I started my karate organization, Japan Shotokan Karate Association on 10th February 1999. It is, of course, based on one of the shotokan styles in Japan but also includes " Abe style " within it.

Let me introduce you to the years preceeding this.

I started Karate and Judo training at 15 years old. When i was 4th dan I entered the Japan Karate Association in 1958 where I met Sensei Masatoshi Nakayama who became my grand master, along with many other Sensei. Sensei Nakayama told me that he was taught not only by Sensei Gichin Funakoshi but also by Yoshitaka Funakoshi his son. So my style of karate has a lot of influence from Sensei Yoshitaka too. The wide foot stance presently used and low stance reflect this. After i became an instructor at the JKA in 1965 and belonged to the instructors section at the JKA. in 1985, I became director of Qualification and from 1990 Technical Director of the JKA Matsuno section, from which I retired on 31 January 1999.

During my active years, I took 3rd place in the first JKA National Championship and participated in the 2nd World Championship in Paris, as Captain of the Japanese team. I won first place in the JKA International Freindship Tournament in 1973, and 1st place in the 2nd and 3rd JKF National Championships as representative of Tokyo. I have always thought that competition was one form of practice of Budo and was useful for improving techniques. I feel however that Karate nowadays is centred only on winning competitions and that everybody trains forwards this end. This is far from the truth. I believe that the true purpose of Karate lies in daily training and the goal is to develop a strong mind and body. Through this training, and furthermore to contribute to society in general. I came to establish the JSKA to realise this true Karate purpose. The JSKA Karate philosophy 1. Learn Self-defence as a martial art 2. Improve technique as a sport 3. Enjoy as a means for developing a healthy body and mind

I hope that Karareka who understand these philosphies will join us.

Keigo Abe.