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Ryukyukan International Karate Federation, also known as Ryukyukan Shorinryu Karatedo Kobudo Federation, was founded in 1992 by Koei Nohara. Koei Nohara was born (b. 1948) and raised in Urasoe, Okinawa, Japan. Mr. Nohara was introduced to Okinawan Shorinryu (Matsubayashi) Karate by his father, Kaoru Nohara, a direct student of Chotoku Kyan. Koei Nohara later trained under Shugoro Nakazato, 10th degree (judan) black belt, and head of the Shorinryu Shorinkan Karate organization. Koei Nohara promoted to 7th dan (nanadan) under Hanshi Nakazato and the Shorinkan organization. Koei Nohara actively competed in no pads, full contact karate tournaments in Okinawa called jissen taikai (real battle tournaments. In 1992, Koei Nohara was elected president of the All Ryukyus Full Contact Karate Association in Okinawa. The same year, Koei Nohara opened his first All Ryukyus Full Contact Karate Tournament in Urasoe, Okinawa, Japan. With cooperation and support from Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato, Koei Nohara opened his own karate dojo and organization under the name of Shorinryu Ryukyukan with his dojo and students training in Urasoe, Okinawa. Under his father, Mamoru Nohara, Koei Nohara promoted to 8th degree black belt (hachidan). Koei Nohara opened his first branch dojo outside of Okinawa in 1996 in Dixon, California, USA, naming Jim Ernest and his wife Kathy Ernest as the first Ryukyukan karate dojo owners and instructors outside of Okinawa. Jim Ernest was named Ryukyukan international Vice President the same year, and Kathy Ernest was added to the Ryukyukan Board of Directors. Since 1996, Ryukyukan International Karate Federation has gained member dojos in London, England (under Craig Finch), Belgium, India, Sri Lanka, Tokyo, Japan, Puerto Rico, Argentina, and Chile. In 2011, Koei Nohara was recognized as Hanshi, 9th dan (Kyukan) by his 100 year old father Kaoru Nohara, and a board of his piers in Okinawa. Ryukyukan International Karate Federation tournaments are yearly events in Okinawa, California and London.