Okinawa Karate Podcast

This is episode one of a three-episode series with Michael Hagen, Sensei. Michel began his martial arts training in Taekwon Do in his home state of Alaska. In his university days he was able to travel to Japan and he of course kept training. This was his introduction to Shito-Ryu. Many years later he hasn’t looked back. 

Please enjoy Part 1 with Michael Hagen, Sensei and as always thank you very much for tuning in to the Okinawa Karate Podcast. 

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This is the final episode of my interview with Sensei Pat McGale. In Part 1 we learned about his time in Okinawa Kenpo growing up here on Okinawa. In Part 2 we learned about his days of WuShu in the San Francisco area. In Part 3 we learned about his return to the Okinawa arts when he was introduced to the Omine Karate Dojo. In this final episode we learn more about his teaching and training methods at the Omine Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Dojo and the study of Kishaba Juku with 10th Dan Sensei Katsuhiko Shinzato.

This 4 part series is dedicated to the memory of Sensei Susan Budge.

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OKP brings you Part 3 with Pat McGale Sensei.

In Part 1 we learned about his Okinawa Kenpo years.

In Part 2 we learned about his WuShu years.

In Part 3 we learn about his introduction to Susan Budge Sensei at the Omine Karate Dojo in San Bruno, CA.

https://www.facebook.com/ominekarate/

http://ominekarate.com/ominekarate/

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This is Part 2 with Pat McGale Sensei. Previously in Part 1 we learned about his training in Okinawa Kenpo beginning at age 5 until he left the island of Okinawa at age 23.

In Part 2 we learn about getting kicked out of a TKD Studio, for a side kick no less, and his 10+ years in WuShu.

Webpage of Pat Sensei's WuShu Coach, Richard Branden.

Sadly Richard passed away in 2013 due to Pancreatic Cancer.

Our thoughts and prayers to his family, his students and everyone he touched positively through the martial arts.

https://www.studiokickspaloalto.com/richard-branden

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Pat McGale started training at the age of five with Master Odo Seikichi of Okinawa Kenpo. By age seven he had already cut himself badly with kama, by age 13 he was competing in the black belt division in karate and kobudo tournaments and bringing home hardware.

Five decades later he is still training and teaching Okinawa Karate.

In Episode 1 with Pat Sensei we learn about his time in Okinawa Kenpo from age 5 to 23.

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This is my first long distance video, as you can tell when it cuts off mid-stream. But with crazy times comes crazy videos. Get out there and train on tour own. Coronavirus sucks!

This interview is with my good friend Richard Canton of Canton Martial Arts.

https://www.cantonmartialarts.org.uk/

Richard is a kick ass fighter, and a well rounded martial artist that doesn't keep his passion or emotions hidden. I recommend you meet and train with him in person for the full effect.

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A very special thank you to Ron Nix Sensei, Miss Akemi Nix and Brandon Nix for taking time for this interview.

This interview was filmed at the Nix Family Dojo in January 2020. 

https://www.seidokankarate.org

Please standby for that footage from OkiLife. After recording this interview, I learned they were able to salvage most of the footage from our October 2019 visit.

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This #OKP interview is with the amazingly talented Jonathan Seavey of the Shobukan Goju-Ryu Dojo.

Jonathan got his start in Tang So Doo (in my hometown of Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania) and after moving around a bit he found his belonging in a traditional Goju-Ryu Dojo.

Take a listen to his journey and please follow his Instagram and Dojo Homepage for updated information. Jonathan is on fire

https://shobukanva.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jseavey67/

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What’s this? The Okinawa Karate Podcast visits a Tang Soo Do Dojang? That’s right. 

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, here it is: 

Here’s the full interview I conducted with Master Kevin Robinson, Tang Soo Do, while visiting my hometown over the summer. 

Master Robinson is one of the coolest, down to earth, honest and authentic people I have ever met let alone interviewed for the #OKP. 

