Our IHSKF History
A Short Introduction to our IHSKF
The mission of the
International Hayashi-ha Shito-ryu Karate-do Federation is to preserve, promote
and exemplify the classical Karate-do philosophy and teachings of Soke Teruo Hayashi.
Soke ("Grandmaster") Teruo Hayashi, the founder of Hayashi-ha
Shito-Ryu Karate was one of the most prominent figures in modern Karate-do.
During his lifetime, he studied and adapted many different styles of Okinawan
and Japanese Karate. His system of Karate-do was studied world-wide, with
branches on every continent. He also included a system of traditional Okinawan
weapons arts, known as Kenshin-ryu Kobudo. Soke Hayashi passed away in 2004, at
the age of 79.
Hanshi
("Master") Julius
Thiry was one of Soke
Hayashi's most senior students, having trained with him for over 45 years.
Hanshi Thiry is an 9th dan Karate practitioner and instructor
who received his rank and status directly from Soke Teruo Hayashi. During Soke
Hayashi's lifetime, Hanshi Thiry was responsible for the development and
practice of Hayashi-ha style Karate-do in the United States, South America, and
Eastern Europe. He personally trained numerous national and international
Karate Champions for the United States.
In addition, Hanshi
Thiry was the founder and three time President of the USA National Karate-do
Federation ("USANKF"). Under his leadership, in 1999, the USANKF was
accepted by the United States Olympic Committee as the National Governing Body
for the sport of Karate, a status which has continued to this date. While
Hanshi Thiry was President of the USANKF, the status of United States Karate
rose to that of Pan- American Champions and was ranked third in the world.
The International
Hayashi-ha Shito-ryu Karate-do Federation ("Federation") was founded
in 2005 by Hanshi Thiry to preserve and teach the Karate-do and Kobudo which
had been passed to him by Soke Teruo Hayashi. The Federation is a non-profit
organization with member national federations and clubs in the United States,
Hungary, Rumania, Japan and South America. The Board of Directors for the
Federation is composed of the Presidents of the National Federations and the
officers of the corporation. The Federation also maintains standing committees
to facilitate competition and educational seminars.
Hanshi Thiry serves as
the Chairman of the Federation as well as the Chair of the Technical Committee.
As such, he personally supervises the administration and the technical
proficiency of the Federation members to be sure that they adhere to the standards
of Hayashi-ha Karate-do.