SHUSEKI SHIHAN - KATSUMI FUTO

Shuseki Shihan Katsumi Futo is the founder and Chief Instructor of WSK Sekishinkan Goju-Ryu Karate. Established in 2006, Sekishinkan became the first dojo of World Shoseikan Karate in Canada, also known as Canada Shoseikan Karate.
 
Shihan Futo, originally named Henry Chan, socially adopted the name “Katsumi Futo” in his Karate career after 35 years of practice to honour his Japanese Sensei, Katsutoshi Ishihara. Inspired by and partially derived from his Sensei’s name, Katsutoshi, "Katsumi" (克己) in Kanji means "to conquer oneself" or "to be tough on oneself," reflecting his unwavering dedication to self-discipline and personal growth in Karate.
 
Shihan Futo began his martial arts journey at the age of 9, learning Hung Kuen (a traditional style of Kung Fu) from his uncle. In 1987, he started training in Karate with Seibukan alongside his high school friends. In 1991, Shihan Futo moved to Canada to pursue his studies. He trained with Uchiage Kai under Sensei Takeshi Uchiage for about two years in Richmond. After relocating to Vancouver, he joined Vancouver Seiwakai and trained under Shihan Alan Chan, earning his Seiwakai Shodan (1st Dan) from the esteemed Shihan Shuji Tasaki.

 
In 2004, Shihan Futo passed the Shoseikan promotion test and earned his Shodan Black Belt from Kancho Katsutoshi Ishihara after an intensive three-week training at World Shoseikan Karate-do Honbu Dojo in Chiba, Japan. The following year, he officially became a direct student of Ishihara and established the first Shoseikan dojo in Vancouver, BC. In the following years, Shihan Futo frequently visited the Honbu Dojo in Japan for training and eventually achieved his Sandan (3rd Dan). He was appointed as the Chief Instructor of the World Shoseikan Karate Canada Division and WSK Overseas Executive in 2007.
 
Over the last two decades, Shihan Futo has dedicated himself to spreading

Goju-Ryu and Shoseikan Karate across Canada and beyond. He established multiple dojos, organized seminars, tournaments, and other events, invited international instructors to share their knowledge with Canadian students, and brought Canadian students to Japan, Hong Kong and China for training. Through his leadership, WSK Sekishinkan has grown into a vibrant community where children, youth, and adults train together, upholding traditional values of respect, discipline, and perseverance. In 2023, he was promoted to Nanadan (7th Dan) and awarded the prestigious title of Kyoshi, becoming the youngest Nanadan in the history of World Shoseikan Karate. His ongoing commitment continues to inspire the next generation of Karateka, ensuring that the spirit of Shoseikan Karate remains strong and enduring in Canada and throughout the world.