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Kobe Osaka International[edit]
Kobe Osaka International (KOI) is a worldwide organization dedicated to Karate-do and self-defence training. Founded by Hachidan (8th Dan) Sensei Tommy Morris in 1991 and based in Scotland, KOI has affiliates and member dojos in more than 40 countries worldwide.
KOI is self-described as a non-political organisation that’s primary goal and focus is to spread the “practice and enjoyment of karate-do through international co-operation and friendship amongst people regardless of race or creed, by means of international seminars, training camps and competitions.[1]
Kobe Osaka International is based on the Shito-ryu and the Shukokai styles of Karate and is a member of the World Karate Federation.
History[edit]
Sensei Tommy Morris[edit]
After participating in close combat courses as a part of his Royal Marines Reserve training, Tommy Morris heard of new techniques and styles of Karate that were at the time, sweeping through France and the U.S with increased popularity. In 1961, with no one to teach him, Tommy Morris began learning Karate from books and manuals, spending two years training alone and unsupervised. In 1963, Tommy Morris wrote to Shotokan karate expert Monsieur Henri Plee and was invited to France to began training at the Academie Francaise d’Arts Martiaux.
Upon returning home, Tommy Morris started up a small karate training session at the Osaka Judo Club in Albion Street and from there, Karate began to grow and grow in Scotland. Tommy Morris made history by being the first ever Scotsman to be awarded a Black Belt (the rank of Shodan) in Karate. In 1965 the Scottish Karate-do Association was formed Tommy Morris being the highest ranked Karateka in Scotland as its head. With Karate’s popularity in Scotland growing, and the Kobe Osaka Dojo winning at a regional championship, Tommy joined Yoshinao Nanbu and spent two months touring Japan, seeing as many Karate styles as possible. It wasn’t until Tommy met Sensei Chojiro Tani, the founder of the Shukokai style of karate. After heavy training under Sensei Tani, Tommy Morris was awarded his Sandan, or 3rd Dan Black Belt.[2]
Kobe Osaka coming into its own[edit]
With the Kobe Osaka clubs in Scotland spreading into greater Europe, and Tommy Morris becoming Scotland’s first and at the time, only International Karate Referee and later being appointed by the European Karate Union as Vice Chairman of the European Referees Commission, Kobe Osaka’s popularity, and the popularity of Karate itself continued to grow. In 1977, Tommy Morris was elected Chairman of the World Union of Karate-do Organisations (W.U.K.O) Rules Committee (the predecessor to the World Karate Federation.)
Earlier in 1973, the Kobe Osaka Dojo broke away from the Scottish Karate-do Association and Tommy Morris spearheaded the creation of the Scottish Karate Board of Control, and was then awarded his Godan or 5th Dan Black belt by Senseis Tani and Kimura.
Out of widespread interest and increased support, Kobe Osaka International was formed in 1991. In 1999, Tommy Morris was appointed Chairman of the World Karate Federation’s Sports Commission, and in 2003 he was awarded is Hachidan or 8th Dan Black belt by the WKF.[3]
International Members[edit]
In KOI’s beginning, Kobe Osaka Russia was responsible for taking out a lot of medals in international competition, however more recently other regional sub-organisations have began to take larger part including Kobe Osaka Norway, Kobe Osaka United Kingdom and Kobe Osaka Italia. Another large sub-organisation within KOI is Kobe Osaka Australia, with many clubs in Victoria. These dojos include Highett, Chelsea Heights, Cranbourne, Carrum Dows, Pakenham, Ferntree Gully and Mt. Eliza (this information coming from www.kimekai.com.au)
Kobe Osaka International holds yearly training camps, Instructor seminars and is also responsible for holding the KOI World Cup that is held yearly at different Kobe Osaka clubs and locations worldwide. 2007 will see the KOI World Cup and International Training camp at Varna, Bulgaria.
Karate Style[edit]
Kobe Osaka International follows the ‘standard’ style of Shukokai Karate that was established in by Sensei Tani in 1949 and like most Karate styles in general, focuses the key tenants of Stance, Form, Technique, Force and Control.