is a style of
karate which was founded by Takayuki Kubota.
Gosoku stands for ''hard and fast'', which suggests a combination of techniques both from the fast and dynamic
Shōtōkan
is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Gigo (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi (1906–1945). Gichin Funakoshi was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing "karate do" throug ...
style as well as from the strength-focused
Gōjū-ryū
, Japanese for "hard-soft style", is one of the main traditional Okinawan styles of karate, featuring a combination of hard and soft techniques. Both principles, hard and soft, come from the famous martial arts book used by Okinawan masters du ...
style.
Background
The International Karate Association (IKA) was formed in
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and List of cities in Japan, largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, ...
,
Japan in 1953 for the purpose of teaching and promoting the Gosoku style of karate.
Gosoku-ryū, "the style of force with speed", incorporates the methods of Goju-ryū and Shotokan karate with
aikido
Aikido ( , , , ) is a modern Japanese martial art that is split into many different styles, including Iwama Ryu, Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai, Shodokan Aikido, Yoshinkan, Renshinkai, Aikikai and Ki Aikido. Aikido is now practiced in aroun ...
,
jujitsu, and
judo
is an unarmed modern Japanese martial art, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyclopedia Nipponica, "Judo"). ...
. It is applied so as to encompass any attacker from all angles.
In 1964, Kubota came to the United States. He was able to gather several talented young men to create the nucleus of the U.S. branch. Under Kubota's tutelage, the IKA has achieved wide recognition in the martial arts world. Members of the organization have won championship titles, including California state, U.S. national, and world championships. The IKA reaches worldwide with headquarters located in
Glendale, California.
Belt system
Advancement through the ranks, as marked by belt color, is a process signifying progressively greater control and coordination of mind and body. The length of time involved is largely dependent upon the dedication of the individual student.
The progressive ranks of karate are reflected in the different colored belts. There are two major classifications: the ranks of black belt are called dans, while all those below the rank of black belt are
kyus.
In Gosoku-ryū, there are ten kyu ratings, as follows:
After achieving shodan, or first degree black belt ranking, a
karateka
(; ; Okinawan pronunciation: ) is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tii'' in Okinawan) under the influence of Chinese martial arts, particularly Fujian ...
may progress further though the
dan
Dan or DAN may refer to:
People
* Dan (name), including a list of people with the name
** Dan (king), several kings of Denmark
* Dan people, an ethnic group located in West Africa
**Dan language, a Mande language spoken primarily in Côte d'Ivoi ...
ranks up to ju-dan, or tenth degree black belt.
The ju-dan sometimes wears a red belt to distinguish him or herself. Instructors that are 4th dan are sometimes awarded the title of "Shihan-Dai" (deputy master). Instructors that are 5th dan or higher are sometimes awarded the title of "Shihan" (master instructor). Title is not always awarded by rank alone. One must be an active instructor and be awarded the rank by Kubota.
Major differences from other styles
Gosoku-ryū is similar to
Shotokan
is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Gigo (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi (1906–1945). Gichin Funakoshi was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing "karate do" throug ...
karate. It differs from Shotokan in that it incorporates the linear power movements of Shotokan with the speed and soft circular motions of Gōjū-ryū. The meaning of Gosoku-Ryu is "Hard and fast". Emphasis is put on practical application and
sparring. Stances are generally shorter when in defensive positions and transition to longer stances when power moves are delivered. During kicks, including kihon, hands are kept in guard (and not spread aside). Gosoku-ryū teaches quick leg sweeps and take-downs; in
kumite
Kumite ( ja, 組手, literally "grappling hands") is one of the three main sections of karate training, along with kata and kihon. Kumite is the part of karate in which a person trains against an adversary.
Kumite can be used to develop a par ...
