|
|
Tradition
Currently, the majority of karate training facilities heavily emphasize sport karate, so this is what the public perception of karate is today. Sport karate has provided many people with its benefits. But sport karate, which began in Japan in 1927, is a fairly recent development in light of the centuries of what existed before, and it is not the same as the original karate. The first world tournament that inculded jiyu kumite (free sparring) took place in 1958. Before (and after) that, traditional Okinawan masters believed that karate was much too dangerous to be conducted in a sport setting. We agree with the masters, and for over thirty two years have strived to practive and preserve the original esssence of the traditional karate perfected many centuries ago.
It is easy to follow the herd and go with the current trend, or to be taken in by gimmick, or fad. We choose to follow the tradition of karate that was forged out of the wisdown gained from the life and death struggles of mankind since time began. We do not encourage competition between karate-ka. There is no matching of free sparring. We do not enter tournaments or encourage entering tournaments. We follow and practive the original essence of traditional karate which includes ippon kumite (one step sparring drill), sandan kumite (three step sparring drill), and yakusoku kumite (pre-arranged sparring drill.)
The school (Dojo) now known as the Hershey Karate Club was born during the 1970's and was originally located at 209 North Railroad Street and later 315 North Chestnut Street, Palmyra before moving to the 1600 block of E. Chocolate Ave., Hershey in February 1992. We moved to our present location in April 1996. The Club has been in continuous operation since its beginning, proving to be an enduring organization which has earned an excellent reputation as an authentic martial arts training academy of the highest caliber. We are honored to be associated with:
- Okinawa Isshin-Ryu Karate and Kobu-Do Association
- Isshin-Ryu World Karate Association
- Martial Arts Masters, Pioneers & Legends Hall of Fame Council International, Norwalk, Connecticut
- Okinawa Isshin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Association Hall of Fame
- United States Martial Arts Association
|
