Official Website Of The World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization

  Welcome to the World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization (WYKKO)

 Karate (literal translation empty hand), is one of the most practical, effective, and safest forms of personal defense being taught in the world today. Anyone can learn. Karate is not only for the physically active young person, but senior citizens can also derive maximum benefit from their study of the art. The old can become healthier, the weak can master techniques to overcome the strong, the sluggish become more energetic, and the undisciplined learn to function well with all types of persons in the competitive system. WYKKO offers instruction in self-defense, sparring, physical conditioning and the use of traditional karate weapons and advanced breaking techniques.

WYKKO is recognized, not only for its fine physical training but for instilling self-discipline, self-control, and respect for oneself and others. It must be remembered that the main objective of WYKKO is self-defense, while learning counter techniques and protection against attack, students are continually reminded that use of these techniques are permitted only as a last resort following other means of avoiding conflict. A major contribution to the Art is the proven fact that many who are potential bullies or trouble makers when they begin training, develop self-confidence, and no longer feel the need to “prove” themselves through anti-social behavior.

The World Yoshukai system is considered a “Hard Style” of karate. Not only are hard style techniques taught, but an important part of the training is conditioning of the body to perform under the most adverse conditions. Yoshukai students are noted for their perseverance, loyalty, dedication and strong hearts. Karate is an art, a sport, a means of self-defense, and for many, a way of life.

                                                               Co-Directorship of the WYKKO

                                                       Hiroaki Toyama (8th Degree Black Belt)

Born in Fukuoka, Japan, Kaicho Toyama began studying the martial arts (Kendo and Judo), at the age of thirteen. He began his study of karate in 1967, and in 1971 joined the Yoshukai system under the tutelage of Grand Master Katsuoh Yamamoto at Honbu Dojo in Kitakyushu City. Training five days a week with no air conditioning or heating in the dojo, Mr. Toyama soon became hardened in his fighting, open hand kata, weapons and breaking skills. In 1975, he was offered the opportunity to travel to the U. S. to work with and assist the late Master Hiroyuki Koda at his dojo in Birmingham, Alabama. However, shortly after arriving, he was assigned to the Town of Brewton, in South AL. to assist with instructing classes there. Mr. Toyama was involved in many competitions during the 1970’s and 1980’s, being ranked in the Top 10 by Black Belt Magazine. He was also named National Champion in the U. S. circa 1989, and Instructor of the Year in 1992 and 2000. Toyama challenged himself many times in karate demonstration, by breaking baseball bats, concrete, and boards via head, fists, shins, and feet. During these years, Mr. Toyama taught many fine students, some of which became interested in kickboxing competition in the 1980’s. Two of these students went on to win World Kickboxing Championship titles. Mr. Toyama continued his instruction under Master Koda until Koda’s passing in 1997 after a brave battle with cancer. Master Koda was greatly admired, and missed by all instructors and students. In the year 2000, Soke gave permission to Toyama and Culbreth to form the WYKKO, and gave his trust to them to carry on his organization. The two made visits to events in Japan periodically thereafter, and on a visit in September 2006, Soke awarded Mr. Toyama his 8th degree Black Belt certificate. In June 2012, Soke gave him the title Kaicho, awarding Toyama his own Gold Belt, which symbolizes the top level of training and experience in Yoshukai. Now, Mr. Toyama and Mr. Culbreth, as well as all dedicated members of the WYKKO are committed to keeping Soke Yamamoto’s legacy alive and strong, passing it on to the next generation. Kaicho Toyama continues to hold classes in Brewton, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida, while assisting with setting up and attending all WYKKO related tournaments and functions.

                                                              Mike Culbreth (8th Degree Black Belt)

Mr. Mike Culbreth began training in the Yoshukai Organization in 1974, in Brewton, Alabama near his home town of Dothan, under the leadership of the late Master Hiroyuki Koda. The following year, Mr. Culbreth and Mr. Toyama met and the two have steadily grown toward the current phase in their lives. Over the years, World Yoshukai Karate has become a way of life for Mr. Culbreth, as he has been a nationally-ranked competitor in kata, weapons, and both point and full-contact fighting. In 1982 and 1984, Mr. Culbreth placed second in the All-Japan Knock-Down Karate Championships. Soon thereafter Mr. Culbreth traveled to Japan with the Yoshukai Karate Team, and the group took first place in the Team Knock-Down fighting competition. In 1986, he participated in a Karate Expo in Hawaii, winning first place in the heavy weight knock-down fighting competition. Mr. Culbreth has challenged himself many times in both heavy breaking and speed breaking of baseball bats, slabs of ice, concrete/stones, and multiple boards. He has competed not only in the U. S. and Japan, but in the Countries of Peru, Taiwan, and others to help spread knowledge in the Yoshukai system. He has provided self-defense and rape prevention seminars for such organizations as the Elder Hostel Program, Department of Welfare, various church groups, and numerous other local and national organizations. Mr. Culbreth has also helped train police departments, state troopers and various other law enforcement agencies in self-defense techniques. In 2013, Mr. Culbreth received his 8th degree black belt certificate, gold belt, and the title Kaicho from Soke Yamamoto. Since 1979, Mr. Culbreth has hosted the annual Southern Region Open Karate Tournament in Dothan, Alabama. He continues to teach World Yoshukai Karate full-time at his private studio, local schools, and elsewhere, and has been teaching with the City of Dothan for 45 years.