, attacks often end on the floor. Fast footwork which adds speed and power by utilizing the rotation of the hip makes Gosoku-ryū different from other styles. Gosoku-ryū also incorporates
aikido
Aikido ( , , , ) is a modern Japanese martial art that is split into many different styles, including Iwama Ryu, Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai, Shodokan Aikido, Yoshinkan, Renshinkai, Aikikai and Ki Aikido. Aikido is now practiced in aroun ...
,
judo
is an unarmed modern Japanese martial art, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyclopedia Nipponica, "Judo"). ...
, and
jujitsu techniques, which are used in ground fighting and for control and restraint techniques that are taught to
law enforcement
Law enforcement is the activity of some members of government who act in an organized manner to enforce the law by discovering, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules
Rule or ruling may refer to:
Education ...
.
Kobudo weapons
Many weapons are practiced in the
dojo:
Kubotan,
Tonfa
The ''tonfa'' ( Okinawan: , lit. ''old man's staff'' / ''"crutch"''), also spelled as ''tongfa'' or ''tuifa'', also known as T-baton is a melee weapon with its origins in the armed component of Okinawan martial arts. It consists of a stic ...
,
Kama
''Kama'' (Sanskrit ) means "desire, wish, longing" in Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh literature.Monier Williamsकाम, kāmaMonier-Williams Sanskrit English Dictionary, pp 271, see 3rd column Kama often connotes sensual pleasure, sexual ...
,
Jō,
Bokuto,
Bokken
A ''bokken'' (, , "wood", and ''ken'', "sword") (or a ''bokutō'' ) is a Japanese wooden sword used for training in kenjutsu. It is usually the size and shape of a ''katana'', but is sometimes shaped like other swords, such as the ''wakizashi'' ...
,
Shinai
A is a Japanese sword typically made of bamboo used for practice and competition in ''kendo''. ''Shinai'' are also used in other martial arts, but may be styled differently from ''kendo shinai'', and represented with different characters. T ...
,
Tsue (walking cane), and the
Katana
A is a Japanese sword characterized by a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. Developed later than the '' tachi'', it was used by samurai in feudal Japan and worn with the edge f ...
(Japanese sword).
[Warsaw Karate Center (in English)](_blank)
/ref> Kubota trained with Taira Shinken
was a Japanese martial artist, born as in 1897 on Kume island in the Ryūkyū archipelago.
Early life
He was the second son in a family of three boys and one girl. He was given up for adoption as a child (not an uncommon practice in old Japan ...
learning ancient Kobudo katas while developing his own for his school. The Kobudo kata created by him include:
* Tonfa: Washi no kata, Juji no uke.
* Jō: Keibo jitsu, Ken shin ryū.
* Tsue (walking cane): Tsue ichi no kata, ni no kata, san no kata, yon no kata, go no kata, roku no kata, Mawashi no kata.
* Katana (created by Kubota): Sankaku giri, Atemi no kata, Kubo giri, Gyaku giri, Iaido ichi no kata, ni no kata, san no kata, Toshin.
* Bokken: Ken no Michi, Ken no Mai
Prominent students
* Kyoshi Hank Hamilton 7th dan[Hank Hamilton's profile](_blank)
Hypnosis.edu. Retrieved on 2012-01-07.
* James Caan
James Edmund Caan ( ; March 26, 1940 – July 6, 2022) was an American actor. He came to prominence playing Sonny Corleone in ''The Godfather'' (1972) – a performance which earned him Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Suppo ...
6th Dan[IKA Newsletter](_blank)
Ikakarate.com.
Retrieved on 2012-01-07.
* Hanshi Temoanarupe Inuhaere 9th Dan
* Kyoshi Natasha Inuhaere 8th Dan
* Hanshi Mike Ireland 9th Dan
* Kancho Takemasa Okuyama 10th Dan
References
External links
www.IKAKarate.com
www.karatesensei.com
Japan Martial Arts Centre website
International Gosoku-Ryu Karate-Do Association
{{Karate schools
Karate
Japanese martial arts