The Kodokai Dojo offers you the opportunity to learn authentic martial arts rarely seen in the west.
These are the people who taught us.
Takamiyagi Tetsuo
Takamiyagi sensei studied Motobu Udundi under Uehara Seikichi, Toma Seiki, and Taira Ryosyu. He also is an 8th degree black belt in Karate and Kobudo under Shimabuku Eiso and also studied Goju-ryu karate. He is tremendously qualified.
He is a superb teacher in so many ways. His technique is strong and his knowledge is deep. He has an open mind and is always eager to learn new ways- a rare trait at any age. He is a dedicated teacher, squeezing in as much as we can take during our times together. While walking, driving or eating, there is always a lesson to share. Even in the crowded Naha airport, as we waited to check our luggage, the lessons continued. Swinging a sledgehammer handle and shoving hastily written notes into our hands, he continued to teach us sword techniques despite the crowd!
Taira Ryosyu 1930- 2009
Taira sensei received private lessons twice each day from Uehara Seikichi , the twelfth headmaster of Motobu Udundi. This continued for thirty years resulting in Taira sensei receiving "menkyo kaiden", recognition of full transmission of the art of Motobu Udundi.
Taira sensei was a senior student of Uechi sensei, of Uechi-ryu karate, before switching to Motobu Udundi. He was very talented in tuidi, the joint locking and throwing aspects of Motobu Udundi and was also very thorough, specific and knowledgeable with sword instruction.
He was our primary Motobu Udundi instructor and we miss him a great deal. His generous teaching, however, has given us an entirely new way of thinking and has brought our self-defense capabilities light years forward.
Odo Seikichi 1926-2002
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 Nakamura Shigeru , Odo sensei enjoyed access to some of the finest training available.
Master Odo was known around the world for his old style karate and his impressive weapons skills.
(401) 762-2201
Kodokai Dojo 175 Eddie Dowling Hwy. (Rt. 146A, Park Square) North Smithfield, RI 02895
