Ishitobi Kazuo Sensei
Shitoryu Shūkōkai Karate World Union
Hanchidan – 8th Dan, Hanchi
Ishitobi Kazuo Sensei started training with Tani Soke at the age of 16 and started teaching at the age of 25, shortly after opening his own Dojo.
I teach and train five days a week within my own dojos. I have Saturday off and most Sundays are filled with running and refereeing tournaments or conducting referee seminars as a member of the Japanese Karate Federation.
My personal training has not differed, as Sensei Tani always loved doing kihon [fundamental technique] and kata with a deep understanding of bunkai [the combative application of kata technique]. However, my own teaching has changed as many students in Japan now compete in sport karate, so therefore I have had to adapt and teach for this need, as well as continue the Shūkōkai spirit in the kihon.