JKA Hu Shin Kai Karate

Hu Shin Kai is a "dojo", a training place, for traditional Shotokan Karate.

Master Gichin Funakoshi

To understand the traditional Shotokan Karate, it is important to understand its roots. Shotokan Karate is one of the four major styles of traditional Karate founded by the master Gichin Funakoshi (November 10, 1868 – April 26, 1957). It is arguably the most known and practiced style of karate. Master Funakoshi dedicated his entire life to the pratctice of karate, and his pupil respectfully began calling his karate "Shotokan" Karate. "Shoto" was his artist name, and "kan" translates to "home" in Japanese.


Japan Karate Association

The Japan Karate Association (JKA) is the world's largest and most prestigious karate organization, and the recognized heir to the Shotokan Karate tradition. JKA grew around Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of the Shotokan style of karate and Father of Modern Karate. Gichin Funakoshi was the first Supreme Master of the JKA and his spirit lives on with us. We practice the art of karate in its purest form, passing on the teachings of Funakoshi Sensei and promoting them throughout the world.

JKA is considered organization with the most direct lineage to Master Funakoshi and the most authentic representation of Shotokan Karate in the world. It is the only Shotokan Karate organization recognized by Japan's Ministry of Education. In the "Karate-country", Japan, JKA is so prominent that "Association Karate" implies JKA.

Unfortunately, to those interested in karate but new to traditional karate, "Japan Karate Association" and "JKA" has led to confusion in many places around the world. Throughout the history, there have been inevitable separations of some individuals, clubs, and groups from JKA. As a result, many such groups continue to use the same name and logo as JKA in Tokyo, while no longer affiliated with JKA, leading to confusion.


Hu Shin Kai

Hu Shin Kai (HSK) is affiliated with JKA in Tokyo and is organized under the renowned Takayuki Mikami in the Japan Karate Association American Federation (JKA/AF). Sensei Mikami is the Senior Technical Advisor to the JKA Headquarter in Tokyo and has dedicated his life to the preservation and promotion of authentic Karate-Do. He has set the goals of the JKA/AF to include the conveyance of the highest standards of technique, the development of the character of the practitioners, and the fostering of the martial spirit that permeates the JKA.

Our membership passports and black belt certificates come only from the JKA headquarter in Japan. HSK carries on the spirit of JKA through intense physical and mental training.

We consider the physical training as a basis but focus our attention to one's personality, as our goal is to train to become a better person as a whole.

The name "Hu Shin Kai" means the following:

"Hu" means wind, representing our style that can be used in various ways similar to the nature of wind. It is also a reference to the location of the dojo, the “Windy City.”
"Shin" means mind, demonstrating our dedication and emphasis on the mental aspect of Karate-Do.
"Kai" means association or group.
There are only handful clubs from the JKA AF in the Midwest, including HSK. HSK instructors also operate the University of Illinois at Chicago club, the oldest JKA club in Chicago.