About Us

Affiliated to the International Traditional Karate Federation

Sensei Masao Kawasoe (8th Dan) was born 13th June 1945 and has two brothers. He came to live in England in 1974.

Sensei began his martial arts training in judo at the age of 15 after being impressed by a Judo demonstration. One of his first instructors was the world famous Sensei Tsuyama from Saga City. Training through his high school and then going to the famous Karate University of Takushoku, he continued to train with Sensei Tsuyama 6 days a week, 3 hours a day for 4 years.

During this time he was spotted by the Japan Karate Association and invited to take full time JKA instructors course under Sensei Nakayama. He successfully completed this over the next 3 years.Upon graduating as an international JKA instructor, Sensei Nakayama said of him: "Through his mastery of karate basics he has come to reach a level few achieve, his technique inspires all who see it to strive for the ideals of Shotokan Karate." High honour indeed from the head of the JKA.

Before moving to Britain,

Sensei also taught

in Taiwan and Madagascar.

His dedication to tradition,

quality and

manners is universally

acknowledged, with few able

to perform the physical

demands he makes of himself.

Colchester Karate Academy is affiliated to the United Kingdom Traditional Karate Federation (UKTKF) who are members of the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF).

Our association chief instructor is Shihan Masao Kawasoe (8th Dan) and our Academy chief instructor at the club is 2nd Dan Landé Fourie.

All our Instructors have governing body recognised coaching qualifications and enhanced CRB (Police) checks as well as extensive Child Protection and First Aid Training. Instructors often have further coaching related qualifications from attending coaching courses approved by Sport England through Sports Coach UK & Sport Essex. Our instructors also carries full Indemnity Insurance.

Colchester Karate Academy members have opportunities to attend courses by some of the worlds top Japanese and other Instructors such as Sensei's Masao Kawasoe, Hiroshi Shirai, Takeshi Naito, Wanatabe, Hirokazu Kanazawa, and many more, as well as compete in local, national and international competitions on a regular basis if they so wish.

Our club is a friendly family based club and we always welcome new members. We also welcome visiting students from other clubs provided they hold a current licence.

Our students start from as young as 3 years and there is no upper age limit.

Click the arrow for more information on our Club’s Chief Instructor.

Long may this continue and, in his own words: "I am lucky to have good karate, but even more I am lucky to have good students to carry it forward. My wish is to leave something worthwhile behind for everyone. My life is then complete."

In addition to training with Sensei Kawasoe at the 2 regular open courses in Windsor twice a year, and another 2 opportunities at the 3 day Spring Camp (Windsor) and 4 day Summer Camp (Edinburgh) each year, our club members also have the unique opportunity to train with Sensei on 3 additional training sessions a year when he visits the Westwood Karate Academy in Southend. Due to our close links with Sensei Alan Parish’s club (Westwood Karate Academy) our club members have an
exclusive invitation
to train with the
Westwood Karate
Academy on these
occasions which is
a great honour to us.