Master Tokumura Kensho, from Okinawa,          at  the Okinawa Budo Kai

We believe in discipline but not the military type discipline as taught in many dojo. This type of dojo atmosphere is not a good learning environment for anyone. Often, kids are scared off from training by the egos of Instructors who believe in this harsh, military type of discipline. In Okinawa, theTeacher/Student relationship is more relaxed where a mutual respect is developed. This is also the teaching philosophy at the Okinawa Budo Kai.

We DO NOT believe in "Junior Black Belts". With the rank of Black Belt in Okinawa Karate & Kobudo comes enormous responsibility. At the Okinawa Budo Kai a student cannot earn Black Belt until the age of 17. To accommodate kids who reach the equivalent skill level, we issue a "Senpai" rank. Senpai in Japanese means "senior" and is one of the important relationships in an Okinawan dojo along with the Kohai (junior). With the Senpai rank the student receives a black belt with a white stripe running through the middle and graduates up the same rank structure as a full Black Belt, Senpai Sho (1st Degree), Senpai Ni (2nd Degree), Senpai San (3rd Degree), etc. When a student reaches the age of 17, the Chief Instructors, Assistant Instructors and THE PARENTS decide if the young adult student has exhibited the courtesy & responsibility to become a full Black Belt.

Come visit the Okinawa Budo Kai and start your child on the true path of traditional Okinawa Karate & Kobudo. We believe you will find our
standards to be the highest.

At the Okinawa Budo Kai our Kid's Classes are structured around Traditional  Okinawa Karate & Kobudo. Our kids learn the same basics and kata that our adults learn. We do not teach "day care" karate or spend the entire hour on games. Your child will learn true Isshinryu Karate Do and, at advanced levels, be introduced to Kobudo (Okinawa Ancient Weapons). We teach the very important "Do" or "Way" in our
Karate & Kobudo classes. Okinawa Karate & Kobudo should be a healthful way of life where it's positive principles are practiced in and out of the dojo. Without "Do", Karate & Kobudo is just fighting.

The classes are separated into Teen Kid's and Younger Kids. A student does not
pay for rank at the Okinawa Budo Kai, they EARN it. We follow the rank standards of Okinawa. Our standards are the highest around. We
and our students are proud of that.

Jack Gaskill receives Senpai Ni (2nd Degree Junior Black Belt) May 14, 2011

SENPAI RANKS

Jack Gaskill - Senpai Ni

Harrison Chen - Senpai Ni

Jimmy Michels - Senpai Ni

Ryan McManus - Senpai Sho