Kenshi-kai Goju-Ryu Karate-jutsu Kobu-jutsu Association

Kenshi-kai Headmaster Hokama Tetsuhiro Hanshi

Hokama Tesuhiro 10th Dan Hanshi, President of the Okinawa Goju-Ryu Kenshi-kai Karate-do Kobudo Association and founder of the first Karate Kobudo museum in the World.  

Although not as well known in the United States compared to other Okinawan Goju-Ryu teachers, Hanshi Hokama is one of the most knowledgeable Goju-Ryu Karate masters.  He has a deep understanding of the "Old Ways" of Karate.

Born in Taiwan in 1944 of Okinawan parents.  Hanshi Hokama began Karate as a child in 1952.  His grandfather Seiken Tokuyama taught him the fundamentals of Shuri-te Karate.  In 1961 his formal training began at the Naha Commercial High School Karate club. That same year he began training with the legendary Seiko Higa (1898 - 1966) a student of Kanryo Higaonna (1853 - 1915) and Chojun Miyagi (1888 - 1953).  It was at Higa's Dojo where he met Shinpo Matayoshi (1922 - 1997 Kobudo teacher) and began learning Kobudo, and Kingai-Ryu (a martial art that his father, Shinko Matayoshi 1888 - 1947 learned in Manchuria).  Upon the death of Seiko Higa in 1966 Hanshi Hokama continues his training with one of Higa's top student Seiko Fukuchi (1919 - 1975) who was Seiko Higa's assistant instructor.  It was both of these great masters that taught Hokama the Kakushite (hidden hand) referring to the secret techniques in Kata.  A young Tetsuhiro Hokama was not convinced with the bunkai (Kata breakdown) he was first being taught, he kept asking questions and even doubting the Kata applications. They saw the young Hokama eagerness to learn that they began to teach him the "Old Ways".  Higa eventually gave a copy of the Bubishi, an ancient martial arts text and told him to study it deeply.

His Goju-Ryu karate is of a quality that can amaze even the most experienced karate practitioners. His speed and power is inspiring and his knowledge of vital points is vast. He is a researcher of the history of the indigenous Okinawa art of self-preservation known today as Karate and Kobudo.  Hanshi Tetsuhiro Hokama is truly a master of the "Old Ways".

In a typical training session at his Dojo you will see a very complete system of Goju-Ryu Karate being taught. Tuidi-jutsu (grab hand art), Kyusho-jutsu (vital point's art) and Kobudo are a part of the daily regimen. 

The Kenshi-kai organization has perhap the oldest Goju-Ryu kata and the most complete curriculum in existence today.

Hokama Sensei has appeared in the Learning Channel documentary "Top Ten Martial Arts".  He has been featured in many foreign magazines - proof of a very good international reputation.