Yudansha Kobujutsu Karate-Do Federation (YKKF) translates to Black belt, Ancient art, Empty handed way. Founded in 1978 by Shihan Ron Yamanaka. The YKKF is a worldwide federation, committed to preserving the intrinsic worth of traditional martial arts the most popular Budo arts taught at our schools are Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate, Yamanaka ha Shindo-ryu Jujutsu, Maroto-ha Takeda-ryu Iaido and Shaolin Kung Fu. Built on respect, honour and fraternity, all schools within the YKKF work in harmony for their mutual advancement and the discovery of the meaning and ultimate purpose of Budo.
The Founder - Saiko Shihan Yamanaka
Yamanaka Sensei holds the position of Life Coach, Mentor and Advisor to Ikigai Dojo.
One of the world's highest ranking Martial Arts Instructors, Shihan Yamanaka, has been recognized by the Government of Canada, former Prime Minister of Japan, Ontario Provincial Police, Metropolitan Toronto Police, Peel Regional Police; Minister of Natural Resources, Boards of Education and numerous charitable organizations for his standards of integrity and technical excellence. Shihan Yamanaka has trained over 100,000 people in 22 countries including our Chief Instructor Nathaniel Peat.
Shihan Yamanaka currently holds some of the highest titles, ranks, and positions in the Martial Arts world including: 9th degree Black Belt Shaolin Chuan Fa, 8th degree Black Belt Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate, 9th degree Black Belt Shindo Ryu Jujutsu, 8th degree Black Belt Wado Ryu Karate and Founder and Chief Instructor Yudansha Kobujitsu Karatedo Federation. He has been bestowed with the title of "Kyoshi", by the Japanese Governing Body for Rank Certification. Kyoshi means teacher of teachers. He has received positive responses worldwide for his seminars on Personal Protection, Martial Arts and Police Defense Tactics.
Shihan Yamanaka is a direct lineage Descendant of Grandmaster Masaru Shintani who is the father of Wado Ryu Karate in Canada and the man who first introduced Shindo to Canadians. Grandmaster Shintani is a direct student of Hinori Otsuka the founder of Wado Ryu Karate. Shihan Yamanaka began his training in 1962 under Grandmaster David Chong and still remains his disciple today. Grandmaster Chong is a direct lineage descendant of the famous Kung Fu legend Wong Fei Hung.
As a direct student of Grandmaster Eiichi Miyazato, Shihan Yamanaka was privy to the innermost workings of Goju Ryu Karate. Sensei Eiichi Miyazato was the direct successor of The Founder of Goju Ryu Grandmaster Chojun Miyagi.
Saiko Shihan Ron Yamanaka
• 9th Degree Black Belt Yamanaka-ha Shindo Ryu Jujutsu
• 9th Degree Black Belt Shaolin Chuan Fa Kung Fu
• 8th Degree Black Belt Goju Ryu Karatedo
• 8th Degree Black Belt Wado Ryu Karate