From Japan to Grimsby & Cleethorpes: The JKS Karate Journey

Traditional Shotokan, Japanese roots and a commitment to continual development

There are many Shotokan Karate organisations around the world, each with its own history, instructors and approach.

At Kaizen No-Michi, we are proudly affiliated with JKS England, connecting our dojo to the Japan Karate Shoto Federation and its international network.

But what does that mean for our students, and what makes JKS distinctive?

A Connection to Japan

JKS has its foundations firmly within the Japanese Shotokan tradition, with its technical development strongly influenced by Masao Kagawa Shihan.

The approach combines traditional karate principles with an emphasis on speed, timing, precision, fluid movement, whole-body mechanics and explosive power.

Rather than simply focusing on making techniques look powerful, JKS places considerable importance on understanding how the body works — developing efficient movement, generating speed and power, and maintaining control.

For us, the Japanese connection is more than an affiliation on paper.

Andy Sensei in Japan

Our Chief Instructor, Andy Jones Sensei, experienced that connection first-hand in 2016, when he travelled to Japan to attend training sessions at JKS Japan Headquarters.

During the same visit, he also attended the JKS International Technical Seminar at Teikyo University.

Training in Japan provided an opportunity to experience the JKS approach within its own environment and to train alongside karateka and instructors from the wider JKS community.

It was another important stage in Andy Sensei's karate journey, which began in 1991.

Kihon, Kata and Kumite

JKS maintains the traditional Shotokan framework of kihon, kata and kumite, but these elements are viewed as interconnected rather than isolated parts of training.

The mechanics developed through kihon should be evident in kata, while kata provides principles that can be explored through kumite.

JKS also preserves and develops a broad kata curriculum.

Alongside the familiar Shotokan kata, students may encounter the Junro kata, which were developed within the JKS technical tradition, as well as the Asai-ryu kata, reflecting the influence of the late Tetsuhiko Asai Sensei and his distinctive approach to movement and karate technique.

These kata add another dimension to training and encourage students to explore movement, balance, flexibility and technical control in different ways.

The Influence of Asai Sensei

The influence of Asai Sensei is also an interesting part of the wider technical history surrounding modern Japanese Shotokan.

His approach placed particular emphasis on natural movement, flexibility and the ability to generate power through efficient body mechanics.

While JKS has its own technical identity, the inclusion and study of kata associated with this wider Japanese Shotokan heritage provides students with an opportunity to experience different technical concepts within their training.

Traditional Doesn't Mean Standing Still

One of the aspects of JKS that appeals strongly to us is its balance between tradition and development.

The foundations of Shotokan remain important, but there is also an openness to exploring movement, athleticism and technical efficiency.

That means respecting where karate has come from while continuing to develop how it is understood and practised.

And that idea is central to our own philosophy.

The Meaning Behind Kaizen No-Michi

Kaizen No-Michi means:

The Path to Constant & Never-Ending Improvement.

It reflects the way we believe karate should be approached.

A beginner and an experienced Dan grade may be at very different stages, but both can continue to develop. There is always another detail to refine, another aspect of movement to understand and another challenge to overcome.

This is one of the reasons JKS is such a natural fit for our dojo.

A Path That Can Lead Further

For some students, karate is primarily about fitness, confidence and personal development.

For others, it becomes a competitive pursuit or a deeper study of traditional martial arts.

JKS provides opportunities across that spectrum, including seminars, competitions and international training.

A student can begin their journey locally in Grimsby or Cleethorpes, develop through regular dojo training and grading, and eventually train alongside practitioners from across the JKS community — including, for those who choose that path, opportunities to train in Japan.

Andy Sensei's experience at JKS Japan Headquarters and Teikyo University demonstrates that this international connection is something that extends beyond the name of an organisation.

So, What Makes JKS Different?

For us, it is the combination of:

• Traditional Shotokan foundations

• A strong connection to Japan

• Kagawa Shihan's technical influence

• Dynamic and efficient movement

• The integration of kihon, kata and kumite

• The wider kata heritage, including Junro and Asai-ryu

• International training and competition opportunities

• A culture of continual development

Most importantly, JKS reflects a view of karate as a lifelong journey rather than a destination.

That philosophy sits at the heart of Kaizen No-Michi.

Kaizen No-Michi

The Path to Constant & Never-Ending Improvement.

From Grimsby & Cleethorpes, with a connection to JKS that reaches all the way to Japan.