Shorinryu Karatedo Kobudo Kensankai

"When I first started attending here, I wasn't aware of just how rare of a gem this place was! It takes a little reading but if you want the real thing, this is it. From the website: "Hanshi Perry started his martial arts training in September 1956 at Parris Island. Since that time has had the opportunity to train under Hanshi Tatsuo Shimabuku in Ishshinryu Karate-Do at the old Agena dojo in Okinawa. He studied with Kyoshi Bill Hayes of Shobayashi Ryu, one of Hanshi Eizo Shimabukuro's senior students. This karate relationship and special friendship has lasted for over 30 years. While again stationed in Okinawa, Doug had the additional honor of interacting with Sensei Kanei Uechi of Uechi-ryu and Sensei Takemyoshi of an Old Okinawan Family System. During the period 1974-75, again in Okinawa, he studied with Kyoshi Jiro Shiroma, a senior student of Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato. Since that time, he has been a student of Hanshi Nakazato. In 1997, Doug received the rank of Hachidan from Hanshi Nakazato and was appointed to represent the Shorinryu Shorinkan Kyokai in North America. Doug presently operates a small dojo in Hendersonville, N.C.." I first came to this dojo in order to bond with my two sons and daughters (ages 9, 10, 12, and 13). I knew enough to look for authentic karate (I was less educated and only thought "Japan"). But looking into the history and lineage of this dojo has been an extensive "rabbit hole" experience as it has allowed me both to see the roots of karate as it was originally in the Ryukyu Kingdom (present day Okinawa), and the possibility of understanding the most current applications of karate available this side of Okinawa. I have had a growing sense of honor and humbling privilege to realize who Hanshi Perry is and what he has accomplished in karate. This is not to mention the incredible teaching of the Sempai and Sensei who regularly attend and assist in teaching here. And to think I found this dojo so clumsily! People travel from all over the country to train here and its in my back yard! A singular find in all the Americas."