ABE Keigo 9th Dan JSKA Chief Instructor

ABE Keigo Sensei, founded the JAPAN SHOTOKAN KARATE ASSOCIATION the 10th Februar
y 1999. Abe Sensei holds 9th Dan in the Japan Shotokan Karate Association and is
the JSKA Chief Instructor. It is one of the fastest growing Shotokan associatio
ns in the world. Abe Keigo Sensei was born in October 1938 in the town of Iyoshi
in Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku Island in East Japan. Abe Sensei started Karate
and Judo training when he was 15 years old. In 1956 he entered the Japan Enginee
ring University in Tokyo from which he graduated in 1960. In 1958 Abe Sensei sta
rted to train at the Headquarters of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) where he
met a young and powerful Sensei, NAKAYAMA Masatoshi Sensei, who was to become h
is grand master. Abe Sensei trained there every day for nearly 35 years. During
this time, Abe Sensei was informed by Nakayama Sensei that Nakayama Sensei himse
lf was taught by FUNAKOSHI Gichin Sensei as well as by his son FUNAKOSHI Yoshita
ka. This is further reflected in the teaching of Abe Sensei and the JSKA. In 196
5 Abe Sensei graduated as JKA instructor, progressing to become an important mem
ber of the JKA Headquarters instructors staff and in 1985 was appointed Director
of Qualifications; in 1990, Abe Sensei was appointed Technical Director of the J
KA (Matsuno section), a position held until retiring from the JKA (Matsuno secti
on) on 31st January 1999, and on the behest of his students worldwide, forming t
he JSKA. Abe Sensei, through his unique position as senior student of Nakayama S
ensei, is and will remain an integral part of the evolution of the Shotokan styl
e.
Abe Sensei has also taught and influenced some of the top Japanese instructors i
n the world to day, and headed numerous delegations in around 50 countries for t
he JSKA and the Japanese government. Abe Sensei is also one of the few Karate-ka
to have refereed in the presence of the Emperor of Japan during a Japan nationa
l tournament. This is indeed a great honor in Japan and only highly respected Ka
rate-ka might ever attain such a level of recognition.
Abe Sensei has been also an official instructor with the Japanese Ministry of Ed
ucation, Culture, Sports and Technology, a national referee for the JKF, and an
international referee for the WKF/WUKO. When approached by Hollywood, Nakayama S
ensei delegated Abe Sensei as fight consultant on the filming of the James Bond
movie You Only Live Twice , an experience which remains one of Abe Sensei s many fond
memories.
Abe Sensei was also an accomplished competitor and took 3rd place in the first J
KA National Championship; was the Japanese team s captain at the second WUKO World
Championship in Paris, France; won 1st place in the team competition at the 197
3 JKA International Friendship Tournament; and took 1st place in both the second
and third JKF National Championships as a representative of Tokyo. A highly rat
ed and dangerously competent fighter, Abe Sensei also devised the original rules
for Ippon Shobu competition in a manner preserving the Budo spirit through the
concept of killing with one perfect, decisive blow .
Although not well known, Abe Sensei is also a fighter that kept Enoeda Sensei, t
he Shotokan Tiger , at bay, in 1961 at a major Japanese tournament. Enoeda Sensei w
as already well renowned for his skills, ferocity and strength, and the fight we
nt on to six enchosen (extensions), Enoeda Sensei finally winning only on hantei
(decision), a memorable fight which reflects Abe Sensei s skills, technical abili
ties, spirit and tenacity in the Dojo and his humility outside.
Abe Sensei has a great understanding of Karate history and philosophy through th
e formation and development of Shotokan style into what he perceives the future
has to offer: I feel that today s Karate is centered only on winning competitions a
nd everyone trains towards this end. But this is very far from the true purpose
of Karate. I believe that the true purpose of Karate lies in daily training with
a goal to develop in parallel a strong body and mind and furthermore to contrib
ute to society in general; the Karate-do we practice has for essential purpose t
o attain a correct control of body and mind . Abe Sensei established the JSKA to r
ealize what he himself sees as the true purpose of Karate.
The JSKA Karate philosophy is to

Improve technique as a sport

Enjoy Karate practice as a means for developing a healthy body and mind.
Learn self-defense as a martial art
Karate-ka who understand these principles are most welcome to join us.
Japan Shotokan Karate Association
Tokyo, May 2009