Shinote is traditional Shotokai karate-jutsu. A cousin to the style “Shotokan,” Shinote is primarily a Japanese hard style. Shinote was founded in America by Andy Stewart and Charles Gray in the 1980s after learning karate in Okinawa from Master Kawanabe and Master Egami (a main pupil of Gichin Funakoshi). Andy Stewart and Charles Grey were not allowed to use the name “Shotokai” and were given the name “Shinote” (meaning “deadly hands”).

 

Andy Stewart left the organization and Charles Gray was named as the Highest Technical Advisor. Over the years, additional self-defense, fighting, fitness, grappling, weapons, and other influences were added to the core curriculum. The organization has reemerged by several students who studied under Charles Gray.

 

The current Highest Technical Director is William Bauer. The East Coast National Director is Matt Wright, and the West Coast National Director is Miran Reynolds.