ISKF ITALY
Our Shotokan Karate-do school is named ISKF ITALY and operates under the technical direction of M° Fabrizio Castellani, Rokudan ISKF (6th Dan), who has been practicing martial arts since 1968. M° Castellani serves as the Chief Instructor and Country Director for Italy of the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) based in Philadelphia, USA. He is also the President of the Technical Commission AKS Italy.
ISKF ITALY is a non-profit Amateur Sports Association founded in 1984.
Aderente all'ente di promozione sportiva CSI di Roma 2024 n. 00002081
Affiliata alla Federazione Sportiva Italiana Karate per il 2024 n. k001165
Iscritta alla Accademia Karate Studio Italia
What is Karate-do ?
Karate is a martial art. The word karate translates to “empty hand” (kara-te), indicating a method of unarmed combat. However, the ultimate goal of practicing the art is to improve one’s character and elevate one’s spirit.
Learning the art involves the study of combat techniques that include the use of punches, kicks, strikes, blocks, joint locks, and throws, as well as the use of the body in movements in all directions. Through training, excellent gymnastics are practiced to develop strength, balance, speed, and coordination. With its techniques, karate engages over 90% of the body’s muscles. Through training, individuals also learn to understand themselves more deeply, better comprehend others, gain greater confidence in their abilities, and develop a more balanced personality. Ultimately, a mature understanding of karate enables the development of effective self-defense skills.
Karate-Do
In Japanese, the suffix “do” means “way.” Therefore, the term karate-do can be translated as the “way of karate.” It is with this spirit that we approach the practice of the art, and with this spirit, we invite anyone to embark on the “way” and train with sincerity and passion. While characterized by strict discipline and rigorous physical training necessary to prepare the mind and body for self-defense, karate is aimed at improving character. Through practice, individuals develop self-confidence, balance, and inner serenity. The art offers numerous philosophical and spiritual insights, teaching a high moral code of conduct and ethics.
Due to the wide variety of techniques it encompasses, Karate-Do is suitable for individuals of all heights, body types, genders, and ages, including children, teenagers, and the elderly. Shotokan is undoubtedly the most widespread style of Karate in the West, and ISKF Italy, in its teachings, places great emphasis on accurately transmitting the technical principles of authentic Japanese Karate-do.
What is ISKF ?
The International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF), based in Philadelphia (USA), is among the largest organizations in the world for Shotokan Karate. It serves as the global governing body for our style. The prominent figure within ISKF is M° Hiroyoshi Okazaki (9th Dan), serving as Chairman and Chief Instructor of ISKF. Shihan Okazaki was a direct disciple of Grand Master Teruyuki Okazaki.
Hiroyoshi Okazaki - 9° Dan
The Origins of Shotokan Karate and ISKF Worldwide
Karate-do originated on the island of Okinawa, at the southernmost tip of Japan, based on combat techniques from China (Kung-Fu). In the early 1900s, thanks to Master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), karate emerged from its confinement and began to spread first in Japan and, following World War II, throughout the rest of the world. Master Funakoshi used to sign his poems with the pseudonym “Shoto,” hence the karate he taught became known as the “Shotokan” style.
Shotokan Karate combines combat techniques from the two main schools of Okinawa, the “Shorin” school, focused on speed and mobility, and the “Shorei” school, characterized by strength and stability. In a few years, Karate-do spread throughout Japan, and in November 1948, Master Funakoshi, along with Master Masatoshi Nakayama, established the Japan Karate Association (日本 空手 協会; Nihon Karate Kyokai; JKA).
In 1956, the JKA initiated the first specialized karate instructor training program (kenshusei) at the headquarters dojo and accepted the first group of trainees. This marked the beginning of the most comprehensive karate instructor training program ever created, producing a class of highly skilled teachers. Thanks to them, Karate-do has reached our days, preserving its technical and spiritual beauty.
Gichin Funakoshi
10 november 1868 – 26 april 1957
Masatoshi Nakayama
13 april 1913 –15 april 1987
Teruyuki Okazaki
22 june 1931 – 21 april 2020
Yutaka Yaguchi
14 november 1932 - 26 october 2023
da sinistra a destra(in alto): Shojiro Koyama, Masatoshi Nakayama, Teruyuki Okazaki, Yutaka Yaguchi, Shigeru Takashina da sinistra a destra (in basso): James Field, Greer Golden, Ron Romano - 1985 Valley Forge
In 1977, Master Teruyuki Okazaki founded ISKF along with Master Yutaka Yaguchi, continuing the mission of promoting high-level technical Shotokan Karate and producing numerous champions, such as Master James Field.
James Field holds an 8th DAN black belt. Shihan Field was one of the first four Americans certified as an instructor. He is also a high-ranking examiner and judge. He has been teaching karate at the local, national, and international levels since 1968.
Shihan Field is also an internationally renowned competitor. He served as the captain of the U.S. international karate team, a multiple-time national collegiate champion, two-time national champion, two-time Pan-American champion, U.S. representative at the Olympic Games in Mexico, and medaled in the 1976 world tournament. He also served as the assistant coach for the U.S. team at the All Japan tournaments in 1983, 1992, 1993, and 1994 in Tokyo.
The ISKF ITALY school of Shotokan Karate embodies the legacy of many Shotokan Masters, with Shihan James Field standing out among them.
James Field - 8° Dan