My high school friend, who also happens to be a Master Level practitioner in Tang Soo Do, Drew Hobbs, invited me to visit Robinson’s Martial Arts for a training session and interview. I was blown away by their level of training, the skill set of Master Robinson and his students, the fact that they didn’t use air conditioning, but most of by the man that is Kevin Robinson. 

We trained for an hour, talked for over two hours, and then compared ideas and concepts of kata. They finally had to kick me out. 

No, I am not a Tang Soo Do convert but I sure do look forward to the day I can train with Master Robinson and his students again. 

http://www.robinsonsmai.com

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Hello and thank you again for listening to the Okinawa Karate Podcast. It's been more than three months since I've recorded an audio only podcast and that's because I've been focusing more on video content recently. Check out the Okinawa Karate Podcast YouTube page and OkiLife for more.

Well what seems like old news now, Shuri Castle was mostly destroyed in a fire on October 31. This podcast you are about to listen to is recorded on November 7, one week after the fire.

As I mentioned in the podcast, the best gofundme account I have seen so far is the one put on by the Hawaii United Okinawa Association. I, and the Okinawa Karate Podcast, are in no way affiliated with the Hawaii United Okinawa Association but this gofundme is one that I personally trust and unless I see something better I will likely donate here.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/shuri-castle-fire-restoration?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

As for now I will wait and see if the Okinawa Karate Promotion Division and/or the Okinawa Karate Information Center release another option for fundraising.

Thank you for listening,

Josh Simmers

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Hey there OKP listeners, As always, thank you for tuning it. It is June 30, 2019 and in this episode I talk about some upcoming events in July that are taking place at the Okinawa Karate Kaikan (some great seminars and two very important anniversaries) and I will share my thoughts on training outside the dojo with the help of a very cool blog post from a man named Adam Cave.

Lastly I ask you the listeners for some help creating a Top 10 Tips List for visitors to Okinawa.

Send those tips to me here: [email protected] or a PM on Facebook or a DM on twitter.

Links for this show:

Adam Cave's blog Solo Keiko can be found here: https://solokeiko.com/introduction/

The link for the amazing Okinawa Karate Information Center can be found here: http://okic.okinawa/en/

Thank you once again for your support of the Okinawa Karate Podcast.

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*** Note ***

Use external speakers for better audio quality. It was a very rainy Okinawa day and there is terrible background noise from the rain (windows were open and fans running in the dojo) .

In this interview I had the pleasure to visit the Ryukyu Kobudo Shimbukan Hombu Dojo on Tomigusuku Okinawa for a tour and interview with Dell Hamby Sensei. Dell Sensei lives on Okinawa and is a very knowledgeable, funny, humble, and all-around great person. I truly enjoyed our time together.

For more information about Ryukyu Kobudo Shimbukan please visit:

http://ryukyu-kobudo.com/

In this video we also learn about the Shimbukan approved line of Dreametal Kobudo weapons. For more details please go to:

http://www.weaponskobudo.com/

During the interview we discussed another video of Akamine, Hiroshi Kaicho available on YouTube that was filmed at a seminar in Russia. That video is here:

https://youtu.be/oKW1z77E508

As always, thank you for listening to the Okinawa Karate Podcast.

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In Episode 17 of the Okinawa Karate Podcast I bring you Part 2 of the Isshin-Ryu Chronicles with Sensei Harvey Kennedy. Kennedy Sensei has over 50 years training in the martial arts, most of which is in Isshin-Ryu. He had quite a time in the tournament days and has some interesting stories to share. An absolutely pure gentlemen, Kennedy Sensei was kind enough to share some of his stories with me for this interview conducted on April 18, 2019.

