The Yoshukan Karate-Do is lead by Kancho Earl Robertson (Founder & Director). Kancho
Robertson has over a half century of study and teaching experience. He has studied in Japan
under Hanshi Masaru Inomoto (Founder of Jikkishin Ryu), O-Sensei Tsuyoshi Chitose and Soke
Yasuhiro Chitose (Grand Masters of Chito Ryu Karate-do), Hanshi Shane Higashi (Chief
Instructor of Canadian Chito Ryu), Sensei Mike Litwinczuk, the original RCMP self-defence
instructor, Sensei Paul Brown (Kodokan Judo), Kaicho Mike Foster (Founder of the Yoshukai
International Karate Association), Hanshi Devorah Dometrich (Ryu Kyu Kobudo Hozoin
Shinkokai) and Sensei Yukio (Fred) Okimura (Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido).
Kancho Robertson holds a Hachi-dan (8th Dan) Black Belt and Hanshi ('Exemplary Teacher')
from the Yoshukan Karate Association. Sensei also holds a 7th Dan and Kyoshi Licence
('Teacher of Teachers') in Jikkishin Ryu from Hanshi Masaru Inomoto and a 6th Dan, Shihan
Licence in Yoshukai International Karate from Hanshi Mike Foster. Sensei also received a 5th
Dan from the National Karate Association under Hanshi Masami Tsuruoka. Sensei Robertson
received his 4th Dan and Shidoin (Senior Instructor) Licence in Chito Ryu Karate under Soke
Tsuyoshi Chitose and Hanshi Shane Higashi. Kancho Robertson also holds ranks in Kodokan Judo
(1st Kyu), Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido (1st Dan) and a 5th Dan in Ryu Kyu Kobudo under Hanshi
Devorah Dometrich of the Ryu Kyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai.
Kancho Robertson was previously 1st Vice President of the Karate Association of Ontario (KO)
and Vice-Chairman of the Karate Ontario Technical Committee. Kancho created the digital
library of Yoshukan waza, authored ADVANCED KUMITE and was host/creator of the national
COMMUNITY SELF DEFENCE television series. He has contributed/written technical manuals for
the Chito Ryu, Yoshukai and Yoshukan Karate associations. In 2019, Kancho Robertson was inducted into the Canadian Karate Association Black Belt Hall of Fame.
Kancho has studied Boxing; Greco-Roman Wrestling; Aikido; Kali and various other systems of
karate over his 50+ years of martial arts study. A former top competitor (Kumite & Kata),
Kancho believes the true goal of martial arts training is the pursuit of character
development.
Yoshukan Crest.
The Yoshukan Crest symbolizes the historical roots of both the Chito-Ryu and Yoshukai systems in
Yoshukan Karate and incorporates both symbols into a new and unique Yoshukan Crest. The
association has further created a two-tier crest (Red for Mudansha and Gold for Yudansha) that
identifies students as members of our association dedicated to the practice of Yoshukan karate.
The Association
The direction for the Yoshukan Karate-Do (YKA) is provided by Kancho Robertson and the
Association.
The Association Board is comprised of all 3rd Dan level instructors. Examinations for 1st
Kyu (Brown Belt level) are conducted by Board members at the annual summer camp (Natsu
Keiko) in Picton, Ontario or by Kancho Robertson when he visits his dojo locations.
The Yoshukan Karate-Do also has sub-committees responsible for setting standards in a
variety of disciplines. These committees are: Administration; Kata/Technique
Standardization; and Kumite/Competition.
Each committee is responsible for working under the direction of the Association Board and
Kancho Robertson and defining standards for instruction and testing for all Yoshukan dojo.
