Statement of Purpose

The purpose of Coslet’s Japanese Karate is to provide its members with a means of personal self-development and growth through the study and practice of the art of Karate-do.

About Karate Training

While there have been countless films made depicting martial arts, and reams of material produced to describe it, little has been made of the essence of what the karate practitioner actually gains from karate training, To the layman, karate is a catch all phrase for fighting, when in actuality, fighting has limited association with how the karate practitioner regards his/her art. The dictates of the true way of karate training require inner balance, compassion, and clarity in all situations. While physical prowess is developed and expanded, so are mental focus, character, and personal fortitude. Karate-do means that we are diligent in our quest for optimum performance, inner balance, and positive attitude whether in karate practice, school work, families, or the community at large. Therefore the karate practitioner is expected to demonstrate his/her spiritual, mental, and physical strength in the most honorable and productive ways possible, and in every arena possible. Furthermore, she/he is expected to be the advocate honorable principles whenever the opportunity presents itself. In other words, karate is much more than self defense; it is a way of life requiring a conscientious, honorable approach in every detail of our lives.

General Information

Coslet’s Japanese Karate is open to the public. There is a fee associated for participation in regularly scheduled classes as well as additional fees required for competition, promotion, or special events.  If a member chooses to participate in one of these events he/she will be responsible for the fees.  Coslet’s Japanese Karate meets Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at 702 Cedar Ridge Drive. 

Instructors

The primary instructor of Coslet’s Japanese Karate is Sensei Mitch Coslet. Sensei Coslet has studied and taught traditional karate for over thirty years.  He holds the rank of Godan (fifth degree black belt) in Shito-Ryu karate, one of the largest and most renowned schools of martial arts in the world.  Sensei Coslet has personally trained with Soke Shogo Kuniba, the former head of the Motobu-ha Shito-Ryu, Soke Teruo Hayashi, the founder of Hayashi-ha Shito-Ryu, and Shihan Julius Thiry, the current president of the USA National Karate-do Association. Sensei Coslet’s first instructor was his father, Shihan Don Coslet, a former vice president to the USANKF.  Sensei Coslet has also served as a referee at the national level, and served as the head coach for the US Jr. karate team in 1994.  Sempai Jeff and Barbara Wallace assist Sensei Coslet with class instruction.

Shito-Ryu Grading Standards

Each grade (belt level) requires an average of four months to complete, with three years minimum to advance to the Shodan (black belt) level.  Once the Dan level has been achieved the required kata for Shodan is Sepai, with subsequent kata being chosen by the Sensei for each individual student.

Traditional Karate-do

Coslet’s Japanese Karate teaches traditional Japanese Karate-do.  Traditional means that the training places an emphasis on the proper etiquette and mental conditioning as well as the perfection of physical technique.  Karate-do is more than just the execution of kicks and punches.  It is designed to build the spirit and mind as well as the body.  Our karate program is different from most commercial karate schools.  We practice the original katas of traditional karate-do, not “forms” that were made up to win trophies at “open” karate tournaments.  Kumite, or free sparring, is practiced with a minimum of padding, with the emphasis placed on proper execution of technique, timing focus, and control.  Our karate is not street fighting and is not intended as “combat training”.  Our members only compete in properly sanctioned tournaments with trained and licensed referees.  Traditional karate-do has evolved from the martial arts of the samurai warriors of Japan and Chinese martial arts.  Elements of Bushido, the warrior code of the Japanese Samurai, are still found today in traditional Karate-do training.

Rank System

Coslet’s Japanese Karate has an eight kyu ranking system as listed below:

8th kyu:  White belt

7th kyu:  Red belt

6th kyu:  Blue belt

5th kyu:  Green belt

4th kyu:  Purple belt

3rd kyu   Brown belt

2nd kyu:  Brown belt

1st kyu:   Brown belt

Shodan-ho and above: Black belt