WELCOME to the Juneau Shotokan Karate web site. We hope that your visit to our site is both enjoyable and informational. If you have any questions that you are unable to find answers too, please feel free to drop us a line at info@juneaushotokan.org.

Founded by Master Gichin Funakoshi, Shotokan is a traditional Japanese martial art. Named after it's founder's penname, Shoto, meaning "Pine Wave" and Kan meaning "house", Shotokan karate is steeped in tradition based on the guiding principles set forth by Master Funakoshi: character, sincerity, effort, etiquette and self-control. A non-contact martial art, Shotokan teaches both offensive and defensive techniques that utilize all parts of the body and is broken down into three main training components: kihon (basics), kata (forms) and kumite (sparring).

Since 1983 Juneau Shotokan Karate has endeavored to both follow, and guide students on the path to self-awareness and fulfillment, while striving to instill Master Funakoshi's principals. Juneau Shotokan Karate encourages you to take the opportunity to not only better yourself physically but also mentally. We encourage you to stop by the dojo to watch a class, talk wethe students and see if we are what you are looking for. The only requirement we have is that all new students must be a minimum of seven years of age.

Juneau Shotokan Karate is a member of the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) which is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Master Teruyuki Okazaki, Chairman and Chief Instructor of the ISKF, was one of the first instructors sent to the United States in 1961 to spread the art of Karate. The ISKF has clubs located throughout the western hemisphere including Canada, the United States, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

The ISKF Anchorage regional tournament is March 28th (at the Anchorage-Spenard Rec Center). Right now airfares to Anchorage are $129 one way through Jan 24th. If you are interested in participating in the tournament let me know. If you want to fly up as a group so we can use the same transportation to and from and that sort of stuff let me know. Thanks Diana

If you plan on participating let me know. Of course this requires additional training...

Two fourteen year olds, Tyrel Kramp(Shodan) and Denali Wentz (itchi kyu) from Juneau Shotokan Karate spent two weeks in China as part of the Aurora String Ensemble. Starting in Beijing they visited the Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan Garden) and performance. While there they also visited the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. On their visit to Beihai Park, the temple of heaven, they had an exchange and performance. They also visited the Great Wall of China and the future Olympic site from the outside. They also visited Xi’an, Shanghai and Hangzhou. Click here to see pictures from their trip.

Tyrel and Denali study in Juneau with Gou Ah Xia. Tyrel has been studing the cello for 4 years and Denali started the violin at age 7, and now studies the viola as well. They are very excited to be able to perform along side the chinese students from the various schools while visiting each city. Traveling with Tyrel was his mother Tonia and younger brother (itchi kyu) Ethan. Denali traveled with his mother (shodan) Faith Rogers, and (shodan) Birger Baastrup.