Vintage IKKU Banner that hangs in the Hombu Dojo, Tora Shin

For forty years, the International Karate Kobudo Union has served as a home for serious students of traditional martial arts. Founded by Soke Joseph R. Ruiz, 10th Dan, the IKKU was established to preserve, teach, and advance the study of Shito-Ryu Karate-Do, Koga-Ryu Kobudo, and Katsu-Ryu Kempo. From its beginning, the union was built upon discipline, loyalty, technical excellence, and the belief that martial arts must be passed forward with both integrity and purpose. Today, we proudly celebrate four decades of dedication, growth, and unwavering commitment to the martial arts tradition.

The story of the IKKU began during a defining period in Soke Ruiz’s martial arts journey. By the mid-1980s, he had already earned international respect as a senior instructor, leader, and teacher within the National Karate Jiu Jitsu Union. As Assistant Director, he had helped strengthen the organization through years of instruction, camps, seminars, and leadership. His reputation was built not only on rank or title, but on the quality of his teaching and the depth of his traditional training.

In 1985, Soke Ruiz made the difficult decision to withdraw from the NKJU. It was not a decision made lightly. After years of service and leadership, he recognized the need for a new direction: one rooted in technical unity, traditional values, and freedom from outside political influence. In 1986, that vision became reality with the founding of the International Karate Kobudo Union. This moment is now celebrated as the beginning of a lasting legacy.

Vintage IKKU Patch – circa 1989

In its early years, the IKKU continued forward under the banner of Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu. Many instructors, dojo leaders, and students followed Soke Ruiz into this new martial family. Together, they carried forward the influence of Soke Shogo Kuniba, the Seishin Kai tradition, and the broader teachings Soke Ruiz had received through a lifetime of training under respected masters in Japan, Hawaii, and the United States.

Following the passing of Soke Shogo Kuniba in 1992, the martial landscape changed. Questions of succession, identity, and organizational direction led many instructors to consider their future path. For Soke Ruiz, this became another defining moment. Rather than remain dependent upon inherited names or external authority, he accepted the responsibility of organizing his own teachings into a complete and unified system.

From that decision came KoToSu-Ha Shito-Ryu.

KoToSu-Ha Shito-Ryu represented more than a name. It expressed the full body of Soke Ruiz’s martial inheritance: the karate of Shito-Ryu 空手道, the weapons traditions of Koga-Ryu Kobudo 古武道, the combative principles of Katsu-Ryu Kempo 拳法, and the disciplined structure of traditional Japanese budo. The IKKU became the vessel through which these teachings could be standardized, preserved, tested, refined, and passed forward from generation to generation. This achievement is proudly honored as part of our 40-year celebration.

KoToSu-Ha

The IKKU developed around a focused purpose: one family, one curriculum, one standard, and one shared direction. Through kihon, kata, bunkai, kobudo, kempo, dan testing, instructor development, and national training events, the union created a structure where students across many dojo could grow within a common martial language. This unity is a cornerstone of what we celebrate today.

This standardization became one of the great strengths of the IKKU. It allowed KoToSu-Ha Shito-Ryu to mature as a living art rather than remain a loose collection of inherited material. The art continued to honor its Okinawan, Chinese, and Japanese roots while giving future generations a clear path for study. In this way, the IKKU preserved the past without becoming trapped by it. This remains a legacy worthy of recognition and celebration.

The decisions made by Soke Ruiz in the 1980s and 1990s required courage. They were not always easy, and they were not always immediately understood. Yet history often proves the value of principled leadership over time. Forty years later, the International Karate Kobudo Union continues to train, teach, and influence traditional martial artists throughout the United States, a milestone we proudly commemorate.

Today, the IKKU stands as a testament to loyalty, perseverance, and the power of a clearly defined martial vision. It remains a family of instructors and students committed to preserving traditional Okinawan and Japanese warrior arts while preparing the next generation to carry them forward. As we celebrate this 40-year anniversary, we honor not only our founder, but every instructor, student, and supporter who has contributed to this enduring legacy.

For forty years, the International Karate Kobudo Union has honored the old ways, refined the present path, and protected the future of KoToSu-Ha Shito-Ryu. With pride and gratitude, we celebrate the journey behind us and look forward to the generations yet to come.

Additional IKKU Information

To learn more about joining the IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union, please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members into our organization and host 6 to 10 scheduled events each year. This provides each participant with direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, Founder of the IKKU and Hanshi Ron Downton, as well as other high-ranking instructors within the organization.

For a full listing of upcoming training opportunities, please visit our Events Page, where we feature upcoming clinics, camps, and additional opportunities for engagement with the IKKU community.

The post IKKU at 40: A Living Legacy of Traditional Karate, Kobudo, and Kempo appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.

