Who are we?
KUGB Wales is part of the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB) and are the largest single style association within Wales. We are a traditional karate organisation who practice the Shotokan style of karate.

What is Karate?
Karate is a system of self defence and physical culture originally developed and refined in Okinawa and Japan. The word is formed from the Japanese words Kara (empty) and Te (hand), symbolising that its practitioners - Karateka - are unarmed, but use their hands and feet for blocking and striking. Training is conducted within an environment based on certain Japanese cultural practices.

What is Shotokan?
There are several fundamental styles of Karate which all conform to the above definition, but use slightly different training methods and place varying degrees of emphasis on issues such as the speed, strength and range of techniques - thus you will hear some described as 'fast' styles, others as 'strong' styles. Shotokan is a style of Karate which emphasises a balanced development of all these aspects, taught within a system which instills confidence and self-control. The Shotokan style was originated by an Okinawa teacher of physical education, Gichin Funakoshi, who introduced it to Japan in 1922, where it was developed extensively by the Japanese Master, Masatoshi Nakayama. Shotokan has spread to become the most widely practiced style of Karate throughout the World.