instructors Course July 2019
IJKA Hungary hosted a Summer Camp and Instructors Course with Hanshi Sadashige Kato 9th Dan ~ IJKA World Chief Instructor on 4th to 7th July 2019.
The Instructors course and Seminar were very well attended by karateka from Hungary, Bulgaria, Russia, England, Ireland, India, Sri Lanka and Germany.
A huge thank you to IJKA Hungary for fabulous organisation, which included many pick ups at Budapest Airport and an associated 5 hour round trip from Ozd for the Hungarian drivers.
Photo shows afternoon Geri training outside the new Ozd Dojo under hot clear blue Hungarian sky.
The following video taken on the opening day of the event is now a lovely way to remember Kato Shihan the genius of Shotokan Karate-Do ~
With deepest respect Seminar Ozd Hungary
Domo arigato IJKA Hungary
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IJKA England Seminar March 2019
IJKA England hosted a Seminar and Dan grading with Hanshi Sadashige Kato 9th Dan ~ IJKA World Chief Instructor.
Worcester Shotokan Karate Club (WSKC) hosted the seminar on Saturday 23rd March 2019.
The seminar was held in the Dance Studio at Nunnery Wood Sports Complex, Worcester ~ WSKC’s honbu dojo.
Fabulous instruction by Shihan Kato 9th Dan and demonstrations by Milena Galabova 5th Dan.
The seminar was attended by karateka of all ranks from 7th Dan to beginners who came from England, Ireland and Scotland for the privilege of training under Shihan Kato.
IJKA England now have three new Shodans and IJKA Scotland a Rokudan. Congratulations to all.
Worcester Shotokan Karate club would like to extend thanks to all those that supported the seminar. Domo arigato.
Worcester Shotokan Karate Club look forward to Shihan's next visit.
Want to train with us at Worcester? Visit our website for details of when and where we train.
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The 2018 Event
IJKA Bulgaria International Seminar 2018
A big thank you to IJKA Bulgaria who hosted the Shidon Gasshuku in Sliven, Bulgaria on 24th to 26th August followed by the IJKA International Seminar on 27th to 31st August 2018 in Sozopol, Bulgaria.
Sadashige Kato Shihan 9th Dan, World Chief Instructor of the IJKA presented a sensational Gasshuku followed by the five day seminar, assisted by Sensei Utsumi Takato ~ 6th dan IJKA Vice World Chief Instructor and Chief Instructor for IJKA Japan.
The worldwide IJKA conmmunity look forward to the next one.... Domo Arigato Sensei
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The 2017 Event IJKA 2017 World Karate Championships
A big thank you to IJKA Ireland who hosted the 2017 IJKA World Karate Championships and seminar on 6th to 9th July 2017 in Cork, Southern Ireland.
The event was a great success and a credit to the long preparation made by IJKA Ireland's senior karateka.
Sensei Utsumi Takato ~ 6th dan Chief Instructor for IJKA Japan, taught on the two day seminar held before the championships and treated all the attending international karateka to some exciting demonstrations of his power and agility.
The worldwide IJKA conmmunity look forward to the next one....
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IJKA Japan News ~ 9th May 2014
New IJKA instructor in Japan
Kato Shihan is pleased to announce the appointment of Sensei Utsumi Takato - 6th dan ~ new IJKA instructor in Japan. 
Sensei Utsumi Takato ~ 6th dan
Sensei Utsumi Takato ~ Demo 1
Sensei Utsumi Takato ~ Demo 2
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An interview with Sadashige Kato Sensei 9th Dan, Chief Instructor of the International Japan Karate Association.
Enjoy the video interview with the genius of the modern Shotokan Karate Do.
Kato Shihan interview
With grateful thanks to:
Latchezar Nenov - IJKA Bulgaria chief instructor.
Gligor Gligoroski - IJKA Macedonia chief instructor.
Tsvetomir Gospodinov - Funakoshi Dojo instructor.
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2016 IJKA Highlights..........
IJKA Japan hosted the IJKA Japan Cup in September 2016 and extended a warm invitation to all IJKA members and friends of ISKF in Yokohama, Honshu Island, Japan
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IJKA Ireland Autumn Seminar 2016 ~ Galway
IJKA Ireland held their annual Autumn seminar in Galway, Southern Ireland and would like to thank Kato Shihan for a superb two day master class in Shotokan Karate and all IJKA karateka that found time to attend the 2016 autumn seminar including their overseas visitors who travelled from England.
Everyone at the Galway dojo looks forward to Shihan's next visit.
Saturday night the course participants enjoyed fabulous Irish hospitality and food at the Park House Hotel, Galway.
