Come explore the deep principles and combative applications of the Katsu-Ryu Kempo system handed down through the lineage of Izumikawa and Aihara Sensei in the ’50s-60s. Under the guidance of Soke Joseph Ruiz , Founder of the International Karate Kobudo Union and additional senior leadership from both the IKKU and the Traditional Karate Association, this clinic will focus on advanced Kempo theory, internal energy development, and tactical flow as transmitted through the Katsu-Ryu lineage.

Katsu-Ryu Kempo is a dynamic system of Okinawan and Chinese-influenced martial science, preserved and transmitted through the International Karate Kobudo Union (IKKU). Its teachings stem from the lineage of Soke Joseph R. Ruiz, who integrated Kempo’s circular striking and internal principles with the structured forms and discipline of traditional Karate-Do. The system emphasizes adaptability, ki flow, and precision, uniting striking, locking, and throwing into a seamless expression of martial effectiveness and spiritual balance.

This clinic provides an exceptional opportunity for black belts to deepen their understanding of Katsu-Ryu’s foundational methods and its place within the broader legacy of traditional karate and kobudo as taught in the IKKU.

Space is limited — reserve early to ensure your place on the floor.

Reminder(s): Bring water and your warrior spirit.

All participants must wear traditional white uniforms.

Katsu-Ryu Kempo Clinic

Presented by the Traditional Karate Association & International Karate Kobudo Union

Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Featuring:

Soke Joseph Ruiz, 10th Dan – IKKU Founder
Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin, 8th Dan – Events Director, IKKU
Hanshi Ricky A. Adams, 9th Dan Director, TKA
Kyoshi Mike Downton, 7th Dan – IKKU Events Instructor
Additional high-ranking instructors from TKA/IKKUAdditional high-ranking instructors from TKA/IKKU

Location:
Traditional Karate Association Honbu Dojo
1421 Anderson Lane
Lady Lake, Florida 32159

Eligibility: Open to Black Belts Only
Attire: All White Uniforms Required

Fee:

TKA/IKKU Members – $60
Non-Members – $80

Additional IKKU Information:
For information about joining the IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union then 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, founder of the IKKU and other High Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a full 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 2025 TKA / IKKU Katsu-Ryu Kempo Clinic 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.

CAMP “OKA”

Please plan on joining us as we continue our Annual IKKU Summer Camp tradition. Camp OKA will take place on the Campus of Oxford College in Oxford, GA from June 9 – 12. So please put the camp dates on your calendar and make plans to join us for this special event.

The Camp is open to all styles and all ranks and it’s going to be a great time for those attending. The first class is scheduled Wednesday, June 9 at 6:30 pm and Camp ends on Sunday, June 12 late morning.

Minimum $50 Deposit Due by May 10, 2022

Senior Instructors Include:

Joseph Ruiz

The post 2022 Annual IKKU Summer Camp appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.

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Final Day Group Picture from the 2017 IKKU Summer Camp

IKKU Katsu-Ryu Kempo Manual

It was all about the animals during this year’s 2017 IKKU Summer Camp entitled “Camp Katsu”. The Bear, Tiger, Snake, Cat, Eagle, Crane, Monkey, Leopard, Dragon, Swan, Ram, and Praying Mantis were drilled religiously morning, noon and night. While the focus of the camp was Katsu-Ryu Kempo there was also plenty of time for Kotosu-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate, Kobudo and Katana during the week.

For those that didn’t have extensive knowledge and exposure to Katsu-Ryu, the camp offered more than enough to satisfy your hunger for new knowledge. For those that had previous experience, there was still plenty of new ideas and knowledge about this little-known art shared by Soke Ruiz. Hanshi Ron Downton also played a big part during the week as he freely shared knowledge that he has accumulated over the years. Since Katsu-Ryu Kempo is not something that you can simply walk into a dojo and register for, it made this camp the rarest of opportunities to learn an art that is not like any other.

