Dennis Branchaud I began karate study in 1978 when I was a U.S. Marine on the island of Okinawa, Japan. My first teacher was Eizo Shimabuku. I later switched to the dojo of Seikichi Odo. After leaving Okinawa I was reviewed many times as Master Odo frequently traveled to America to teach his students. He visited the Kodokai in 2001 and I last practiced with him on Okinawa in 2002. He passed away six weeks later.
My Karate and Kobu-jutsu rank is Hachidan, 8th degree black belt.
I now practice Palace Hand. I find it to be more healthful and more practical for self-defense. I was fortunate to be a student of the late Taira Sensei and I continue as a student of Takamiyagi Sensei.
The Okinawan culture has given me a lifestyle of health, peace, happiness, and physical ability- this is what wish for all my students.
Choosing a martial arts school is the same as choosing your teacher. Martial arts are an oral tradition requiring a long-term relationship with a master teacher. Many 'teachers', however, have skipped this step. Many learned all they know at the same local strip-mall school they are teaching at today. Sometimes a single posed photo, taken at a Saturday afternoon seminar, is all they can offer as documentation of their actual training experience. How can they possibly teach you what they, themselves, have never learned?
Anyone accepted as a long-term student of a Master teacher will have photos, documents and keepsakes from their teacher. They will have shared extensive experiences, even outside the Dojo (because martial arts are not just punching and kicking) and they will be proud of their martial arts heritage. And remember their heritage (or lack of one) will be your heritage.
When teachers fail to present evidence of their experience you should wonder why. The more you know about a teachers background, the better they should look. Many teachers know, however, that less you know about them, the better they look.
Here is some documentation of the experience that I bring to you. If you would like to see more of my experiences please take the time to view our photos page.
Testing for Rank, Maehara Dojo, Okinawa 1978
Demonstrating Karate, Athi Plains, Kenya 1984
With Takamiyagi Sensei Okinawa, Dec. 2008
Takamiyagi Sensei at Kodokai 2005
Takamiyagi sensei, Kodokai 2010
Odo Sensei's Dojo, Okinawa 1979
Odo Sensei's Dojo, Okinawa 2004
Odo sensei at Kodokai, 2003
With Odo Sensei 1997
With Mrs. Toma & Master Toma, Okinawa 2002
With Takamiyagi Sensei, Okinawa 2006
Swordwork with Takamiyagi Sensei, August 2009
With Taira Sensei, Okinawa 2006
With Odo Sensei 1984
With Toma Seiki Sensei 2007
With Odo Sensei, Okinawa 2002
With Sensei Odo 1983
Odo Sensei in my home.
Sensei Odo's Dojo, Okinawa 1979
Camp Lejeune, Sensei Odo 1981
Morning Practice with Sensei Odo 1983
Rank Promotion 1999, Epps Dojo
Rank Promotion 1984
Taira Sensei at Kodokai, May 2009
With Taira Sensei, Okinawa, January 2009
Takamiyagi Sensei at Kodokai 2005
With Sensei Odo 1985
To learn more about these teachers visit this page.
The only martial arts school in Rhode Island with a teacher who was trained in Japan.
(401) 762-2201 175 Eddie Dowling Hwy. (Rt. 146A, Park Square) North Smithfield, RI 02895
