ABOUT
THE IUKO CONCEPT
From antiquity through the early 20th century, Karatedo Masters from different
styles worked together. They exchanged insights, knowledge, kata and
techniques in the TRUE SPIRIT OF KARATEDO.
They supported eachothers efforts and even exchanged advanced
students to pass on a larger body of knowledge to the
next generation of Karatedo practitioners.
By the 1950's, most of the founders had passed away, and the tradition of
cooperation between the styles started to diminish. The different styles of
Karatedo became polarized and began to spread internationally in a
more significant way. By the 1970's politics and financial gain overshadowed
the spirit of cooperation, and organizations propagated
a "closed door - closed mind" mentality.
As sport Karate grew in popularity, much of the old combat oriented
Karate faded away in favor of sport oriented Karate.
THE IUKO CONCEPT is to RESURRECT the great Karatedo tradition
of cooperation between styles and organizations, in a environment that is free
from politics, ego and the disgustingly over judgemental closed minded
(and closed door) mentality of Karate organizations that propagated Japanese
Karate in the 1970's and 1980's. The goal of IUKO is to open peoples minds
to the sharing of knowledge, and to reviving
COMBAT ORIENTED KARATE in the 21st century.
This can only be accomplished through like minded people working together
with the correct attitude. The International Union of Karatedo Organizations
provides a matrix for the sharing of knowledge through
seminars, masters camps and instructor exchange programs.
WE WELCOME ALL LIKE MINDED
TRADITIONAL KARATE PRACTITIONERS TO JOIN US.
IUKO RECOGNIZED STYLES
The International Union of Karatedo Organizations officially recognizes the traditional and modern LEGITIMATE styles of Karatedo listed below, and welcomes practitioners and organizations representing these styles into the IUKO family. IUKO understands that over the course of history, the names of styles sometimes change, or may have even been changed to an organizational name. The purpose of IUKO is unity, so if you are practicing a TRADITIONAL Karatedo style with a different name than you see here, please contact us to see if IUKO recognition and membership is possible. This will depend on the connection to a listed style and/or connection a traditional Japanese/Okinawan lineage. Naturally, the technical standards of your training will count the most towards IUKO inclusion decisions.
Shotokan
Goju Ryu
Shito Ryu
Wado Ryu
Shorin Ryu
Shorei Ryu
Shorinji Ryu
Isshin Ryu
Seido
Fudokan
Ryuei Ryu
Gosoku Ryu
Enshin Ryu
Shukokai
Ashihara
Renbukai
Gensei Ryu
Ryukyukan
Shidokan
Tenshinkan
Kyokushinkai
Ueshi/Uechi Ryu
Shindo Jinen Ryu
Shuri Te
Naha Te
IUKO MISSION STATEMENT
The International Union of Karatedo Organizations (IUKO) is committed
to the propagation, instruction and promotion of traditional Karatedo.
In the spirit of mutual respect, development, friendship and brotherhood,
the primary, and most ambitious, goal of IUKO is the unification of
like-minded traditional Karatedo practitioners, schools and organizations.
In addition to this, IUKO is dedicated to forging progressive international
relationships through the organization of, and participation in, world class
international competitions, seminars, symposiums and events.
Through the strict implementation of bylaws, grading standards,
certification programs and continued scientific research, IUKO will
remain absolutely committed to upholding the highest physical and
ethical standards of traditional Karatedo on the international level.
IUKO will promote historical truths and make every effort to demystify
incorrect beliefs that still exist in the practice of Karatedo.
The examination and sharing of ancient and modern training methods
between the styles will allow IUKO to act as a matrix for promoting unity and
cooperation, while at the same time, discouraging the ugliness of politics.
All styles of traditional Karatedo share the same historical roots.
Because of this, IUKO believes that organized interoperability between
the styles is the most realistic, honest, trustworthy and virtuous path for
the propagation and unity of traditional Karatedo in the 21st century.
IUKO will remain committed to the implementation of cutting edge science,
modern teaching pedagogy and sports psychology to support the growth of
IUKO member organizations, and further the intrinsically altruistic purposes
of traditional Karatedo training. IUKO will forever welcome all practitioners
of traditional Karatedo regardless of race, creed, color, gender,
sexual orientation, nationality, age or religion. IUKO will engage in fund raising
activities for causes that focus on health and the elimination of human suffering.
IUKO will foster a powerful atmosphere of honesty, loyalty, dedication and discipline,
while nurturing a hopeful spirit of world peace, brotherhood and life long friendships.
IUKO POLICY ON COMPETITION RULES
Originally, traditional Karatedo is not a sport, but IUKO recognizes the
modern day reality that sport competition has become a large part of many
traditional Karate schools and organizations. With this in mind, IUKO recognizes
all sets of rules for Kata, Kumite, Kobudo and Tamashiwara competition.
If an IUKO member school or organization wants to have an IUKO sanctioned
tournament, it is a simple matter of declaring the set of rules being used.
All IUKO sanctioned events will be listed on the IUKO.org website.