Chidokai Karate–Do

The Australian Chidokai Karate-do Association was formed in late 2003 by Dr Ed Hudson (8th dan) with the principle objective of applying classical Shotokan karate-do to real-life practical applications. This change in direction resulted in many of the current Chidokan dojos electing to form a new organistion the Australian Chidokai Karate-do Association.

The original founders of The Australian Chidokai Karate-do Association comprised of the following:

• Renshi Hudson (Chief Instructor)
• Shihan McCormick (Manilla, NSW)
• Shihan Spiros (Sydney)
• Sensei Podda (Sydney)
• Sensei Alexander (Sydney)
• Sensei Hill (NZ)

All of the above were senior members of the Chidokan Karate-do (Aust.) organisation a founding member
of the Australian Karate Federation, formerly known as the Federation of Australian Karate-do Organisations (FAKO).

The Australian Chidokai Karate-do Association is committed to continue training in the traditional Chidokan way but with a focus on body shifting (tai-sabaki), combinations and real-life self-defence applications associated with techniques from Shotokan kata. Regular gashakus continue to be an important development program for all Chidokai students. Gasshakus are used as a tool to effectively maintain unity and purpose among all students as well as ensuring that all dojos receive adequate training in the understanding of and the effective execution of karate based techniques.

In addition to the above, all students and instructors receive a monthly newsletter which contains various information and articles that are of interest.

Moreover, Chidokai has published and continues to undertake research into various aspects of karate as it relates to training and kata applications. This research appears in a number of publications which is available to members of The Australian Chidokai Karate-do Association.

The Australian Chidokai Karate-do Association is a current member of the Australian Traditional Karate-do Federation (ATKF).

History (Pre 2003)

Chidokan Karate-Do (Aust) was a founding member of FAKO now known as AKF, Australian Karate Federation.

Chidokan Karate-Do (Aust) is also a member of the JKF (Japanese Karate Federation) previously known as FAJKO, through its affiliation with Rengokai in Japan.

Through Chidokan’s membership in both AKF and JKF it is also a member of WKF (World Karate Federation) previously known as WUKO.

The Australian Chidokai Association is a member of the Australian Traditional Karate Federation.

• There are 25 Chidokan dojos in Japan (as at 1982).
• There are 8 karate ka who are 5th Dan or over (as at 1982).
• In March 1982 there were over 350 Chidokan Black Belts.
• Chidokan operates a 10 dan grading system.
• The highest dan grade in Chidokan is 8th Dan (Hanshi Sasaki).
• Chidokan dojos are in Japan, USA, Canada, NZ, Switzerland, Australia, France, Monaco, Fiji.
• In 1982 the Swiss team won the WUKO team event.

Chidokan–The Style

Chidokan is the “school” name for this association. The style that is practiced is Shotokan. There are many vehicle manufacturers in the world but they don’t all call themselves vehicle manufacturers. They call themselves by various names and develop various corporate images and symbols (badges).

The same with karate there are various “schools” which have their own image (badge) but they may practice the same style.

Chidokan Achievements

Chidokan students have won many state and national tournaments including the very first Australian Karate championships held in Sydney. In addition, many Chidokan students have been state and national representatives.

Today, Chidokan students are in various representative teams such as state and national teams. Chidokan students have also been very successful at many regional tournaments in both kata and kumite in kyu and dan grade divisions. Historically, Chidokan students have done well in both Kata and Kumite at various tournaments. As a school, Chidokan is well respected by other “traditional” Japanese karate schools/styles around Australia. This has been achieved by Chidokan’s dedication to maintaining a high standard and Chidokan Instructor’s commitment to concentrating on “technique” and its effective application rather than “form”.

It is a little known fact that the Shotokan katas accepted at WUKO (now WKF) sanctioned tournaments, are all based on the Chidokan version of these katas. JKA (Nakayama) or SKIA (Kanazowa) versions are not the officially accepted versions.

Hanshi Sasaki supported this fact during his visit to the Australian Hombu dojo in 1983. He gave Kiyoshi Clutterbuck two kata books, which had the sanctioned katas from the four major karate styles. The shotokan versions being the Chidokan versions, which were performed by high ranking Chidokan black belts.