Seikichi Odo was both a karate master and a weapons master. He was one of the first to fully integrate karate with a complete weapons system. His first martial art was judo which he began as a child. He then studied Tomari-te under Koho Kuba and continued to invest the rest of his life researching the old ways of Okinawan martial arts. As a senior student of the legendary Master Shigeru Nakamura, Odo enjoyed access to some of the finest training available.
Master Odo was known around the world for his old karate style and his amazing weapons skills. His methods are an extraordinarily practical and straightforward self-defense system.
Master Odo's Main Teachers
Seiki Toma 1922-2007
Master Toma is the source of our Kyan kata's as well as our introduction to Motobu Udundi (Palace Hand). He was generous to the Kodokai in countess ways.
Master Toma practiced karate under Choto Kyan and Shijun Tawata, students of Sokon Matsumura, bodyguard to the last king of Okinawa. He was a student of Zenryo Shimabuku. He learned Udundi (Palace Hand) under Seikichi Uehara.
Master Toma taught Motobu Udundi (Palace Hand), weapons and Shorin-ryu Karate. His fondness for Udundi was revealed by his eagerness to twist your arms when you visited. He was a close friend and teacher of Master Odo.
Shigeru Nakamura 1892-1969
Nakamura trained under his father, uncle and grandfather as well as Choki and Choyu Motobu, Ankoh Itosu, Chomo Hanashiro and Kentsu Yabu- students of Matsumura. He was an important figure in the development of karate on Okinawa in the 1900's.
Nakamura felt it was imperative for karate to retain it's effectiveness as a self-defense system and innovated a rough method of sparring using protective armor similar to that used in the art of Kendo, Japanese sword fighting. His karate (our karate) is a blend of Naha-Te, Tomari- Te and Shuri Te.
He passed away in 1969 leaving Seikichi Odo (my teacher) as his senior student. When I was a teenager on Okinawa, my sempai (senior black belts) who contributed immensely to my development, were trained by Master Nakamura.
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