                          YOSHUKAI MEANS “STRIVE FOR   EXCELLENCE”

 BENEFITS

 ·        FUN FOR ALL AGES

·        CONFIDENCE

·        DISCIPLINE  

·        EXCELLENT PHYSICAL WORKOUT

·        MASTER THE ART OF KARATE

                                                                            Brief History of Yoshukai Karate

As previously indicated, Yoshukai is a powerful form of martial art that includes weapons training, sparring, semi-knockdown and knockdown fighting. The grandmaster and founder of Yoshukai Karate, the late Katsuo Yamamoto (Soke) of Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka, Japan (1938-2017), became interested in karate at the age of 12 when he began working out with a friend and learning basic skills of the Art. At age 15, he began serious training in the Chito-Ryu style of karate under Master Gochohu Chitose. In 1963, he opened the first Yoshukai School in Kitakyushu City. His students rapidly grew in number and as they reached instructor proficiency, began opening schools throughout the world. Soke’s fighting skills and karate exhibitions are legendary, including the breaking of 500 pounds of ice with an elbow strike during the 50th anniversary celebration of his Martial Arts studies.  In 2000, Soke decided to reorganize the United States branch of Yoshukai (headquartered in Dothan, Alabama), under the Co-Directorship of Kaicho Hiroaki Toyama and Kaicho Mike Culbreth.  At that time, Soke revised the name Yoshukai to World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization, and recognized the WYKKO as the only sanctioned Yoshukai Karate Organization. Sadly Soke passed away on February 12th, 2017following a long and valiant battle with cancer. Prior to his passing, Soke transferred leadership of the WYKKO from Japan to the USA, under the Co-Directorship of Kaicho’s Hiroaki Toyama and Mike Culbreth (Note: the Japanese title Kaicho in English means President). Detailed information regarding Soke, the Co-Directors, and the history of Yoshukai and can be found on the World Yoshukai website at www.WYKKO.com. Our e-mail address is WorldYoshukai@WYKKO.com

Winter Camp 2025!

First on the left Mike Mangham has been in Yoshukai Karate for nearly 40 years and will keep doing it till he can't. It keeps him healthy and is am constantly trying to improve and make the organization better. Mr. Mangham was promoted to 7th Degree Black Belt at the 2025 Winter Workout in Pensacola Beach, FL.

Pictured second on the left Debi Mangham has been with Yoshukai Karate for 30 years.  She started under Mr. Koda and continued with Mr. Toyama and Mr. Culbreth with WYKKO in 2000.  She started at 38 yrs old with her youngest son. She received her Shodan at 40 yrs old.  Yoshukai Karate has kept her active and healthy.   She enjoys seeing their student’s progress and achieve their goals, not only in Yoshukai but their future.  She was promoted to 7th Degree Black Belt at the 2025 Winter Workout in Pensacola Beach, Fl.

Pictured third on the left Alan Laros began karate training while a student at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL circa 1970 –1972 and was promoted to the rank of Shodan, by Grand Master Yamamoto during a visit to Jacksonville in Dec of 1972. Mr. Laros moved to Savannah, GA where he started his career. During his time in Savannah, Mr. Laros established classes at the YMCA. In 1974, Mr. Laros helped sponsor an open tournament at the Civic Center in Savannah, which was attended by Grand Master Yamamoto. Mr. Laros attained the rank of Nidan during this period and continued to teach at the Savannah YMCA until he moved to Atlanta, GA in 1977.

In 2000, Mr. Laros moved to the Atlanta area, where he became active in the World Yoshukai Kobudo Organization WYKKO, under the Co-Directorship of Mr. Mike Culbreth and Mr. Hiroaki Toyama. Attaining the rank of Shihan during Winter Camp 2009, he was promoted to 7th Degree Black Belt at Winter Camp 2025 in Pensacola Beach, Fl.

Pictured 4th on the left Mike Lilley has been with Yoshukai Karate under Grand Master Yamamoto for over 50 years. He started in 1975.When Master Yamamoto created the World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization under the direction of Kaicho Toyama and Kaicho Culbreth Mr. Lilley was one of the first members and has been a steward of the WYKKO since its inception in the year 2000. His excellent karate and personal loyalty to the organization bring us the governing body of World Yoshukai Karate to promote Mike Lilley to the highest rank of our organization, 8th degree black belt at the 2025 Winter workout in Pensacola, Fl. Grand Master Yamamoto and his World Yoshukai organization have only promoted 4 people to this rank and now Mike Lilley will be number 5.

Master Toyama

Master Culbreth

Master Matsumori

Master Blanck

Master Lilley