Our Vision

The HDKI is an international community built on respect, fairness and excellence. We draw strength from our combined traditions to build a vibrant, sustainable and innovative generation of future karate-ka.

Tradition
we endeavour to hold on to certain aspects of traditional karate that add value and depth to our art and enhance our connection to the past.
Innovation
we endeavour to explore and investigate karate principles and organisational structure, using modern concepts to enhance all aspects of our art and community.
Respect
we endeavour to create a group which allows meritocracy to be the driving force of structural power. Respect is earnt and freely given by the membership. The group will act as a vehicle for the fulfilment of individuals’ potential, whatever that may be.
Collaboration
we endeavour to create a community of like-minded karate-ka who empathise with each other and work together towards a common goal. Individuals will strive to reach a consensus on issues and be part of the decision-making process.

International Council
Each affiliated national group will nominate or elect one person to represent the national group’s interests and opinions to the HDKI. Social Media will be used to allow frequent and transparent communication as well as specific meetings as and when the need arises. With all decisions, a consensus must be reached. When this is impossible, the Chief Technical Director will make a decision.
National Groups will be encouraged to use a similar model as outlined above whilst using the HDKI vision and core values. There will be an acceptance that countries may have unique requirements and needs that will produce variations in structure. The HDKI will always rely on dispersed leadership, allowing those closest to the situation to make local, regional and national decisions. However, as with the International Council, when a consensus cannot be reach, the Chief Technical Director will make a decision.

Chief Technical Director
Whilst the Chief Technical Director does not have veto power regarding group decisions, they do reserve the right to make a unilateral decision when there is no consensus within the International Council. This position will be held until retirement and a replacement will be decided by at least a two-thirds majority of the International Council. As founder of the HDKI, Scott Langley will hold the position of Chief Technical Director.

Technical Director
Whilst it is quite normal for groups to have chief instructors, national affiliates will be represented by a Technical Director. This may or may not be the same person as the chief instructor. The Technical Director’s role within the HDKI is to convey guidance to their membership whilst liaising with the wider HDKI community through the International Council. In accordance with the HDKI core values, national affiliates are encouraged to create an organisational structure that follows the principle of collaboration and dispersed leadership.

Kyu & Dan Examinations
All Kyu examinations are the sole responsibility of the national group. Whilst each country may have unique national requirements to fulfil, the HDKI strongly recommend the use of the official HDKI grading syllabus, so seamless transition to the HDKI Dan examinations can be facilitated. Groups are free to regulate Kyu examinations as they see fit, however, a process of examiner qualification is recommended that fits in with the overall HDKI Examiner Qualification process.
All Dan examinations are regulated and processed by the HDKI Headquarters. Any instructor who is fourth Dan or above may qualify as a HDKI Dan Examiner. It is expected that all Dan examinations take place on special, pre-assigned Dan Exam seminars, ensuring the graduation process is befitting to the occasion. An exam panel is encouraged whereby a number of senior instructors are invited to give feedback on candidates. These seniors may or may not be Dan Examiners as the officially qualified examiner has the final say.


Examiner Status

D Rank This allows individuals to grade up to 1st kyu and is governed by the national body.

C Rank Suitable candidates (at least 4th Dan) must present a research paper on aspects of the Shodan Syllabus. Successful candidates will be allowed to grade up to 1st Dan.

B Rank Suitable candidates (at least 5th Dan) must present four research papers on topics determined by the Chief Technical Director. Successful candidates will be allowed to grade up to 2nd Dan.

A Rank Suitable candidate (at least 6th Dan) must spend an extended period (at least one month) at the HDKI Headquarters participating in Instructors’ Training. Research papers must also be written. Successful candidates will be allowed to grade up to 3rd Dan.

A+ Rank Certain individuals who have shown a deep understanding of and commitment to the HDKI will be awarded A+ Rank which will allow them to grade beyond 3rd Dan.

HDKI Fees
The HDKI will use a system of banding in according of the core values to respect and facilitate the HDKI communities throughout the world. Following the World Bank’s figures of GDP per person, four bands will be used to allow national affiliates and individual members to pay proportionally similar amounts. Countries and Bands (subject to periodic change).
Hombu Dojo Ltd is a limited company whose accountants are publicly available.

Payment and registration of Dan Examinations
If a candidate is successful, the official examiner must register the grade within one month of the exam. Registration for all Dan grades is €100. Once this money has been transferred to the Headquarters, certificates will be issues.
If the candidate is unsuccessful, 50% of the fee will be returned to the candidate. It is then the responsibility of the examiner to give a detailed review of the exam and provide a strategy for the candidate to be successful on their next attempt.
Payment bands refers to the country in which the candidate is resident.

Events
The HDKI will work towards inaugurating International Championships and International Summer Camps, as well as facilitating National Technical Seminars and trips to Japan and other centres of excellence for karate. As the group grows, the community will endeavour to make these events as inclusive as possible for the entire membership. All HDKI membership will have free access to the Headquarters, Dublin. Each year Kangeiko (Cold Training) will take place during the last week of January and Shidoin Keiko (Instructors Training) will take place during the middle week of August. These two week-long gasshuku will be open to all seniors of the HDKI where they can stay and train for free. Beyond these events, HDKI members are free to invite and organise seminars with any instructor regardless of rank or association. Furthermore, the HDKI community will strive to collaborate in the organising and coordination of visiting instructors. Where possible, costs of hosting visiting instructors will be shared, facilitating the maximum activity with the minimum of financial risk.

Membership
Any group wishing to join the HDKI should contact the HDKI Headquarters directly or consult a HDKI representative. They should provide a brief resume of their senior instructors and at the same time address any queries they may have. They should inform the HDKI how they wish the community to support them and investigate how they can develop within the community. Once approved by the International Council, national affiliates will be given a separate page dedicated to them on www.hdki.org and any support they require to set up or promote their group. They will also be able to avail of high quality HDKI License books, certificates and other HDKI resources. All these are available directly to the national affiliate through the HDKI website. All new members will have a probationary period of one year were both the international community and the new members can adjust and develop to the organisation’s growth.
If, after a year, the affiliation is not mutually beneficial, the Chief Technical Director can terminate membership. However, once affiliates have passed the probationary period, all disagreements must be rectified privately by the International Council. Affiliated members can only be expelled with a two-third majority of the International Council.

Individual membership is possible, but only through an existing HDKI affiliated dojo.

HDKI Structure
The structure, guidelines and rules of the HDKI will be reviewed at least every two years. All changes must be approved by the Chief Technical Director.
Sustainability
The HDKI will use national affiliation and Dan registration fees funds to finance internships at the HDKI Headquarters. When possible, candidates will be offered a trainee instructor position at the HDKI Headquarters where they can deepen their understanding of karate, teaching strategies and organisational skills. A liveable per diem will be provided to facilitate the development of suitable candidates.

For further Information, please contact:



he***@hd**.org











Hombu Dojo Karate
Rear of Cullenswood Park
Ranelagh
Dublin 6
Ireland

+353-87-969-3206