WHO WE ARE

It is the goal of Shōtōkan Budōkai is to return to the original principles of the traditional martial arts of karate. The Shōtōkan Budōkai is a martial arts school that offers traditional karate instruction for all levels. Our organization is dedicated to bujutsu karate, meaning the traditional karate which was technically developed for self-defense. Here, our instructors teach a modern interpretation of the ancient martial art, which is focused on the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of karate.

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With us, martial arts taught in the old way is a three-step process:

1. First, we train the body (physical),

2. Then the mind (mental), and

3. Finally ones’ heart (spiritual).

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We strive to provide a unique experience to our students, offering personalized instruction and support to help each student reach their goals. We believe in the power of bujutsu karate to foster physical and mental development and are committed to providing the highest quality martial arts instruction.

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The syllabus is therefore different from the mainstream groups. It’s not shaped by competition rules; such as ‘compulsory elimination round kata’ and techniques to ‘win matches’. Furthermore, Oyo (the practical application of karate for self-defense) plays a large role in training for senior grades.

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The Budōkai has 26 kata, however, besides the foundational training in the five Heian (Pinan) and Tekki Shodan  (Naifanchi), Kata are all free-choice. The additional kata is, therefore, not to learn more, but; rather, to give individuals more options for individualized specialization. For progression through Dan, one must select the kata which best suits themselves as individuals, which was normal until the first quarter of the 20th Century. The Budōkai way stresses quality over quantity and effectiveness over mere movement. Needless to say, this forms very strong connections between Kihon, Kata and Kumite: in sum, practical self-defense skills. To reiterate, we have more kata in our syllabus not to learn more  ‘moves’, but to give our members more choices to develop karate which is best for their own physiques, attributes, circumstances, and individual fighting style. 

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There are five levels of Kihon in Shōtōkan Budōkai, which are very simple but highly detailed. The original idea of Funakoshi Sensei was that Kihon is ‘isolation training’. With this in mind, complex Kihon is thus (more often than not) counterproductive—because it often hides core mistakes. The specificity of what is required in each aspect of every movement makes the Budōkai Kihon practical for improvement irrespective of tenure and skill. Overall, in Budōkai, the time doing long winded combinations—up and down the dojo—is replaced by time doing simple techniques ”in depth’ with ‘acutely specific targets’; furthermore, replaced by extensive impact work.

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Just like in standard Shotokan, kumite has multiple forms. A major difference is that our attacking distance in yakusoku and jiyu kumite is closer and hence more practical in the real world. Consistent with the kata we primarily emphasize percussive blows;  however, we also utilize the vast array of locks/holds, joint breaking/dislocating techniques, and chokes: to maximize the effect of striking (or to finish off the opponent). Asai Sensei of the JKA said “there are only three ‘styles’ of karate: standing, on the ground, and off the ground”. Taken as a whole, the Kihon, Kata and Kumite training of the Shōtōkan Budōkai is harmonious for optimal effect in actual self-defense.

Accordingly, the Shōtōkan Budōkai encourages all members to train with whoever they like and compete in any tournament they wish to. While Shōtōkan Budōkai only involves bujutsu karate in our syllabus, we support our member's endeavors. We believe that this freedom is consistent with the true spirit of Karate-Do.

 

We take our training as seriously as our enjoyment in learning, working and helping each other become stronger and better. We aim to be multi-disciplined and open-minded in our approach to training. Knowledge is the keyword. Though our curriculum is heavily based on traditional Karate, elements of other martial arts are incorporated to make the training more flexible and adaptable, but never forgetting our core; SHOTOKAN.

 

We welcome members from all training systems. I hope to share my excitement about Shōtōkan Budōkai, that we make the effort to know each other and every one of our members. Unlike most karate/martial arts schools in Malaysia which have a highly developed aspect of sports karate, Shōtōkan Budōkai was founded to focus on the martial aspect (bugei) of Karate. As such the students are taught to use the katas as a backbone to master self defensive moves for realistic hostile situations. It is applicable even in situations where you encounter someone stronger and it is very effective. We welcome karate-ka (Shotokan or otherwise) who wish to pursue a different approach from sports karate and also anyone who wish to develop realistic self defensive skills. Do join us for the training and get a feel for yourself. Anyone is welcome to join us in our training. Classes are quite informal and students are encouraged to learn by asking questions. Intensity is different for the different ranks and the emphasis is on traditional Shotokan Karate with a realistic approach to self defense.

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Sixteenth-century Japanese sword master Miyamoto Musashi seems to have been describing the Flow Experience when he wrote, “When you appreciate the power of nature, knowing the rhythm of any situation, you will be able to hit the enemy naturally and strike naturally. All this is the Way of the Void.” As they seek proficiency in karate, Shōtōkan Budōkai members achieve personal growth in terms of enhanced confidence, energy, and decorum, all well suited to the journey of life. Putting karate into words is rather like a futile attempt to describe on the written page the beauty of a ballet dancer’s movements. To appreciate the ineffable art of either discipline, one needs to watch attentively, or as regards the matter at hand, undertake the rewarding journey of a lifetime to master karate for oneself.

 

The sum of our founder's journey, Azlimmi Himzal Sensei, which ultimately led back to the original principals of the Way of Karate, and is the root from which Shōtōkan Budōkai has grown and the bedrock on which karate has been built the world over. Specifically, Shōtōkan Budōkai traces its origins to the Japanese traditions of Bushido, for “Samurai Code of Chivalry”, or Bujutsu, “Martial Art”. Shōtōkan Budōkai preserves these traditions, adapting them so practitioners can better cope with the rigours of the busy and often pressure-filled 21st century lives. The essence of Shōtōkan Budōkai is captured in two classical Japanese Bushido adage :

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一拳必殺

Ichigeki, hissatsu

One overpowering strike

 

肉を切らせて骨を切る

Niku wo kirasete, hone wo kiru

Willing in spirit to accept a glancing blow so as to decisively overpower the opponent

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This is the SHŌTŌKAN BUDŌKAI.

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For membership inquiries, please email us at shotokanbudokai@gmail.com