The Park House Hotel Galway
Kato Shihan accepts a gift from Brendon Sensei (Elvis) at the Park House Hotel, Galway
He's all shook up.....!!!
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2014 IJKA highlights..........
IJKA Ireland Seminar
IJKA Ireland presented their annual autumn seminar with Hanshi Sadashige Kato, 9th Dan, IJKA Chief Instructor on Saturday 1st and and Sunday 2nd November 2014.
IJKA Ken Bu Kan Fermoy Karate Club were hosting this event.
Brian Toomey Sensei IJKA Ken Bu Kan Fermoy Karate Club would like to thank Kato Shihan for a superb two day master class in Shotokan Karate and all IJKA karateka that found time to attend the 2014 autumn seminar including their overseas visitors who travelled from England.
Everyone at the Fermoy dojo looks forward to Shihan's next visit.
Kato Shihan and IJKA karateka ~ Fermoy dojo 2014
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IJKA Denmark Seminar
IJKA Denmark presented a seminar with Hanshi Sadashige Kato, 9th Dan, IJKA Chief Instructor on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th September 2014.
IJKA Karate-Do Gentofte were hosting this event.
Lasse Kristensson Sensei IJKA Karate-Do Gentofte would like to thank Kato Shihan for a superb two day master class in Shotokan Karate and all IJKA karateka that found time to attend the 2014 Seminar including their first overseas visitor who travelled from IJKA Worcester, England.
Everyone at the Gentofte dojo looks forward to Shihan's next visit.
Kato Shihan and IJKA karateka ~ Gentofte dojo 2014
Kato Shihan and IJKA karateka ~ Gentofte dojo 2014
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IJKA England Seminar
IJKA England presented a seminar with Hanshi Sadashige Kato, 9th Dan, IJKA Chief Instructor on Sunday 13th April 2014.
IJKA Buckinghamshire were hosting this event and extended a warm open welcome to karateka from any association.
A grading was held for eligible IJKA karateka during the course.
IJKA Buckinghamshire Seminar April 2014
Kato Shihan in action ~ JKA Buckinghamshire Honbo Dojo April 2014
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2013 IJKA highlights..........
IJKA World Open Championship 2013
Thanks to IJKA Bulgaria for hosting the IJKA World Open Championship, Asai Sensei Memorial Cup and Kato Shihan’s 70 years anniversary seminar during 18th - 21st July 2013 in Burgas, Black Sea, Bulgaria.
Including a beach party to celebrate Kato Shihan's 70th Birthday
2013 Seminar ~ Burgas, Bulgaria
A selection of photos from the World Championships, enjoy.
Find more photos in the Photo Gallery
More World championship photos are now available for view on the IJKA Facebook page.
World Championship country line up
World Championship country line up
The Hosts
Seminar training
Seminar training
Find more photos in the Photo Gallery
More World Championship photos are now available for view on the IJKA Facebook page.
Shihan at 70 ~
The Last Samurai
Find more photos of Shihan at 70 in the Photo Gallery and Celebrate 70
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IJKA Turkey Seminar in Istanbul with Hanshi Sadashige Kato 9th Dan, IJKA Chief Instructor
A few photos of the event held on 6th - 7th Sepember 2013~
2012 IJKA highlights..........
Bulgarian 2012 Mountain Training Summer Camp
IJKA Bulgaria presented the 2012 Mountain Training Summer Camp
Byalo Kamane Resort Complex
peak Chevira and peak Alexitsa. It is located 8 km north west from the impressive ancient Thracian complex Starosel.
Guest Instructors
Shihan Sadashige Kato, 9th Dan – IJKA World Chief Instructor
Gligor Gligoroski, 4th Dan - Chief instructor ~ IJKA Macedonia
Instructors
Latchezar Nenov, 5th dan
Veselin Georgiev, 3rd dan
Anton Vandev, 3rd dan
Vladimir Vetev, 3rd dan
Svetla Kostova, 3rd dan
2011 IJKA highlights..........
The Dragons' Japan Tour 2011 was an opertunity for some English and Welsh IJKA karateka to visit Japan with Kato Shihan acting as guide and mentor. The full story of the tour can be found via the Photo link below.......
Oriental Dragon (airborne) defends against Windy Dragon at Tosakimizu, Shikoku Island, Southern Japan 29-9-11
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IJKA Ireland held the annual Irish Summer Camp in June 2011 at Clonea Strand, Dungarvan.
This course continues to have the 'Luck of the Irish' as yet again the weather was fantastic, enabling all classes to be held on the beach, in between the tides.
Kato Shihan and some of the students who attended the 2011 Irish Summer Camp
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Lake Balaton Seminar.pdf (File size 406KB)