The Fighting Arts have existed since the beginning of time. Fighting began as an instinctive survival response. As time passed it developed technically and was systematized to form the present Martial Arts, which can be found in virtually every culture on the planet. In Okinawa fighting developed into the indigenous life-protection art known as “Te” (Ti or Di in Okinawan dialect), meaning Hand.

“Te” resembled Okinawan folk dance. Among its aspects were Atemi (striking), Tuite (grab hand), and Kyusho-Jutsu (vital points art), as well as Nage (throwing).

The RyuKyus are a small chain of islands located between Japan and China. The largest and most famous of these is Okinawa. Because of its strategic location it was a trading center for China and other Asian countries. In ancient times Okinawa had many ties with China and so China has influenced the island’s culture, as well as its Life Protection Art.

Karate was born when the indigenous art of “Te” (hand) was infused with Chinese Martial Arts and other Asian arts. The Chinese forms (Kata) were integrated and modified and Karate was born.

Te became regionalized when it roughly divided into three distinct forms, Shuri-Te, Naha-Te and Tomari-Te. (These were towns located in the countryside near Shuri Castle.) These weren't names of styles but rather references to distinguish differences in applications, Kata and philosophies. It wasn't until the late 1800s and early 1900s that Karate took official names to describe and differentiate styles.

The kanji or Chinese ideogram for “Kara” meaning China was used out of respect for the Chinese. So Kara-te meant China Hand.

After the Meiji Restoration, beginning in 1868, the Chinese ideogram for “Kara,” meaning China, was changed to “Kara, ku” meaning open/vastness.

Karate is often misinterpreted as meaning “empty hand.” In fact, Karate literally means "open hand" which refers to the physical means of hand movement and physical characteristics of the hand - which, when combined together, represent human nature. That is to say, Karate should be a natural movement – like walking. Natural movements are typical in the old ways of Karate.

Today there are many styles of Karate. These styles, although related, differ in philosophy, and interpretation of concepts. There are three main categories: Modern, Traditional, and Classical. The IKO’s emphasis is on Classical Karate, meaning the actual fighting philosophy developed by the “Pechin” warrior class of Okinawa. Classical Karate teaches us skills and techniques that will stop opponents in combat, not the controlled conditions of tournament play.

The Dojo is a special place where we train ourselves both physically and mentally. The Dojo operates in a strict manner following the traditional rules of proper conduct. It is a place for succession, where we pass on the founder's teachings. It is the responsibility of each student to honor and sincerely follow those teachings. It is the responsibility of the Sensei and students to create a positive atmosphere of respect and hard work.

Respect the founder and his teachings, as succeeded and handed down by Sensei.

Respect the Dojo. Respect your training tools. Respect each other and always train diligently.

The Dojo is a place where courage is cultivated and superior human nature is bred through the ecstasy of sweating in hard work. It is the sacred place where you cultivate the power of perseverance and where the human Mind, Body, and Spirit are polished.