Kazoku Kai International

BRIEF INTRODUCTION.

The basic idea of Kazoku kai was brought into being by the Chief instructor Derek Ridgway in approximately 1984.

The Japanese word "KAZOKU" broadly translates into the English word "family". This concept of members all being part of a family is at the heart of Kazoku Kai ideology. We think that it is important that members feel part of the association they have joined, and don't just feel like a number on a membership list.

Although Wado-Ryu is the principle style of Kazoku Kai, we don’t believe in limiting ourselves to one style's techniques or kata. This relates to our belief that all styles are part of a family, that family being Karate. If we are to go forward we must train together and learn from each other, while still maintaining our roots within our style.

AIMS

The main aims of the association shall be to foster and develop Karate along traditional lines. To teach and preserve the Traditional Kata and their Bunkai (applications) and to promote friendship and an open attitude to learning between karate-ka of different styles.

COMPETITION KARATE

Although we pride ourselves in being a Traditional Karate association we recognise the needs of those who wish to compete, especially of young people. To satisfy this need we have our own senior and junior squads with regular squad sessions and the opportunity to compete both at home and abroad.

COACHING

Kazoku kai has its own coaching scheme. Derek Ridgway is a national coaching assesssor (E.K.G.B.) qualified. All instructors are expected to attend coaching courses, certificates are available for those who qualify.

COURSES

Throughout the year kazoku Kai prides itself with holding many training courses all over Great Britain. As well as courses with Sensei Derek Ridgway we also hold courses with guest instructors from different styles and nationalities. We also do at least one course abroad where members can mix training with a holiday and bring their families. These courses are not just a chance for different clubs to come together and train but to socialise and make new friends. For the juniors we have our own camp in the summer holidays which is always really well attended and enjoyed by all who come along.

THE KAZOKU KAI BADGE OR EMBLEM

This is what appears on all our certificates/diplomas etc, and is also our association gi badge. It was designed to contain the essence of our philosophy within Kazoku Kai. (Merchandise with the emblem on is available from Head Office). The green circle symbolises peace and harmony as the colour green is associated with peace, and represents harmony with ourselves and nature. We believe all martial artists must ultimately strive for peace within themselves with others and with nature. The green circle also links us with the “WA” part of Wado which represents peace and harmony. As Wado-Ryu was the first style that sensei Derek Ridgway studied (before his interest in Shito-Ryu) we feel this green circle links us with our Wado roots. The black lines that cross through the circle represent the fact that peace often has to be fought for and in cases of dire emergency when we do have to fight, we can do so and very forcefully. Hence the black line breaking through the green circle to symbolise this concept, The Japanese writing near the centre says simply KAZOKU. Being a traditional association we maintain strong links with many Japanese sensei. The use of japanese writing on our emblem represents this link and the respect we have for Karate Masters both past and present.

TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS FEDERATION (T.M.A.F.)

T.M.A.F. was formed by a group of Senior Instructors who were concerned with the need to keep a high level of Traditional Karate in this country and abroad. The idea is to come together and to train, to share ideas and knowledge for the betterment of karate as a whole, both in this country and beyond.

PRINCIPLE INSTRUCTORS OF T.M.A.F.

HARRY COOK - GOJU/ SHOTOKAN

JULIAN MEAD YUISHINKAI KARATE / WEAPONS

DEREK RIDGWAY WADO / SHITO-RYU

Via these instructors we have access to the four main styles of karate and the Okinawan weapons system. We believe that this is the only Federation to be able to offer this much knowledge and level of instruction to its members.

MEMBERSHIP OF T.M.A.F.

This is open to any like minded association world wide. Contact head office for details.

KAZOKU KAI CHIEF INSTRUCTOR DEREK RIDGWAY

Derek started his training in the early 1970’s originally at a Shotokan dojo at his school. Before long the club folded and Derek had to look elsewhere for instruction. This was when he started to train in Wado-ryu at a club in Wolverhampton in the midlands of England. Derek continued his Wado-Ryu training under people such as Peter Spanton, Roy Partridge, Toru Takamizawa, K. Sakagami, M. Shiomitsu. He also trained with people of the time of other styles such as the late Steve Cattle who was one of Derek’s closest friends. Derek continued his Wado training (which he still does) but he was always looking, searching for something that was when he met his Shito-Ryu sensei Shihan Keiji Tomiyama who is a master of both the Shito and Goju schools. Over the last 15 years Derek has included more and more of sensei Tomiyama’s karate into his training programme. In September 1994 Derek passed his 5th Dan in front of some of the most senior karate-ka in Great Britain. He now teaches either Wado or Shito-Ryu to an ever growing amount of students worldwide, with conections throughout Europe, the U.S.A. Canada and India.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON KAZOKU KAI

E-MAIL:- derek@kazoku.fsnet.co.uk

190 CANNOCK ROAD, WESTCROFT, NEAR WOLVERHAMPTON, STAFFS, ENGLAND, WV10 8QP.

tel - fax:- 01902 865070