Charter Memberships Now Available!
We hope you are as excited as we are about the
rebirth of the Jikishin-Kai International. We are
anxious to quickly develop an active and committed core
membership as quickly as possible to facilitate the full
development of our member services and allow us to hold
a gasshuku (training camp) and possibly other
events, like regional seminars, in our first year of
operations.
As an incentive to be among the first to join the reborn JKI, we will be classifying all dōjō and yūdansha ("Black Belts") who submit their membership applications before 31 March 2023 as Charter Members in recognition of the strength and timeliness of their commitment. Among the benefits Charter Members will receive is a 20% discount on their 2023 membership dues, discounts on many products (like uniform patches) and services (like instructor training) we plan to offer, and priority status at JKI events.
The Membership application forms posted in the right-hand column of this page reflect the discounted Dōjō Membership fee of $60.00 and the Yūdansha Membership fee of $20.00 through 31 March 2023, after which the annual fees will increase to the standard rate of $75.00 for dōjō and $25.00 for yūdansha .
This Isn't Kids' Stuff! (But It's Great for Kids!)
No dōjō that is an authorised member of the Jikishin-Kai International is a "McDojo" (see below or our FAQ). Our member dōjō adhere to the highest standards of instruction and character development. Due to the lethal nature of the arts we teach and our philosophy of instruction, training in a JKI member dōjō is a serious undertaking that is not suitable for everyone. A dōjō is not a recreation or childcare facility. Although our instructors work diligently to make training at a JKI dōjō safe and enjoyable, it demands a certain mindset and commitment from all participants. Therefore, a dōjō or individual considering membership in the JKI should be aware that our expectations are that all members ...
| n | ... will devote themselves and/or encourage their participating children to devote themselves to training consistently, for the long term, and as a lifestyle; not merely as a pastime, recreation, or a seasonal activity. |
| n | ... have and/or will encourage their participating children to have an earnest desire and intent to live a life that is guided by the principles and ideals of Bushidō. |
| n | ... will strive to develop and/or encourage their participating children to develop strong bonds of camaradarie, respect, and mutual support with all other members of the dōjō. |
| n | ... will dedicate themselves and/or encourage their participating children to adhere to our Dōjō Kun at all times, both in and out of class. |
| n | And maybe another factor or two here! |
PLEASE NOTE: the expectations
listed above apply primarily to adults and teens. We recognise
that children under the age of 13 will likely begin their
training chiefly as a recreational activity and will
gradually grow into the attitudes and characteristics
expected of
a more serious and mature budōka.
If the qualifications outlined above describe you or the training environment you desire for your child(ren), then we encourage you to stop by our nearest local dōjō to meet the instructor(s) or contact us for further information on classes available in your area. If you have questions about our qualifications and/or the application process, please review our FAQ or discuss it with us in person, by phone, or email. Our application documents are available under the heading "Membership Application Forms" in the right-hand column of this page.
No McDojo Allowed!
The
term "McDojo" arose at least twenty years ago
as a popular (but derisive) term for a school or dōjō
that operates like a fast food restaurant or a diploma mill. Fast food
is typically high volume,
mass production, preprocessed, pre-measured, reheated food full of flavour
additives, but little nutrition,
that is served quickly by unskilled or semi-skilled workers. The equivalent characteristics of a
"McDojo" are large class sizes, mass instruction by
teachers with limited knowledge and experience, "canned" class
format, sessions high in activity but low on instruction and
depth of understanding, with rapid
advancement from belt to belt, and numerous activities that
require additional fees to be paid (i.e., "up-selling").
The opposite of this is the "traditional" dōjō which typically has smaller classes, more individualised instruction by instructors with decades of experience, moderately-paced advancement from belt to belt with stringent promotion requirements, arduous testing for promotion, and class activities that emphasise conditioning, practical use, and appreciation of long-standing traditions over fun, fanaticism, self-promotion, and esteem building.
Here are a few of the reasons to become an Dōjō Member of the Jikishin-Kai International:
| n | To be officially qualified and authorised to teach Shimabukuro-Ha Shitō-Ryū karate-dō, Okinawa kobujutsu, Musō Jikiden Eishin-Ryū iaijutsu, and/or Shindō Musō-Ryū jōjutsu as taught by the late Shimabukuro Masayuki Hanshi. |
| n | To receive access to our exclusive membership services, such as menjō (diplomas), curricula for instruction, instructor certification, and training seminars. |
| n | To have the support and camaradarie of a group of like-minded dōjō and budōka who are dedicated to continuing the legacy and teachings of Shimabukuro Hanshi and promoting the highest ideals of classical Japanese budō throughout the world. |
| n | The JKI operates on a quasi-democratic volunteer basis for the mutual benefit of our member dōjō , so we are able to keep our costs and fees extremely low. The JKI exists to support its member dōjō ; not the other way around! |
| n | And maybe another reason or two here! |
Whatever your reason, we are
confident you will find your Dōjō Membership well
worth the $75.00 per year membership fee. Click
here to apply now.
Do You Have What It Takes?
Yūdansha Members of the JKI receive two key benefits of membership: (1) registration and official recognition of their dan ("Black Belt") ranking, and (2) access to opportunities for instructor training and certification.
It is the yūdansha who are truly the future of the JKI. It is the yūdansha who will be taking the key leadership roles in the next five to ten years. There are only seven Directors. As the JKI grows, a new crop of leaders will have to assume greater and greater responsibility and eventually earn their way onto the Board of Directors. This is probably the most important reason to become a Yūdansha Member. Do you have what it takes? Not just to earn dan ranking, but to take an increasingly active role in leading and growing the JKI? If so, click here to apply now.
Individual membership in the JKI is not required for yūkyūsha (holders of kyū rank), since our member dōjō provide all the financial support needed to sustain the JKI's basic operations (website, office supplies, record keeping, etc.) and records of kyū ranking are not maintained by the JKI. Only yūdansha ("Black Belts") are eligible for instructor certification or to serve in JKI organisation-wide leadership roles. We want to encourage yūkyūsha to build strong relationships with their sensei and to actively participate and serve in their local dōjō in preparation for broader service when they become yūdansha.
Annual Membership Renewal
Those
who are already either Dōjō or Yūdansha
members and have a current JKI
Membership ID number can quickly renew their
membership when it is nearing expiration by simply
completing the form below. Since your complete
records are already on file with the JKI, all that is
required is the name and Member ID number of the person
or dōjō renewing their membership and
payment of the corresponding annual dues ($75.00 for a dōjō;
$25.00 for a
yūdansha).
If you are a dōjō owner or operator and you are renewing both your personal and dōjō memberships, you will need to submit two separate payments: one for yourself and one for your dōjō, each with its corresponding Member ID number.
If you encounter difficulties with the online form submission, or you cannot locate your Member ID number, please contact Member Services and we will take quick action to assist you.
NOTE: If your address or the address of the renewing dōjō has changed since your last membership application or renewal, please click here to complete our Contact Information Change form to update our records. Thank you!
Your Membership Materials
Membership applications and renewals are normally processed within 72 hours (3 business days) of receipt. Shortly after your application for a Dōjō Membership and/or Individual Membership is reviewed and accepted you will receive an email notifying you of your acceptance, including your Member ID. A membership certificate will also be mailed to you, and should reach you a few days after the email notification. If you have not received either the email or mailed materials within ten (10) days of submitting an application or renewal, please contact Member Services and we will take quick action to resolve any problem that has occurred.
