International Shotokan-ryu Karate-do Shihanlkai
The International Shotokan-ryu Karate-do Shihankai is a non profit, apolitical academy of senior Shotokan karate-ka of Go (5th)dan and above who will, through its technical committee, ratify/grade those individuals, who are accepted into fellowship. It will also offer the shogo (titles)of Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi, where appropriate.
Entry into the Shihankai will be only through the recommendation of an existing fellow. The Shihankai, is therefore not an association, it does not licence nor insure, but will allow and act as a forum of IDeaS and training practices for the future enhancement of Shotokan-ryu as a martial art in the western world. However, its main purpose is to act as a Shotokan certificating agency which will add international credence to the national association grades fellows currently hold or may hold in the future. Certificates will therefore be issued by the Shihankai to fellows. A recommendation/ invitation however, does not automatically mean acceptance into the ISKS. By ensuring acceptance to the technical committee of the Shihankai is only by invite/recommendation from existing senior karateka in fellowship of the organisation, it is hoped that the standards of the group will be maintained and quality assured by the group itself.