WELCOME TO IKGA CANADA

Official Web Site of IKGA (International Karatedo Gojukai Association) Canada.

Traditional Japanese Gojuryu Karatedo - Yamaguchi Style.


ABOUT IKGA CANADA

The International Karatedo Gojukai Association Canada (IKGA Canada) is dedicated to providing instruction in the art and science of Yamaguchi Gojuryu Karatedo within Canada.

It is responsible for the orderly development of this unique form of karate, under the general guidance of the international headquarters located in Tokyo, Japan.

The first Canadian Yamaguchi Goju-Kai dojo was established in Edmonton, Alberta in the late 1970s by Yamashita Sensei. Yamashita Sensei was appointed as shibucho (director) for Canada by the founder of IKGA, Gogen Yamaguchi.

Before arriving in Canada, Yamashita Sensei had trained at the legendary Karatedo College established by Kaiso Gogen Yamaguchi. Students at this college participated in a 3-year intensive training program that resulted in the awarding of the I.K.G.A. Sandan - 3rd degree black belt. Many graduates of this college later became Chief Instructor of their respective countries.

Yamashita Sensei established dojos and worked in Argentina where he taught over 1200 students before immigrating to Canada. Now retired from active karate, Yamashita Sensei has left an enormous legacy, being carried on by some of his senior students.

The goals of the association are:

To promote Gojuryu Karatedo of the IKGA as a martial art and lifetime activity

To develop standards to help members to achieve their potential with safety.

To provide uniform training in IKGA gojuryu karatedo within Canada.

To govern the conduct of its members

To represent Canada to the headquarters of the International Karatedo Gojukai Association in Tokyo

IKGA Canada was incorporated under the laws of Canada in 1983. It is the only legitimate Canadian representative of Yamaguchi Gojuryu Karatedo.
The Fist is a registered trademark in Canada

GOJUKAI FIST EMBLEM

The Gojukai Fist Emblem was first used by Gogen Yamaguchi at the karate club he founded at Ritsumeikan University, Japan.

Many people and organizations are under the impression that the Gojukai Fist Emblem is a generic symbol representing goju-ryu. They are wrong. That would be like saying that the golden arches is the symbol of burgers and fries and that anyone serving burgers and fries can display the golden arches.

In Canada, only members of IKGA Canada are authorized to use or display this trade-mark or, as defined in the Act, any mark that is confusingly similar.

All unauthorized users of this trade mark or any mark that is confusingly similar are subject to prosecution.

For more information on trade-marks please visit the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.

For more information about the Gojukai Fist Emblem please contact IKGA Canada Headquarters.