History of Yoshukai

Yoshukai Karate can trace its lineage back to the founding fathers of karate in Okinawa over three hundred years ago. The Japanese Grandmaster, Katsuo Yamamoto, began his formal training in the Chito-Ryu style under Dr. Chitose. In 1959, he opened his own school in Kitakyushu, Japan. From 1960 to 1963, Yamamoto was considered the top competitor in Japan. In 1963 Dr. Chitose pronounced him the Grandmaster of the Yoshukai style of karate.

We are proud that World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization is the only karate association recognized and certified by Yoshukai founder Grandmaster Katsuo Yamamoto.  The organization is led by Kaicho Hiroaki Toyama and Kaicho Mike Culbreth.

WYKKO now has more than 1,000 members in more than 30 branches throughout the United States, including Florida, Alabama, Texas, Georgia, California and North Carolina.

To learn more about the history of WYKKO, you can visit Grand Master Yamamoto's website.