Photo provided by the Hawaii Karate Seinenkai

This remarkable photograph, taken during Kanki Izumikawa’s first trip to Hawaii in 1961, marks a pivotal moment in karate history. The visit coincided with the opening of his first Goju-Ryu Senbukan Dojo on U.S. soil, a milestone that helped establish Okinawan karate’s presence stateside.

In the back row of the photo stand two men who, for decades, were listed as “unknown”, a mystery that puzzled Hawaiian karate historians. After detailed study and verification by Soke Joseph Ruiz, it has now been confirmed that the second person from the left in the back row is none other than Kiyoshi Aihara.

The Aihara Connection

Photo provided by the Hawaii Karate Seinenkai

According to Soke Ruiz, Aihara Sensei, besides training with Gichin Funakoshi and Egami, also trained with Kanki Izumikawa while living in Japan. This connection gave Aihara access to both Katsu-Ryu Kempo and Koga-Ryu Kobudo, traditions that would later become essential components of the International Karate Kobudo Union (IKKU).

This photo provides historical evidence of the cross karate pollination occurring between the masters of the era. This historical link not only enriched Aihara’s own martial foundation but also helped seed Soke Ruiz’s later experiences training at Izumikawa’s dojo overseas, creating a living bridge between the Okinawan, Japanese, and Hawaiian karate lineages.

The Early Senbukan Legacy in Hawaii

Local newspaper advertising Izumikawa’s Hawaii Senbukan in 1961

Among Izumikawa’s early students was Kenneth Murakami, who trained under him while stationed in Japan with the U.S. Air Force, and George Miyasaki from Hawaii. When Murakami returned home, he continued spreading Izumikawa’s teachings, first from his aunt’s garage, and later through dojos hosted at the old Jikoen Temple, Daijing Temple, and Aiea Hongwanji.

Miyasaki frequently taught alongside him, ensuring that Izumikawa’s Goju-Ryu principles took firm root in Hawaiian soil, a legacy that continues to shape the region’s martial arts community to this day.

A Rediscovered Link in the IKKU Lineage

This discovery does more than solve a long-standing historical mystery,  it solidifies a critical link in the IKKU’s lineage, connecting Soke Ruiz’s modern teachings directly back to the roots of Kanki Izumikawa’s Senbukan and Aihara’s Zen Shotokai.

By confirming Kiyoshi Aihara’s presence in that historic 1961 photo, we gain a deeper appreciation for the interconnected nature of karate’s evolution, a lineage that flows from Okinawa to Japan, to Hawaii, and ultimately into the hands of the IKKU’s practitioners today.

We have reached out to the Hawaii Karate Seinenkai for additional information sharing.

Join the IKKU Family

We invite you to subscribe and be notified as we release more kata from the KoToSu-Ha Shito-Ryu system. This is a rare opportunity to train with us—virtually and in person—while preserving the authenticity of our art for future generations.

If you are interested in joining the IKKU and gaining access to live events, training camps, and detailed instructional materials, click here to begin your membership. Enrollment is currently open to qualified practitioners.

For upcoming training opportunities, visit our Events Calendar and plan your next step toward mastery. We look forward to seeing you on the dojo floor.

The post Uncovering History: Kanki Izumikawa’s 1961 Visit to Hawaii and the Hidden Link to Kiyoshi Aihara appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.

To Penetrate a Fortress

Few kata embody the fighting spirit and heritage of Karate as powerfully as Bassai Dai. Literally meaning “To Storm or Penetrate the Fortress,” this form has been passed down through the hands of legends, Ankō Itosu, Kenwa Mabuni, Chōki Motobu, Kanki Izumikawa, and Shōgō Kuniba — before finding its home within the International Karate Kobudo Union (IKKU) under Soke Joseph R. Ruiz. It represents centuries of refinement, evolution, and unbroken tradition from Okinawa to modern Japan.

In its earliest roots, Bassai Dai was taught as a kata of courage, a physical manifestation of breaking through defenses and fear. Under Kiyoshi Aihara, Soke Ruiz first learned its disciplined Shotokan form in Hawaii, where it symbolized precision, perseverance, and inner strength. Later, through Kanki Izumikawa’s Goju-Shitō perspective and Shōgō Kuniba’s Motobu-Ha Shitō-Ryū, the kata grew into a complete study of balance: hardness and softness (Go and Ju), power and control, technique and intent.

Today, within the IKKU, Bassai Dai stands as more than a kata, it is a bridge between lineages. It embodies the energy of Okinawa’s Shuri-te, the refinement of Japanese Shitō-Ryū, and the adaptive realism of Motobu-Ha practice. Every sharp stance, turn, and strike tells a story of perseverance and unity, connecting modern practitioners to the masters who shaped the art generations ago.

When we perform Bassai Dai, we are not just training a kata, we are honoring the spirit of budō itself: the will to face obstacles, to grow through adversity, and to master the self. Within the IKKU, this kata reminds us that the greatest fortress to overcome is always within.