This interview was conducted at the Miyanchi Studio & Coffee located in Okinawa City. The Miyanchi is a top notch cafe offering the finest coffee, tea and desserts. It just so happens to be owned by a famous musician too. Take a listen to the podcast to find out.

http://miyanchi.jp

For more information about Kennedy Sensei please contact him directly via email or by following the contacts link on his website:

[email protected]

https://www.kennedyskarateusa.com

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In this episode I discuss a variety of topics. First up is a shoutout to a great dojo called The Karate Edge. The Karate Edge is located in Edgewood Washington which sits just on the east side of Tacoma and about 1 1/2 hours south of Seattle. Check them out at the link below.

I also discuss two visitors from the USA that found my podcast and reached out to me for before their visit to Okinawa, my visit to the Myobukan Shorin-Ryu Yomitan Branch, my broke back and some delicious and strong awamori.

As always, thank you for tuning in to the Okinawa Karate Podcast.

https://www.thekarateedge.com

https://www.facebook.com/KarateEdge/

https://okinawakaratepodcast.com

Facebook: @okinawakaratepodcast 

Twitter: @PodcastKarate

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In this episode I talk about Karate getting the shaft for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, breaking news about a photo once thought to be Anko Itosu, and finally I give a shoutout to two guys creating their own Karate podcast I think is worth checking out.

Links for this episode:

• Anko Itosu photograph news:

http://okic.okinawa/en/archives/news/...

http://ryukyu-bugei.com/?p=7741

• Shout out to other podcasters: Karate Without Belts

https://youtu.be/lDmlX9tPSXA

As always, thank you for listening to the Okinawa Karate Podcast coming to you from the Birthplace of Karate, Okinawa Japan.

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Hello again OKP listeners! Thank you for tuning in to Episode 14 of the Okinawa Karate Podcast. For this episode I get to sit down with my friend and Senpai, who happens to be one heck of a karate-ka, Mr. James Pankiewicz. James is the owner of the Dojo Bar, Asato Dojo, and also runs the website www.challengeokinawa.com

Up front I need to apologize on the poor audio quality in this interview. In short, I used the wrong microphone for the environment and the echo along with street noise (we were inside but still very close to a street) is strong at times. Apologies to James and to the listeners. It won’t happen again. My advice, do not listen to this on your computer. Your smart phone or external speakers will sound much better (sounds terrible on my MacBook but much better on external speakers).

Please visit the below links for contact information and more details about what James has been up to here in the Birthplace of Karate and for future events he is planning. As always, thank you for listening. 

Dojo Bar 

http://www.dojobarnaha.com

https://www.facebook.com/DOJObarnaha/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

Asato Dojo   

http://asatodojo.okinawa

https://www.facebook.com/asatodojookinawa/

Challenge Okinawa

http://challengeokinawa.com/en_US/

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EP13 - Andy Sloane - The Isshin-Ryu Chronicles Pt1 

Interview Date: January 12, 2019

Andy Sloane is a 6th Degree Black Belt in Isshin-Ryu Karate. He has almost three decades of martial arts experience and is likely in the top three of most knowledgeable sources for Isshin-Ryu history. In this episode of the Okinawa Karate Podcast Andy Sensei gives us his background and history in the martial arts as well as the foundational history of Isshin-Ryu and the founder Shimabuku, Tatsuo. Please enjoy the show. 

You can reach Andy at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andy.sloane.79

Or at email: [email protected] 

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In this interview conducted on January 6, 2019, at the Asato Dojo in Asato, Naha Okinawa Japan, I had the pleasure to discuss KishimotoDi with Mr. Ulf Karlsson. Ulf Sensei is one heck of a practitioner with a keen eye for technique and kata analyzation based off his decades of research, study, and training.

I was able to attend three seminars taught by Ulf Sensei while he was visiting Okinawa and the only subject matter we covered was Naihanchi applications. Totaling 9 hours, we barely scraped the surface of what this kata has to offer. My eyes were opened to so many more possibilities both in Naihanchi and in other kata I practice as well. I highly encourage you to train with Ulf Sensei if the opportunity presents itself and furthermore to explore and dig further in your own training, lineage, and roots of whatever style(s) you practice. It is not usual that I walk away from training mentally fatigued but that is what happened after training with Ulf Sensei. He requires that you think.

