8th Scordilis Koei Kan Karate Do Cup 2023 : Cyprus 01.07.2023

Koei-Kan Karate-Do is a traditional system of Karate Do originating in Japan. Master Eizo Onishi founded it in 1954. His teacher, Master Kanken Toyama, suggested the name Koei-Kan to Onishi. The basic translation of Koei-Kan, happiness (ko), prosperity (ei), and hall or house (kan), implies its underlying philosophy: "prosper with happiness toward the future." The ultimate purpose of Koei-Kan Karate-Do, by means of combative training and discipline, is to cultivate character. Koei-Kan is devoted to developing the spirit, and encourages the individual to find success and fulfillment. Onishi Eizo was the pupil of two famous Okinawan Karate Masters, Toyama Kanken (1888-1966) and Kyoda Juhatsu (1887-1968). Master Onishi opened his first Koei-Kan dojo on April 2nd, 1954 in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Koei-Kan has a unique form of full contact fighting called Bogu Kumite (sparring with armor protection). The armor, called "bogu", consists of a mask to protect the face and a construction to link the movement of the head to the movement of the shoulders. It was developed to allow the practitioner to strike an opponent with full contact without fear of serious injury. Another unique aspect of Koei-Kan training is its systemized method of body transfer called "Tenshin Waza", which incorporates methods of body transfer, dodging, evasion, footwork, rolling, and breakfalls.
Onishi Sensei was also an expert in Naha-te and Shuri-te. The Koei-Kan kata syllabus includes 5 Pinan Kata, 3 Naihanchin, Sanchin, Sanseiru, Seisan, Chinto, 4 Kushanku Kata, 2 Passai Kata, Sepai, Gojushiho, Suparinpei, Jaken Ichiro, and Renchiken Ichiro. Kobudo kata (Okinawan Weapons) are also practiced, including the bo, nunchaku, sai, kama and tonfa.
The primary foundational techniques are strikes, punches, blocks and kicks. Secondary techniques are throws, escapes, joint locks, chokes, grappling, ground fighting. Methods of application of techniques are kata (forms), waza (technique), and kumite (sparring).
A traditional martial art such as Koei-Kan is distinguished from other disciplines in many respects. Primary among these is its reliance upon ancient and authentic teaching methods, accrued and perfected over generations. The physical discipline, the art of karate-do, also retains an underlying philosophy, which can be characterized in a few ideas. A true martial art is foremost a defensive discipline: karate ni sente nashi (in karate there is no first attack). In the course of honing combative skills, one also learns to discover and develop the state of mushin, no-mindedness, a flowing, open state of awareness. Therein one holds no preconceptions, and acts spontaneously, both during combat and ultimately in life as a whole. This is exemplified in the meaning of the term "karate", empty (kara) - hand (te), which not only signifies a hand free of weapons but also a mind free of distraction.
The means of instruction in Koei-Kan are also traditional. All students start from the beginning. The practice and application of karate is built on a foundation of fundamentals. Instruction encompasses a wide range of fighting skills built upon this foundation, refined through continual repetition and practice. Japanese terminology is employed, and students are expected to pay heed to proper form and etiquette. Students are also required to retain a basic knowledge of the history of karate as well as the origins of Koei-Kan.
Rank advancement is based on merit. Testing students are expected to execute proper form, as well as understanding basic terminology and principles appropriate to their rank. Koei-Kan's belt-ranking system comprises an intermediate-beginner's belt (shichi-kyu), then three levels of green-belt, three levels of brown-belt, until one achieves black-belt. A dedicated student can earn a black belt within about five years.
Our location: Cyprus Koei Kan Karate Do is located in Limassol, Ypsonas under the supervision of Sensei Christos Isaias, Yon Dan in Koei Kan Karate Do system and member of the Cyprus Fudokan Shotokan Karate national Team.