Sensei Tani began studying Goju Karate while at Junior High school. When he entered the Doshisha University, he began studying Shito Ryu Karate. Upon receiving his Menko (Teachers Certificate) from Kenwa Mabuni, Sensei Tani began teaching Tani-Ha Shito Ryu at his own Dojo in 1948. He proudly hung a wood carved sign above the entrance which said Shukokai. Sensei Tani sought to perfect his style by studying the mechanics of the human body and developed techniques which can be delivered with maximum efficiency.
Over a long period of time Sensei Tani evolved and developed Shukokai. He always laid stress on the importance of etiquette, discipline and mental control and was at pains constantly to promote the improvement of technique.
When Sensei Tani retired as Chief Technical Director he appointed Shigeru Kimura (8th Dan) as his successor. Kimura Sensei had won the World All-Styles Championship when only 21 years of age and had twice been the All-Japan champion before retiring from active competition.
The word Shukokai is somewhat difficult to translate. It is easier to break the word down into it's components to obtain a better understanding of what it means.
Shu can be translated to mean "Training";
Ko can be translated to mean "Many people meeting, a crossing or intersection, to come together.";
Kai can be translated to mean "Association, to train under one roof."
Sensei Kimura arrived in the US in 1970 at the age of 29 after teaching in Rhodesia and South Africa and establishing a reputation of master level Shukokai Karate throughout the world. He had a short stay in Albany, NY with Sensei Kidachi and ended up teaching in Cranford, NJ for Sensei Yonezuka for two years. This is where Sensei Bill Bressaw first met him in December of 1970 as a 3rd dan of an Okinawan style of Karate that he had been training in from 1966 to 1970.
At that time Sensei George McGrath , at age 56, was a Brown belt in 1971 and received his black belt in Scotland when attending an eight day Gashuku. In 1972 Sensei opened his first dojo in Hackensack, NJ. It was a long and narrow area. Sensei and his Uchideshi (those living and training with him) at the time (including Sensei Lionel Marinus as well as several others) lived in the basement underneath the Dojo floor. At this dojo was the beginning of the one special night a week when the most senior students would meet and test each others' skills until Sensei shouted YAMI.
These were very heated Friday nights that weren't very good for spectators but excellent to forge what would become a lifetime of devoted practitioners and Bushido family. Every Friday was a test of the strongest will and strength where Sensei would test the technique he taught to his Uchideshi against the once a week visitors who did not learn the same technique until after it was tested on them. It was his way to develop the technique and keep everyone coming so that they would not miss the latest of his teachings.