Bassai Dai   ← Click Here for Kata Webpage

Join the IKKU Family

We invite you to subscribe and be notified as we release more kata from the KoToSu-Ha Shito-Ryu system. This is a rare opportunity to train with us—virtually and in person—while preserving the authenticity of our art for future generations.

If you are interested in joining the IKKU and gaining access to live events, training camps, and detailed instructional materials, click here to begin your membership. Enrollment is currently open to qualified practitioners.

For upcoming training opportunities, visit our Events Calendar and plan your next step toward mastery. We look forward to seeing you on the dojo floor.

The post Bassai Dai Video Now Available appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.

This channel is designed for those who value the YouTube learning experience, featuring individual kata demonstrations, multi-part training series, curated playlists, and special programs coming soon.

With over 20 videos already available, practitioners can now watch, train, and refine their kata anywhere, anytime.
We invite all members and martial arts enthusiasts to like, share, and subscribe — and make these lessons part of your daily training routine.

Join us as we continue to preserve, promote, and pass forward the traditions of KoToSu-Ha Shito-Ryu under the IKKU banner.

http://www.youtube.com/@IKKU-Karate  ←  Click Here for the YouTube IKKU Channel

Additional IKKU Information:
For information about joining the IKKU—International Karate Kobudo Union—please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-10 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, the founder of the IKKU, and other High-Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a complete listing of upcoming scheduled sessions, please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps, and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

The post Introducing the Official KoToSu-Ha Shito-Ryu YouTube Channel appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.

The Award Winning Kita Kaze Karate Kai

In every martial art, three pillars are essential: a Sensei, a willing student, and a place to train. Without these, the art withers. The Sensei—the one who comes before—guides not only the technique but also the spirit of the student.

The bond between student and Sensei often defies explanation to outsiders. A Sensei is part coach, part instructor, part mentor—and at higher levels, a leader who shapes the very culture of the dojo. From the moment we tie on the white belt, Sensei is there: urging us through pain, celebrating our progress, and walking beside us through every challenge. We rarely imagine a day when Sensei will not be there.

Yet, as with all things, a time arrives when the torch must be passed. Leadership, after all, means preparing the next generation. Without a Sensei to “pay it forward,” the art risks fading away.

Passing of the Torch · Part I

Kyoshi Mike Hoffman (then Shihan Dai) with Kama at Kobudo Clinic

That time has now come within our IKKU circle. After decades of service to both youth and adults, Kyoshi Mike Hoffman, Sensei of Kita Kaze Karate Kai in Sugar Hill, GA, has retired from leading his dojo.

Kyoshi Hoffman’s legacy is woven into the community of Metro Atlanta, where his dojo became a pillar of authentic Okinawan and Japanese martial traditions. With 50 years experience, Kyoshi has shaped students into martial artists, black belts, and leaders—some of whom rose to the ranks of the Renshi levels. Along the way, his dojo earned community recognition and admiration for its excellence.

Though stepping back from daily teaching, Kyoshi’s journey in the arts continues. He will remain active in IKKU seminars, camps, and classes, still walking the path alongside us. When you see him on the dojo floor, bow with gratitude and acknowledge the immense responsibility he carried—and fulfilled—in preserving our tradition.

Passing of the Torch · Part II

Renshi Sensei Steve Carbonneau (then Nidan) performing Pinan Godan Kata

In the spirit of continuation, Soke Joseph Ruiz has entrusted leadership of Kita Kaze Karate Kai to Kyoshi Hoffman’s student: Renshi Sensei Steve Carbonneau, 4th Dan in KoToSuHa Shito-Ryu.

Renshi Sensei Carbonneau now steps forward to guide the dojo, carrying forward the traditions and values instilled by his Sensei. Classes for adults and youth will continue in Sugar Hill, GA, ensuring that Kita Kaze Karate Kai remains a vital part of the International Karate Kobudo Union.

As Renshi Sensei takes on this mantle, he will need the support, encouragement, and confidence of our IKKU community. Growth into leadership is never solitary—it is forged with the trust and encouragement of those around you. Our people that make up our small circle inherently creates strong martial artist and leaders. Together we are stronger. This is the true meaning of the word “Ha”.

With Respect and Congratulations

To Kyoshi Hoffman—thank you for your decades of dedication and your unshakable commitment to the art.
To Renshi Carbonneau—congratulations on your new role. Lead with the strength of tradition, the spirit of humility, and the vision of the future.

The art continues. The torch is passed. The way endures.

Kita Kaze Karate Kai   ← Detailed Class Info Here

Additional IKKU Information:
For information about joining the IKKU—International Karate Kobudo Union—please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-10 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, the founder of the IKKU, and other High-Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a complete listing of upcoming scheduled sessions, please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps, and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

The post Passing of the Torch at Kita Kaze Karate Kai appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.