Founder Shihan Dale Coker established Japan Karate Institute (JKI) in 1995. Shihan Dale Coker has been teaching Wadō-Ryū karate since 1973. Wadō-Ryū is a traditional Japanese martial art style, which means the way to peace and harmony. It was official established, in 1934, by Hironori Ohtsuka, who blended Shotokan karate with his knowledge of Shindō Yōshin-Ryū jujutsu to form Wadō-Ryū karate.