Karate

Karate is a martial art which originated in Okinawa, Japan. At Omine Dojo, we teach Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu Karate (松林少林流), a style which emphasizes natural movement, and uses a mix of punches, blocks, kicks, and open-handed strikes. Classes consist of physical conditioning, basic techniques, kata (forms), sparring drills, self-defense applications, and more. 

Matsubayashi Ryu Karate serves as the foundation for what we teach at Omine Dojo. As students advance, they are also introduced to principles of Kishaba Juku (喜舎場塾), a focus of study within Matubayashi Ryu that teaches students the nuances of body mechanics, alignment, and internal structure. 

Kobudo

Kobudo (古武道) refers to the traditional weapons used in Okinawan martial arts. Kobudo is taught to intermediate-to-advanced students, both as a way to augment their karate, and as a primary practice in itself. 

Weapons training teaches students complex coordination and footwork, and our school emphasizes basic principles such as balance, inertia, and distance management, which can be applied across all weapon handling. Understanding these fundamentals is the core of our school’s kobudo instruction, helping students achieve proper weapon control and fluid movement of the weapon and practitioner together. 

Within our Matayoshi Kobudo syllabus (又吉古武道), we teach bo (staff), sai, tonfa, nunchaku, kama (sickle), eku (oar), and nunte (hooked spear).

 

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