The organisation
Please find below a complete list of all the official member branches of the New International Karate Organization, NIKO.

For branches overseas the list includes the name and rank of the branch chief, too.

The main purpose of this, the first list of it's kind to be published, is to honour the branches and branch chiefs in question.

Also the various students of a branch, may now verify by themselves that the particular branch, they belong to, is a legal branch and has been approved by Honbu in Japan.

Unfortunately this is not always so. Due to the rapid spread of the popular Ashihara style throughout the world, many enthusiastic students have just began practising Ashihara Karate without any concern to, whether the dojo in question was a legal one in terms of being recognised by Honbu in Japan, or not.

This is quite understandable, as long as we speak of beginners. But as one matures as a karate-ka, one must face an increasing responsibility towards the good name of Ashihara, the name of the founder of the style. Thus any branch must register to NIKO to be lawful.

Now and then a fraudulent dojo leader simply ignore to have his club registered. He makes false use of the name and logo of Ashihara without the needed authorisation, and cheats on his followers to put the money from false grading certificates in his own pocket. Not only is such a behaviour very dishonest, but it is also evident to mention that these certificates are not worth the paper, they are printed on.

Therefore, please check out that the dojo, you belong to, is on the list. If not, have matters sorted out or find an other - and legitimate - place to practise.

The list will of course be updated frequently, as new members enlist and upgrading of branch chiefs occur on a regular basics.

Should there however, despite our efforts to have it correct, be a mistake somewhere, we would welcome your information to us of this.

Comments may be sent to Honbu in Japan or directly to:
Jens Bjerrekaer: sabaki@sabaki.dk

Japan Branches
Overseas Branches