KDS is the Karate-Do Shotokai which loosely translates as Master Gichin Funakoshi's Group of The Way of the Empty Hand (Shoto was a pen name for O'Sensei as teacher, poet, and father of modern karate). Mitsusuke Harada Sensei, who trained personally with O'Sensei, and was awarded the highest rank of 5th Dan by him, continues to further this art as head of the KDS based in Wales, United Kingdom.

Adrian Hutber, who received his 1st Dan in England in 1989, came to America and organized American Shotokai Karate (ASK) in 1993 at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah with the help of Jeremy Crook and Matthew Spackman. At that time, ASK was the only group in North America practicing under Sensei's direction. In 1999, Harada Sensei officially adopted ASK as American KDS.

A  501(c)(7) non-profit membership group, AKDS exists to promite individual improvement and community safety, operating clubs across the nation and hosting annual training courses under KDS direction. Find a club, and come join us for one of the most unique martial arts experiences available in the USA!