Our History

Established in 1966

Honolulu, Hawaii

Founder and president, Sensei Chuzo Kotaka, established the International Karate Federation (IKF) in 1966 in Honolulu, Hawaii.  He was born on November 11, 1941 in Hyogoken, Japan.  He began his karate training at the age of seven under Sensei Genryu Kimura. Towards the end of his high school career he also learned under a well-known master named Soke Shogo Kuniba. 

     In 1962, Sensei Kotaka won the All Japan Karate Championship, the most prestigious karate tournament in Japan, even to this today.  The All Japan Championship title was his most notable accomplishment but there were many other prestigious titles he won.  He won the West All Japan title from 1962-63 and the All Japan Seishinkai from 1960-62.  He was also nominated as Co-MVP in 1960 along with Master Tetsuhiko Asai. This tournament had brought together the best fighters from each of the 4 major styles at the Osaka Namba Furitsu Taikai.

    In 1965, Sensei Kotaka, at the age of 23, came to Hawaii on a goodwill tour to teach karate around world.  Master Chojiro Tani, founder of Shukokai, asked Sensei Kotaka if he would like to become a professional karate teacher. Kotaka Sensei went through a rigorous teaching and training schedule for over one year before he was allowed to travel abroad.   His first stop was in Honolulu, Hawaii and then he had plans to go to Australia and South Africa in the years to come.  Sensei Kotaka fell in love with the island of Oahu and decided to stay there permanently.  After one year on Oahu he decided to make Hawaii his home.  In 1966, International Karate Federation (IKF) was established, and the style Kotaka-Ha Shito-ryu was born. 

    Since the opening of IKF's first dojo, Kotaka-Ha Shito-Ryu has grown statewide, to the continental United States, Japan, and India.  Sensei Kotaka has produced some of the highest level athletes among the elite karate world.  IKF has been the only karate school in the United States to produce two WKF World Champions. Since the year 2000, IKF has produced medals in each of the last 6 WKF World Championships that no other school has been able to do.

IKF PRINCIPLES

1. Henceforth, I shall faithfully train to strengthen my mind and body.

2. I am willing to endure rigorous training to achieve my goal.

3. As my strength increases, I shall seek to cultivate a gentle heart.

   1. I shall not use my skill outside the dojo except in the most extreme circumstance.

4. At all times I will try to avoid inflicting injury upon another person.

5. I will not brag about my skill nor use it maliciously.

6. I shall train with the spirit of humility.       

IKF PHILOSOPHY

        The International Karate Federation believes and teaches a core of traditional values.  The values of Respect, Self-Discipline, Dedication, and Humility are the basis of our karate teachings.  IKF is well known for its high-level instruction and world-class athletes, but most notably, for its disciplined students.  We achieve this by establishing a hard work ethic and building a solid foundation.  We first emphasize learning the fundamentals and basic techniques of karate and then build our way up from there. Our students are well versed in all three major areas of competition: Kata, Kumite, and Kobudo.