Early reference to the term "Okinawa Kenpo"
dates back to the early 1900's. During this period the name was used as a
generic name for all Okinawan Karate. It was not until the early 1950's that
the use of the name shifted to describe a particular karate system taught by
Master SHIGERU NAKAMURA.
dates back to the early 1900's. During this period the name was used as a
generic name for all Okinawan Karate. It was not until the early 1950's that
the use of the name shifted to describe a particular karate system taught by
Master SHIGERU NAKAMURA.
Master Shigeru Nakamura (1893-1969)
Master Nakamura was the founder of Okinawa Kenpo.
His first introduction to karate came at the Icchu Middle
School, in Shuri where Karate had just been introduced to the educational
system. His instructors included Kanryo Higashionna, Kentsu Yabu & Chomo
Hanashiro. Yastune Itosu also made periodic visits to the school. Upon
graduation from the middle school, Nakamura returned to Nago, where he
continued his training under Shinkichi Kunioshi, the successor to the legendary
Naha "Bushi" Sakiyama. In 1953 Nakamura established his own dojo in Nago City,
calling his form of the art "Okinawa Kenpo".
In 1955, the "Okinawa Kenpo Renmei" was formed by Masters Shigeru Nakamura
and Zenryo Shimabuku, with Master Nakamura as President. Master Nakamura
was known for his development of the "Bogu Gear" for contact sparring.
His first introduction to karate came at the Icchu Middle
School, in Shuri where Karate had just been introduced to the educational
system. His instructors included Kanryo Higashionna, Kentsu Yabu & Chomo
Hanashiro. Yastune Itosu also made periodic visits to the school. Upon
graduation from the middle school, Nakamura returned to Nago, where he
continued his training under Shinkichi Kunioshi, the successor to the legendary
Naha "Bushi" Sakiyama. In 1953 Nakamura established his own dojo in Nago City,
calling his form of the art "Okinawa Kenpo".
In 1955, the "Okinawa Kenpo Renmei" was formed by Masters Shigeru Nakamura
and Zenryo Shimabuku, with Master Nakamura as President. Master Nakamura
was known for his development of the "Bogu Gear" for contact sparring.
Hanshi Seikichi Odo, (1926-2002)
After Master Nakamura's death in 1969, the Okinawa Kenpo Renmei,
appointed SEIKICHI ODO as Master of Okinawa Kenpo Karate.
As Master of Okinawa Kenpo, Seikichi Odo was also installed as President of the
All Okinawa Kenpo Karate-do League. Shortly afterwards, Master Odo officially
added the weapons to the Okinawa Kenpo system, with the result being what we now
know as "Okinawa Kenpo Karate-Kobudo".
In the mid-1970's Master Odo created the "Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo Association",
to be renamed in 1983 to the "Okinawa Kenpo Karate-Kobudo Federation". Master Odo
was ranked as Judan (10th Dan) in both Karate & Kobudo, and was considered one of
the top weapons practitioners in the world. In 1998, Master Odo renamed the
Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo Federation to be the"Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujutsu
Federation", and changed the name of the arts taught under his direct
auspices to "Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujutsu". Master Odo served as a member of
the IKKF Executive Board from its inception in 1991 to March, 1999. Master Odo passed
away on March 24, 2002 in Okinawa, Japan.
appointed SEIKICHI ODO as Master of Okinawa Kenpo Karate.
As Master of Okinawa Kenpo, Seikichi Odo was also installed as President of the
All Okinawa Kenpo Karate-do League. Shortly afterwards, Master Odo officially
added the weapons to the Okinawa Kenpo system, with the result being what we now
know as "Okinawa Kenpo Karate-Kobudo".
In the mid-1970's Master Odo created the "Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo Association",
to be renamed in 1983 to the "Okinawa Kenpo Karate-Kobudo Federation". Master Odo
was ranked as Judan (10th Dan) in both Karate & Kobudo, and was considered one of
the top weapons practitioners in the world. In 1998, Master Odo renamed the
Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo Federation to be the"Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujutsu
Federation", and changed the name of the arts taught under his direct
auspices to "Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujutsu". Master Odo served as a member of
the IKKF Executive Board from its inception in 1991 to March, 1999. Master Odo passed
away on March 24, 2002 in Okinawa, Japan.
Hanshi Larry Isaac
Hanshi Larry Isaac, 10th Degree Blackbelt (Judan), has been training in Martial Arts
for well over half of his lifetime. Hanshi was a student of Master Odo and trained
in Okinawa Japan while he was stationed there in the Marine Corps. This is a brief history on
Hanshi Isaac's extensive Martial Arts career that has been time tested.
For almost five decades, Hanshi Isaac's expertise, experience, and
positive teaching and training methods have literally dominated the Martial Arts
tournament circuit, both regionally and nationally. Hanshi Isaac is the first and
only Martial Artist/Instructor from the Carolina's to be National Triple Crown winner.
In fact, he is six-time National Champion who has been rated in all the major Karate
circuits.
Nationally, Hanshi Isaac has been ranked No.1 in Kata (forms), ranked No.1 in weapons,
and ranked No.2 in fighting in the Senior Divisions. In 1990 and 1991 he was inducted into
the Professional Karate League's (PKL) Hall of Fame. In 1989, after winning the
National Karate Championships in Edison, N.J., Hanshi Isaac was inducted into
the IAMA organization by Master Gary Alexander (10th degree black belt). He has Dojo's located in North Carolina.
for well over half of his lifetime. Hanshi was a student of Master Odo and trained
in Okinawa Japan while he was stationed there in the Marine Corps. This is a brief history on
Hanshi Isaac's extensive Martial Arts career that has been time tested.
For almost five decades, Hanshi Isaac's expertise, experience, and
positive teaching and training methods have literally dominated the Martial Arts
tournament circuit, both regionally and nationally. Hanshi Isaac is the first and
only Martial Artist/Instructor from the Carolina's to be National Triple Crown winner.
In fact, he is six-time National Champion who has been rated in all the major Karate
circuits.
Nationally, Hanshi Isaac has been ranked No.1 in Kata (forms), ranked No.1 in weapons,
and ranked No.2 in fighting in the Senior Divisions. In 1990 and 1991 he was inducted into
the Professional Karate League's (PKL) Hall of Fame. In 1989, after winning the
National Karate Championships in Edison, N.J., Hanshi Isaac was inducted into
the IAMA organization by Master Gary Alexander (10th degree black belt). He has Dojo's located in North Carolina.