Soke Joseph Ruiz learned his Katsu-Ryu Kempo style through a previous master, Kanki Izumikawa while training in Japan during his time in the armed forces in the 60’s. He continued to teach Katsu-Ryu throughout the 70’s and 80’s but not very many practitioners continued their study. Most practitioners focused on Karate and Kobudo so eventually lost this rare and treasured knowledge. When Ruiz later founded the IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union in 1986 he continued to share his knowledge and still continues through to the current date. Soke Ruiz is considered to be the foremost expert on Katsu-Ryu Kempo in the Western World.

Katsu-Ryu Kempo wood block provided by Shihan Dai Bee Morris. Block made from an original design by Soke Joseph Ruiz and depicts all the Animals from the Katsu-Ryu System.

Soke spent the time to show us a Katsu-Ryu Line Drill that was taught to all participants. As well, we dug deep into the first Katsu-Ryu Kempo Kata and was provided this knowledge based on your own personal absorption rate. Of course, since this first kata is so long, only the first half was taught to the masses. The first kata is comprised of 2 Halves, Part 1 and Part 2. Each part contains 5 Sets of movements with length, time and complexity seeming to increase the further you go.

Also, to those that sought out Katsu-Ryu Kempo Bunkai, Charts were taught. These charts were drilled and reinforced on the floor in small groups with Hanshi Downton overseeing the progress. From White Chart through Black Chart were available and up for grabs for those with the ambition to learn and work.

It may be an alien thought of mind to use hard earned vacation time and money to spend 4-5 days during the summer as a way to relax, but until you’ve tried it, you don’t know what you are missing. Bonding with old friends and making new is just a couple of things that make the IKKU such a special family. Spending time with other like-minded martial artists that are all willing to call you friend, brother or sister makes this a hidden sanctuary and oasis during the hot months of summer in the deep south.

Saturday night at camp is utilized as a way to unwind from the week as we get together, break bread and celebrate those that proved to be exceptional during the course of the week. We honor those that go above and beyond at our inspiring banquet dinner and awards ceremony. So many come to camp to learn each year that we have to stop and recognize those that come to teach and share.

Congratulations are due to all the award winners and those that received special recognition during the week. Camp Awards, as usual, are voted on by Kuro Obis of the IKKU, with 5 Categories of Awards being given out during the annual Saturday night banquet dinner. And finally but not least we need to recognize Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin, the IKKU Camp Director, for pulling off yet another excellent camp for our enjoyment. Kyoshi-Sei Griffin does an exceptional job of coordinating all the details of camp while still providing excellent knowledge on the training floor each year. We would be lost without Kyoshi-Sei’s leadership and involvement.

Camp Awards:

The 2017 IKKU Award Winners from L to R: Barbara Hughes, Ana Covington, Michael Downton, Soke Ruiz, Nadine Oka, Kim Blue, Ron Downton

Renshi Shihan Nadine Oka – HANSHI AWARD – Most Outstanding Kobudo

Renshi Sensei Barbara Hughes – KYOSHI AWARD – Most Outstanding Renshi

Kyoshi Kim Blue – SOKE AWARD – Most Outstanding Karateka

Shihan Dai Mike Downton – JACK JACKSON AWARD – Most Outstanding Yudansha

Ana Covington – BRUCE WURTZ AWARD – Most Outstanding Kyu

We’ll have to wait another year for this annual exchange of traditional knowledge and camaraderie to occur again with this type of magnitude. But in the meantime, we have plenty of new Katsu-Ryu Kempo technique and kata to work to fill our spare time. We still have several remaining opportunities to get together for the remainder of 2017 so please be sure to check our Events Page for the latest information on upcoming opportunities to train together.

Until our paths cross again, OSU!

Additional IKKU Information:

Don’t forget our next upcoming event which is the 2017 IKKU Christmas Clinic and Celebration. The event is scheduled December 2, 2017, in Dexter, GA, hosted by Suansu Karate Kai at the Estate of Kyoshi Kim Blue.

For information about joining the IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union then 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, founder of the IKKU and other High Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a full 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 All About the Animals: “Camp Katsu” appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.