The International Kokondo Association (IKA) embodies two traditional Japanese martial arts: Kokondo Karate and Jukido Jujitsu. The IKA Chairman and Chief Instructor is Shihan Paul Arel who began martial arts training in 1950.  The IKA's purpose is to maintain the integrity, authenticity and effectiveness of both arts.

The IKA is an organization with a clear set of guidelines pertaining to etiquette, ranks and responsibilities, as well as a tightly knit and warm family of diverse people. Our members include men, women, youths and children from all backgrounds and all walks of life who appreciate the values of our traditional arts. Discrimination of any type is not allowed in any IKA dojo, and therefore the IKA attracts considerate people who enrich the organization through their participation as students and teachers (sensei). The IKA does not emphasize competition as so many martial arts systems now do.  Instead, our youth and adult members tend to value learning and self-improvement rather than “winning at all costs.” As a result of our emphasis on “doing one’s best,” the environment in all Kokondo dojo globally fosters an ethic of “mutual welfare and benefit.”

IKA members endeavor to follow the Codes of Bushido in their training and in their daily lives. These ancient Samurai codes include: benevolence, courage, honor, justice, loyalty, politeness and veracity.  One example of this practice includes charitable acts of kindness to help others in need. The IKA donates considerable time, energy and money to local, national and global charities. Kokondo Sensei also regularly teach self-defense seminars as a service to increase awareness of safety in their communities.

The world headquarters (Honbu) for the IKA is in CT. Since its beginning in 1970, the IKA has included dojos in 30 US states, and international members in Europe, Asia, North, Central and South America and the Middle East.