The English Shotokan Alliance  (ESA) was formed in September 2007, by the founders; Sensei Slater Williams 6th Dan and Sensei Paul Barron 5th Dan.Both have in excess of 30 years experience. From 1990 they were members of the World Karate-Do Shotokan Academy headed by the renowned late Taiji Kase and Hiroshi Shirai .

Membership of the Alliance provides a clear and well-defined structure for all grades.
All members, Dependant upon grade, have access to Coaching Qualifications (Governing Body and NVQ), free Black and Brown Belt Courses, and National Courses under National and International Instructors.

The ESA is an Association committed to the furtherance of Shotokan Karate as originally taught by the World’s recognised Masters. Membership of the Alliance is on application by groups, clubs and individuals. Application forms and further information can be obtained from our General Secretary.

 AIMS & OBJECTIVES
The aim of the ESA is to facilitate an Alliance of clubs and groups dedicated to continuing the Traditional Shotokan practise as disseminated around the World by graduates of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) Instructors Course. Senior members of the ESA (3rd Dan and above) will also have access to instruction from the late Kase sensei’s Academy system

 Shihan Taiji Kase

Taiji Kase was one of the last of the direct students of O’Sensei Gichin Funakoshi and his son Master Yoshitaka Funakoshi. Many years prior to his death in November 2004, Kase Sensei had formed an instructor’s academy selected from talented and experienced karate-ka from around the world. This individual members group, in later years, became known as the Shotokan Ryu Kase Ha Instructor Academy and its members are dedicated to the continued development of this unique line of Shotokan Karate
Sensei Williams is a  member of this elite academy and now leads the ESA with their technical skills and knowledge learned directly from Shihan Kase.

Yasuyoshi Saito Sensei

Today’s technical direction is taken from the ESA Technical Adviser and Senior Grade Examiner Yasuyoshi Saito, Chief Instructor to Japan Karate-Do International

He started karate training at the age of sixteen and studied under the famous JKA sensei, Hiroshi Shoji. He left Japan at the age of twenty three and travelled to America, South America, the Carribean and Europe, teaching karate in all those countries before finally settling in southern Florida. JKA Miami has now been established for thirty years. Up until ten years ago he was part of the ISKF-USA group but then moved on to set up his own organisation, Japan Karate-Do International. JKI has affiliated dojo’s in North America, South America and the Carribean