A Profile of the Shukokai Karate Club
The Shukokai Karate Club
What is karate?
In Japan over many centuries, fighting without weapons was a skill handed down from generation to generation, father to child, teacher to student. More recently we have seen the art of Karate - "The Way of the Empty Hand" - develop into a renowned and skilful martial art.
What does karate offer?
Karate is a skilful martial art but at the same time it is intended to be enjoyed by the students and get them fit. Students will learn self control and how to share, work and have trust in others.
Senior Shukokai karate classes
Shukokai "The Way for All" was developed in modern times by the late Master Tani and Master Kimura.
It is the most powerful form of karate yet devised by man in which senior students learn to utilise the mechanics of the body to their best effect with devistating force.
What does a Shukokai Junior class involve?
Beginners will be introduced to the basics of karate including stances, punching, kicking and blocking. There will be general fitness training, self defence and pad work which will lead on to sparring techniques, and sparring itself. Students also learn different forms or sequences of moves known as kata and their application to real life situations. In addition students will learn about the etiquette of karate including politeness and respect. The training ensurers that students, particularly the youngest ones, enjoy themselves whilst getting fit and learning to defend themselves. Only very light touch to the body is allowed in training and sparring.
Classes for students from the age from 4 years to 15 years are tailored for individual age groups.
As Shukokai Karate is a true martial art and for Health and Saftey reasons no children are allowed in the adult classes.
Gradings
Gradings are where students progress from one coloured belt to another ( white & red, white & yellow, red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown and black), Gradings will take place approximately every 3 months depending upon a student’s progress, attitude, application and attendance.
Beginners will be able to progress and successfully pass their first grading after about 3 months.
Who are the Instructors?
The Shukokai Karate Club, is run by black belts Senseis (Instructors) Jim (Dusty) Miller 8th Dan and his wife Sensei Carol Miller 6th Dan and Sensie Steven Miller 3rd Dan.
All instructors are Scottish National Governing Body (SKGB) registered, vetted by Disclosure Scotland and licensed to teach children.
Both Jim and Carol trained with Master Tani (founder of Tani-Ha Shitoryu and Shukokai karate) Master Kimura World Chief Instructor for Shukokai. Sensei Nambu and Sensei Suzuki both European Chief instructors for Shukokai.
What is the cost?
There is a small membership fee to cover setting up of a health data base for the students. The club works on a pay as you go basis and there are discounts for families. Up to date details of fees can be obtained from Sensei Jim, Carol or Steven.
Please note there are no Direct Debits or contracts regarding weekly fees
An annual licence with the Scottish Karate Association whom the club is affiliated must be obtained. (Application forms obtained from your club instructor or on this web site.)
Do I need special kit to start with?
No. To start with you can train in tracksuit bottoms / shorts and a loose T-shirt when you know you are committed after about two/ four weeks you can purchase a Gi (Karate uniform).
About Sensei James Miller, Carol Miller & Steven Miller
Jim Miller started his training in 1966 training from a book in Chinese Kempo for 1 year.
In November 1967. Jim joined the first established karate association in Scotland (The Scottish Karate Association ) where he trained for 4 years and was graded Shodan (1st Dan) in 1971. Carol Started training in 1973 and was graded to Shodan (1st Dan) in 1976 both were graded by Master Kimura who was Jim & Carols most influential instructor in karate.
From 1969 to 1982 Jim and Carol were trained by the world’s leading Japanese karate instructors in
Shukokai and Shitoryu Karate.
Professor C Tani founder of Tani Ha Shitoryu and Shukokai Karate
Master Shigeru Kimura 10th Dan Shukokai World Chief Instructor (appointed by Mr Tani)
Mr Nanbu Shukokai European Chief instructor (appointed by Mr Tani)
Mr S Suzuki Shukokai European Chief Instructor (appointed by Mr Tani)
Level of Achievement and Grades
Sensei James Miller
1966 Trained in Chinese Kempo
1967 Started training in karate
1971 Achieved 1st Dan
1973 Member of the 1st Scottish National Karate team to win the European Karate Championships
1973 Kata champion
1973 to 1978 Scottish Internationalist.
1976 Captain of Scottish team champions
1976 Qualified as European International Referee
1977 Started the Shukokai Karate Club
1980Qualified as European International Judge
1980 to 1990 Responsible for organising and qualifying national referees and judges.
1996 Scottish Karate Board Secretary
1980 to 2010 Executive Committee member of the Scottish Karate Association.
1990 to 2010 Chairman of Scottish Karate Association Dan Grading Panel.
1990 to 2010 Scottish Karate Association Treasurer & Licence officer.
2004 Qualified as Scottish Karate Governing Body Coaching level 3
2004 Scottish Karate Governing Body Director / Company Secretary/ Executive Administrator
2004 Scottish Karate Governing Body Lead Child Protection Officer and Coach Development Officer
2008 Introduced to H.R.H. Duke of Edinburgh
2008 Invited by the Scottish Government to take part in the procession for the opening of the Scottish Parliament.
2008 Royal invitation to meet Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at Holyrood Palace.
2009 Vice President of the British Karate Federation
Sensei Carol Miller
1973 Started training in Karate
1976 Graded 1st Dan by Master Kimura
1977 Started the Shukokai Karate Club
1977 Started teaching karate at all Shukokai Karate Clubs
1986 Achieved 2nd Dan
1989 Achieved 3rd Dan
1993 Achieved 4th Dan
2002 Elected Secretary of the Scottish Karate Association
2002 Elected Scottish Karate Association Grading Panel Member.
2003 Achieved 5th Dan
2004 Scottish Criminal Records Office checked by National Governing Body ( cleared for teaching
children)
2004 Qualified as Scottish Karate Governing Body Coaching level 3
2009 Shukokai Karate Club registered Child Protection Officer
2011 Awarded 6th Dan
Sensei Steven Miller
1987 Started training in the junior section in karate Achieveing 1st Kyu Brown belt
1994 2nd Place at the Scottish Karate Association Championships.
1994 2nd Place team event at the Scottish Karate Association Championships.
2004 Graded to senior 1st Dan
2004 Qualified as Scottish Karate Governing Body Coach Level 2
2004 Disclosure Scotland Checked ( cleared for teaching children in karate)
2004 Started his first karate club at Pearce Institute Govan and Partick Burgh Hall Glasgow
2006 Graded to 2nd Dan
2006 Authorised to carrying out kyu grading at his clubs by the Scottish Karate Association
2007 Started new club at Spittal Rutherglen
2009 Shukokai Karate Club registered Child Protection Officer
2010 Started new club in Pollokshields and Castlemilk Glasgow.
2010 Graded to 3rd Dan April 2010
2010 Strarted new club in Blantyre.
Since opening their dojos Jim, Carol & Steven Miller have earned the grade of:
Sensei James Miller Sensei Carol Miller Sensei Steven Miller
8th Dan (2008) 6th Dan (2011) 3rd Dan (2010)
7th Dan (2000) 5th Dan (2003) 2nd Dan (2006)
6th Dan (1993) 4th Dan (1993) 1st Dan (2004)
5th Dan (1987) 3rd Dan (1989) 1987 started trained in junior section
4th Dan (1982) 2nd Dan (1986)
3rd Dan (1978) 1st Dan (1976)
2nd Dan (1975) Started training 1973
1st Dan (1971)
Started training 1967