GRADINGS:

Clubs and organisations who become members of our Association may continue to hold dan gradings for their students in accordance with their own national and organisational rules up to the rank of 3rd dan. Therefore up to 3rd dan it will not be compulsory for students to be examined by the SSWU Dan Grading Panel.
However, the SSWU offers the opportunity for dan gradings from 1st dan and above. Therefore, up to 3rd dan, members will have the choice whether to grade their own students or submit students for grading by the SSWU Dan Grading Panel.
Examinations for senior grades of 4th dan and above will be examined by the SSWU Dan Grading Panel.
The detailed grading syllabus and rules concerning the composition of the SSWU Dan Grading Panel are found in a separate document that can be supplied upon request.

SEMINARS:

Members will be able to invite senior instructors from the SSWU to lead a seminar/course in their country. Members are invited to attend an annual seminar in central Europe. Possible contents are: traditional and modern sports karate (kata and kumite), teaching Karate to children, complimentary practice to Karate. At least every two years seminars will be organised in Japan. For a period of about ten days seminars, gradings and competition in Karate, visits and eventual participation in different Budo (Iaido, Kyudo, Judo, Kendo) or other Japanese cultures (Ikebana, …) shall be organised. Also possible two days stay in a Japanese Zen monastery. Sightseeing proposal of course included in programme.

COMPETITIONS:

Bi-annual in Japan starting 2018; Other competitions upon request e.g. integrated in a prolonged week-end with seminar and competition, to be organised by hosting country/organisation; organisational support given by SSWU. Rules for competition: World Karate Federation rules

FEES / FINANCES:

Effective January 2018 a 250 EUR membership fee will be due.
The SSWU will be further financed by fees and income generated through seminars, gradings and merchandising. If, for example, you take a grading, the fee will be divided/apportioned as follows: 1/3 to the SSWU, 1/3 will be applied to pay the expenses of the members of the grading panel, 1/3 will be received by the national organisation of which the candidate is a member.
Seminar fees for international seminars led by an SSWU expert will be used to pay the necessary travel and accommodation costs of the expert (but not their spouse or other relatives or assistants) and also the teaching fee (which will be negotiated and agreed by the DC in each case).

SSWU KARATE MASTERS (6TH DAN AND ABOVE):

• MIMOTO Teruo, Hanshi, 10th Dan Kenseikan Shitoryu Karatedo, 8th Dan Japan Karatedo Federation (Japan), soke of Kenseikan Shitoryu Karatedo Japan
• YOSEDA Masao, Shihan, 10th Dan Kenseikan Shitoryu Karatedo, 8th Dan All Japan University Karatedo Federation, 6th Dan Japan Karatedo Federation (Japan); soke of Seishinkan Shitoryu Kempo Karatedo Japan
• OHSHITA Masataka, Soke, Hanshi, 10th Dan Shitoryu, 8th Dan Austrian Karate Federation, Kyoshi & 7th Dan Japan Karatedo Federation (Japan / Austria). Head of International Shitoryu Karatedo Union.
• MILEHAM Christopher, Shihan, 8th Dan Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo (England); head of his Shukokai organisation in England
• HAUSNER Thomas, Shihan, Kyoshi, 8th Dan Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo (Austria); head of Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo Union Austria
• BARLOW Ian, Shihan, Hanshi, 8th Dan Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo (Australia) head of Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo Union Australia and contact person of Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo Union Australia
• PIZMOHT Bojan (Slovenia) : Shihan, 7th Dan, Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo (Slovenia)
• GEIGER Thomas, Shihan, Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo (Germany) head of Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo Union Germany
• MARUŠA Anton, Shihan, Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo (Slovenia) head of Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo Union Slovenia and contact person of Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo Union Slovenia
• HÖDL Ralph, Shihan, 6th Dan, Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo (Switzerland) head of Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo Union Switzerland and contact person of Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo Union Switzerland
• ČEDE Matjaž (Slovenia) : Jun Shihan, 6th Dan, Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo (Slovenia)

SSWU KARATE MASTERS (5TH DAN):

• GRUBER PAUL : Jun Shihan, Renshi, 6th Dan
• JERICHA Andreas : Jun Shihan, Renshi, 5th Dan
• GRUBER Paul : Jun Shihan, Renshi, 6th Dan
• MASKE Daniel : Jun Shihan, 6th Dan
• FREUDENSPRUNG Anton : Jun Shihan, 5th Dan
• FLORENCE Reuben (Wales): Jun Shihan, 5th Dan
• FEIERABENT Karl (Swiss): Jun Shihan, 5th Dan

BASE OF SSWU IN JAPAN:

Our base in Japan is the KENSEIKAN (Kenseikan Shitoryu Karatedo) group, which is small but of very fine quality and standard.
Ken means “fist”, sei means “be born” or “alive”, kan means “house” (term frequently used for organisations, to be found as well for example in Shotokan).
Kenseikan is led by MIMOTO Teruo Hanshi, (8th Dan Japan Karatedo Federation and 10th Dan Kenseikan Shitoryu Karatedo). We have enjoyed close ties and collaborated with Mimoto sensei for over twenty years,. Until only a few years ago he was the third-highest ranking member of a different Shitoryu Shukokai organisation and held this position for more than thirty years. Kenseikan offers seminars, practice and the possibility for dan-gradings (to be organised by SSWU). We also collaborate with the SEISHINKAN group. Seishinkan is led by YOSEDA Masao, Shihan, (8th Dan All Japan University Karatedo Federation, 6th Dan Japan Karatedo Federation and 10th Dan Kenseikan Shitoryu Karatedo). Yoseda sensei was also an important member in the same Shitoryu Shukokai organisation as Mimoto sensei until a few years ago. Yoseda sensei is also responsible for the Karate Club of Osaka University. Seishinkan is a huge group and its annual competition attracts between 1.000 and 1.500 competitors. Seishinkan offers seminars and will provide the SSWU with access to exceptional competitions. Mimoto sensei and Yoseda sensei have a very good and strong personal relationship based on shared positive values and for this reason we have chosen to ally our Association with them

LOGO (SSWU LOGO AND NATIONAL/ORGANISATIONAL LOGOS):

The SSWU logo can be found on the top of every page of this document. Clubs and organisations who become members of the SSWU may retain and use their own logos and will not be required to adopt the SSWU logo. To Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo World Union Member of Kenseikan Shitoryu Karatedo Japan demonstrate unity members are requested, where possible, to display the SSWU logo, for example on official papers etc.