The man most responsible for the systemization of karate as we know it today and introducing it to Japan proper was Gichin Funakoshi (Funakoshi Gichin), founder of Shotokan karate.  Afterward, many other masters emerged, including Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose (10th Dan), who developed Chito-ryu karate from a combination of Shorin-ryu and Shorei-ryu.  Yamamoto (10th Dan) studied under Chitose and developed the system presently known as Yoshukai karate.  (Yoshukai means training hall of continuing improvement and development).

     Michael G. Foster (9th Dan) first studied under Watanade in the late 1950's and then studied with Yamamoto in Japan starting in 1964.  Yamamoto was good friends with Watanade, who was Goju-ryu karate sensei at the Itazuke Administration Annex base gym. Michael G. Foster was stationed at Ituzuke Air Force Base in the late 1950s. Yamamoto met Foster in 1964 when Foster returned to Japan to test for second degree black belt. Foster spent about three weeks at Yamamoto's dojo. Foster returned to Japan in September 1964 and lived in Yamamoto dojo for approximately 19 months, returning to USA in 1966 as 4th degree black belt.  Also in 1966 Foster was named the U.S. officer of Yoshukai karate and was tasked with spreading Yoshukai in the United States.  In 1968, Hiroyuki Koda, went to the United States under the patronage of Mike Foster to help him in Florida with his mission of expanding the number of Yoshukai schools in America.

     In 1977 Mike Foster split from Yamamoto organization and established the Yoshukai International Karate Association (YIKA).  At the same time Hiroyuki Koda established the U.S. Yoshukai Karate Association (USYKA).  In 1989, Mike Foster was awarded the right to use the name "Yoshukai International Karate Association".

Notability

     Mike Foster was noted as a karate champion in the early days of his career, and though retired from active competition, he is considered one of the premiere karate officials in America.  Other noted champions and officials include Larry Pate (retired), Calvin Thomas and Mike Smith.

Yoshukai International has dojos all over the world, including the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Germany, Latvia, Australia and New Zealand.  Yoshukai International has approximately 1,800 members in several different countries and over 300 Black Belts.

     Yoshukai International is unusual in that it uses mainly forward, side and natural stances and technique that emphasizes lack of regression in movement.  Ki is approximately 60 percent hard and 40 percent soft, meaning that the kumite or fighting style incorporates techniques similar to aikido which turn an attack or use it to the advantage of the defender.  All techniques and stances are adapted from Japanese karate to fit taller Westerners with longer legs and higher hara or center of gravity.  Although Yoshukai is considered a full-contact style, students usually participate in light- to medium-contact kumite or sparring within the dojo, and are encouraged to be active in tournament competition.  Students also study traditional Okinawan kobudo as an extension of their karate technique.

Dojo Kun

• 1. To uphold the Dojo name

• 2. To seek perfection of character

• 3. To be faithful

• 4. To endeavor in all things

• 5. To respect others

• 6. To refrain from violent behavior

     Most dojos within Yoshukai International use four belt colors without stripes to recognize the standard kyu (below black belt) and dan (above black belt) ranks, although some dojos use belts with stripes to indicate the specific ranks.