International Shotokan Karate Federation
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The International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) is the largest Shotokan Karate organization in North and South America. As ISKF is part of the Japan Karate Association, members of ISKF follow the teachings of shotokan's founder, Gichin Funakoshi. This organization was founded in 1977 in efforts by high-ranking members of JKA to spread the study of shotokan karate throughout the world. Though ISKF is based mainly in the United States, ISKF dojos can be found in over twenty eight different Pan-American countries. Teruyuki Okazaki (1931-present) is the chairman and chief instructor of the ISKF.
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[edit] ISKF Regional Directors
| Instructor | Rank | Region | Regional headquarters' official site |
| Teruyuki Okazaki | 9 Dan | East Coast Region | Philadelphia Shotokan Karate Club |
| Takayuki Mikami | 8 Dan | Southern Region | All South Karate |
| Yutaka Yaguchi | 8 Dan | Mountain States Region | ISKF Mountain States |
| Shigeru Takashina | 8 Dan | South Atlantic Region | South Atlantic Karate Association |
| Shojiro Koyama | 8 Dan | Western Region | Arizona Karate Assosiation |
[edit] Testing
For all kyu tests, the examinee must demonstrate to the examiners the mandated kata along with basics and sparring. For dan examinations, the examinee must travel to the regional headquarters and test there. The testee must demonstrate a single kata of his or her choice. The chief examiner will then choose another kata to be performed. The testee must also demonstrate basics and free sparring. The sparring is non-point, i.e. it does not stop when someone makes contact. Board-breaking and other events that are not actually part of karate are not tested at all.
[edit] Master Camp
The ISKF runs an annual retreat for Karate training held in Green Lane, Pennsylvania. Karate students come from all over the world to train. Guest Instructors, often outside of the ISKF are invited to teach classes. Classes are two to four times per day. Mandatory classes are twice per day, optional training once per day, and the special instructor training class is once per day. Exams for black belt, examiner certification and judge certification are offered. The retreat concludes with a Goodwill Tournament. Camps are also run outside of the United States.
[edit] Collegiate Karate
The ISKF is affiliated with the East Coast Collegiate Karate Union. Teruyuki Okazaki is the chairman and Chief Instructor, and Dr. Paul Smith is the director. James Sim is the ECCKU coordinator. The ECCKU has 15 member-colleges, but any karateka in college may compete.
