Arizona OKKK Lineage

Hi!

I found the files from a web site Ms. Rush and I created long ago and thought I'd start sharing it on the blog. Here's our lineage:

Master Shigeru Nakamura



Master Nakamura was born in 1894 and lived in the City of Nago. 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.

Master Seikichi Odo



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". Today Master Odo is ranked as Judan (10th Dan) in both Karate and Kobudo, and is considered one of the top weapons practitioners in the world today. 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".

Shihan Larry Isaac



For over 25 years, Shihan Isaac's experience, expertise, and positive teaching/training methods have literally dominated the martial arts tournament circuit, both regionally and nationally. Shihan Isaac is the first and only martial arts instructor from the Carolinas to be a National Triple Crown winner. In fact, he is a six-time national champion who has been rated in all of the major karate circuits.

Nationally, Shihan 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 in the Professional Karate League's (PKL) Hall of Fame. In 1989, after winning the International Association of Martial Artists (IAMA) International Karate Championships in Edison, New Jersey, Shihan Isaac was inducted into the IAMA organization by Master Gary Alexander (10th Dan). Shihan Isaac is an active member of the International Okinawa Kenpo-Kobudo Karate Council under Grandmaster Seikichi Odo (10th Dan).

Renshi Robyn Rush-James

Ms. Rush's story will have to be another post. In the meantime, please enjoy this one and stay tuned for more.

Thanks,
Matt