Though there are very few written records of the history and traditions of the early stages of the Martial Arts, hisitorians generally agree on two aspects of the evolution of Karate. First, history has recorded and documented over 700 styles and systems of combat forms, some which include weapons and some do not. These systems have developed in nearly every country in the world including the most primitive civilizations. Secondly, most historians agree on the modern progression of today's styles as having come from India to China to Okinawa (and other Asian Islands) finally to Japa where became extremely popular. This text will trace only the transfer of our art from Okinawa to Japan to the United States.
The style known as "Shudo-Kan" was developed by Master S.A. Brock in 1963 after he returned from Tachikawa, Japan where he had studied the Okinawan Art of Suri-estu Karate. His instructor was Master Toshio Hanaue who was also a Bo-jitsu Master. After receiving his Blak Belt in Japan, he returned to the United States to establish the first Shudo-Kan of Orthodox Okinawan Karate. When first asked about the style of Karate that he had studied, he referred to the certificate of rank in Shudo-Kan. The translation of Shudo-Kan means, "headquarters" or "source of knowledge". Master Brock chose this name to prevent plagiarism of the true art that he had studied and brought from Japan. The true style of Suri-etsu was not revealed to the students until they were fourth-degree Black Belt or above and a registered instructor in the National Karate Association. Any rank in Shudo-Kan awarded by another association or organization is not valid unless it has been certified through the National Karate Association and signed by Master S.A. Brock.
There have been some students of Shudo-Kan who have been expelled or have left the N.K.A. to seek rank from other systems or organizations. Other students falsely copied the name from early issues of Black Belt magazine (1963-1964). Some of these students have been promoted outside of the N.K.A., yet still profess to hold rank in the style Shudo-Kan.
