Shihan Stephen Xepapas
(6th Dan)

Tora Shotokan Karate Do Founder and Chief Instructor

Dojo Kun

Seek perfection of character!

Be faithful!

Endeavour!

Respect others!

Refrain from violent behaviour!

Tora Shotokan Karate Do Kase Ha

Sensei Steve with Sensei Kase and Sensei Diana

Tora Shotokan Karate-do is based in Hobart, Tasmania and was founded at the beginning of 2005 by Sensei Stephen Xepapas.

In this site you will find all you need to know about Tora Shotokan Karate-do including dojo locations and class times, news of upcoming events, karate etiquette and terminology, biographies of Sensei Steve and his assistant instructors, karate history and photo galleries.

Sensei Steve believes in karate as a worthwhile lifetime pursuit which develops control, self discipline and physical and mental fitness for all people male and female, young and old.

Find out more about Tora Shotokan Karate Do.

Contact Sensei Steve if you would like to join us or if you would like any more information.

Karate Thoughts

"Since karate is a martial art, you must practice with the utmost seriousness from the very beginning."

Gichin Funakoshi

Tora Talk

Scientifically minded?

I can think of a handful of science based PhDs, a number of students studying science at uni, various doctors and college kids in our club who might be curious about the physics of karate strikes...read more

New Class Timetable

The training timetable has changed a little to show when adult and kids beginners can attend classes...see classes

Upcoming Events

Tora Canberra Seminar
2009-08-08 to 2009-08-09
Tora Week
2010-01-16 to 2010-01-22

Recent Photos

Tora Kids 2009...see them
Sensei Pascal 2008...see them
Tora Week 2009...see them

Recent Video

Cameron sensei perfoms empi...see it
Frank Novak sensei performs jitte...see it
Campbell performs heian godan...see it

Recent Forum Posts

Saturday Karate
Training Diary - May 2009
Tora Week
Re: Tora Canberra August Seminar
Montepulciano anyone?

Visiting Hobart and Tora?

Here is somehwhere very convenient to stay if you come down to visit us in Hobart. Just mention Steve sensei at Tora Shotokan and receive a discount...details

Bunkai and Oyo

This is a very interesting topic and one I hope to find out more about.

The Do in Karate Do

In Nichola Fletcher's book "Charlemagne's Tablecloth - A Piquant History of Feasting" she has this to say about do in the context of the Japanese tea ceremony... read more

Osu, Oss, Oos, Os

You hear this during almost every class and outside of class when speaking with other karateka. You probably also say it yourself, but what does it really mean?