ABOUT
IIKF History
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The International Isshin-Ryu Karate Federation (IIKF) was founded in 2010 by Sensei Curt Sawyer and Sensei Matt Dorsey, both 9th degree black belts and original students of Grandmaster Joseph Jennings and Grandmaster Angi Uezu.
With the desire to help unify, grow, and educate Isshin Ryu practitioners around the world, Sensei Sawyer and Sensei Dorsey have committed themselves to making the IIKF the foremost karate organization in the world.
Through seminars, clinics, rank promotions, tournaments, instructor training, and martial arts business consulting, the IIKF will support Isshin Ryu karate students and sensei, preserving the traditional teachings, principles, and philosophies of this prominent Okinawan karate style.
Any Isshin-Ryu karate-ka is invited to join the IIKF – membership in this worldwide organization will bring many benefits to both individuals and charter school members.
MEMBERSHIPS
Individual Memberships
AVAILABLE FOR: KARATE STUDENTS,
BLACK BELTS, AND INSTRUCTORS.
Benefits of an IIKF Lifetime Membership:
Membership Certificate
Official IIKF Patch
Official IIKF Passbook
Discounts to all IIKF events such as:
Seminars, Classes, and Tournaments
Please fill out the Individual Membership Application Form and mail or email back to:
International Isshin-Ryu Karate Federation
1512 Spencerport Road
Rochester, NY 14606
Email: info@iikf.org
*Membership Fee Payment can be made by Cash (only in person), Check/Money Order (made out to the IIKF), Credit Card, or PayPal (use email address).
Charter Dojo Memberships
AVAILABLE FOR: DOJO'S WITH 5 OR MORE
IIKF MEMBERS.
Charter Memberships are awarded to schools with outstanding traditional Isshin-Ryu Karate Training as well as high quality teaching and leadership skills.
Benefits of a IIKF Charter Membership:
Membership Certificate to display in the dojo
Exclusive Business Support and Recognition
Eligibility for Students to Participate in IIKF Events
Dojo Business Building Seminars and Resources
Discounts to all IIKF events such as:
Seminars, Classes, and Tournaments
Please fill out the Charter Dojo Membership Application Form and mail or email back to:
International Isshin-Ryu Karate Federation
1512 Spencerport Road
Rochester, NY 14606
Email: info@iikf.org
*Membership Fee Payment can be made by Cash (only in person), Check/Money Order (made out to the IIKF), Credit Card, or PayPal (use email address).
For domestic memberships please add $10.00 for shipping costs
For international memberships please add $20.00 for shipping costs
PROMOTIONS
Anyone requesting a Dan ranking who is not able to have a live review session must submit a video with the applicant performing all katas required for the requested rank.
After reviewing the video, the promotion board will permit the promotion, or request additional training along with detailed corrections or improvements. The applicant can resubmit the rank request at least six months later.
Please fill out the Promotion Application Form and mail or email back to:
International Isshin-Ryu Karate Federation
1512 Spencerport Road
Rochester, NY 14606
Email: info@iikf.org
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Membership Fee Payment can be made by Cash (only in person), Check/Money Order (made out to the IIKF), Credit Card, or PayPal (use email address).
Dan Promotion Guidelines
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Sho-Dan (1st Degree)
8 Empty Hand Katas
1 Bo Kata
1 Sai Kata
Bo-Bo Kumite
Minimum 3 Years of Training
Ni-Dan (2nd Degree)
All Previous Requirements
2 Bo Katas
2 Sai Katas
Minimum 2 Years After Sho-Dan
San-Dan (3rd Degree)
All Previous Requirements
All Bo Katas
All Sai Katas
Hamahiga-No-Tonfa (Optional)
Minimum 2 Years After Ni-Dan
Minimum 16 Years of Age
Yon-Dan (4th Degree)
All Previous Requirements
Minimum 2 Years After San-Dan
Go-Dan (5th Degree)
All Previous Requirements
Minimum 4 Years After Yon-Dan
Roku-Dan (6th Degree)
All Previous Requirements
Minimum 5 Years After Go-Dan
Nana-Dan (7th Degree)
All Previous Requirements
Minimum 7 Years After Roku-Dan
Hachi-Dan (8th Degree)
All Previous Requirements
Minimum 8 Years After Nana-Dan
For domestic promotions please add $10.00 for shipping costs
For international promotions please add $20.00 for shipping costs
EVENTS
ISSHIN-RYU KARATE TRAINING SEMINARS
Thank you for a great training seminar! We look forward to having one this summer. Date TBA
Join your Isshin ryu brothers and sisters for a special training class covering advanced skills of kata and self defense. You'll learn how to get more power into your kata moves, how to move smoother and faster with preci-sion and accuracy. You'll also practice advanced self defense skills against empty hand and weapons attacks.
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$25 for current IIKF members
$50 for others (includes lifetime IIKF membership, patch and certificate)
This seminar is open to karate students green belt and up (ages 12 and up)​
Wear your full karate uniform (any color) and bring your bo and sai.
This seminar is sponsored by the International Isshin Ryu Karate Federation (IIKF)
Seminars are taught by Sensei Curt Sawyer and Sensei Matt Dorsey, co-directors of the IIKF.
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The seminar will be at Samurai Martial Arts
1512 Spencerport Rd
Rochester, NY 14606
2025 WINTER NIAGARA KARATE
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sunday, March 9th, 2025​
RIT Inn and Conference Center
5257 West Henrietta Rd
Rochester, NY 14467
Thank you for another great competition!
Awards for all competitors!
This tournament is open to all karate styles!
There are divisions for kata, weapons kata and sparring for all age groups.
CONTACT
Mailing Address:
International Isshin-Ryu Karate Federation
1512 Spencerport Road
Rochester, NY 14606
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Email:
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Phone:
585-429-6340
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Fax:
585-429-6344