***** Correction ***** in the opening remarks of the video I state that we were training Naihanchi Shodan. This is not correct as there is only Naihanchi in the KishimotoDi system. They may call it Tachimura Naihanchi to distinguish or differentiate this version from other versions.

Tachimura Naihachi information (courtesy of Mr. Andreas Quast): http://ryukyu-bugei.com/?p=5358

YouTube Video of Ulf Karlsson performing Tachimura Naihanchi: https://youtu.be/MTlJZDXdXgY

Asato Dojo: http://asatodojo.okinawa/en/about/

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On January 2, 2019, fresh on the heels of the KNX18 in none other than Okinawa Japan, I had the opportunity to sit down for my second interview with The Karate Nerd, Jesse Enkamp. It was Jesse Sensei's last day on Okinawa before heading back home to Sweden. I cannot thank him enough for taking some time to sit down with me for this interview. I must admit though that my brain was a little fried after just completing a six hour seminar on Naihanchi kata just before the interview (yes, you should study kata so in-depth that your mental state melts as much as your physical state) and I was not as prepared with questions as I hoped. Means there must be a round three in the future.

An enormous thank you to my friend and Senpai, James Pankiewicz, Kaicho of the Asato Dojo in Naha for allowing me the opportunity

to conduct the interview at his dojo.

http://asatodojo.okinawa/en/about/

Please visit and Subscribe to Jesse Enkamp's YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/c/jesseenkamp

KNX18 info can be found here: http://www.karatebyjesse.com/knx18-ok...

And of course I suggest you refer back to the first interview which can be found here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/o...

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This is the 10th Episode of the Okinawa Karate Podcast but the first that I have recorded in video which can be found on YouTube (https://youtu.be/5DyTQwK5tmQ). This is of course the audio only portion. In this episode I interview Ben Eayrs aka The Kilted Karateka. Ben is a super cool dude and a fine karate-ka that is living life to the fullest. He will be around for many years training, teaching, traveling, blogging and much more. Keep him in your sights.

You can find out more about Ben at the following:

https://thekiltedkarateka.com

https://www.facebook.com/TheKiltedKar...

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmy6...

https://twitter.com/KiltedKarateka

https://www.instagram.com/thekiltedka...

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I am pleased to upload this interview with Kyoshi Peter Polander, owner of Polander Academy of Martial Arts and founder of International Okinawan Kempo Federation. I have been following Polander Sensei on social media for several years and could not wait to meet him. As luck would have it he visited Okinawa to teach at a seminar in conjunction with the Seiryukan Kokusai Budo Rengokai as well as semi-private seminars. Of course, as a lifelong learner he was also here to train with and learn from other masters.

I truly hope you enjoy this episode. To find out more about Kyoshi Polander please visit: 

http://polanderkempo.com

https://www.facebook.com/polanderkempo/

Dojo Locations: 

5017 Wilson Lane

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

18860 Woodfield Rd

Gaithersburg, MD 20879

[email protected]

240-305-4040

International Okinawan Kempo Federation

https://www.facebook.com/OkinawanKempo/

Seiryukan Kokusai Budo Rengokai

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Seiryukan-Kokusai-Budo-Rengokai-608284272664800/

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Edited August 25: At Paul's request I will add comment here about two minor mistakes Paul made in the interview.

1) Isao Toma Sensei was a student of Soken Sensei, not Nishihira Sensei.

2) Paul referenced a "chicken beak" strike in Chinto. He was actually referring to the well known strike in Gojushiho but in the conversation he said Chinto.

In this latest podcast interview we get the great opportunity to listen to Paul Sabota talk about the SHORIN-RYU MATSUMURA SEITO KARATE-DO HOZONKAI. The podcast is just over one hour and we cover a wide range of topics about Hohan Soken’s Karate, the teachings of Paul’s sensei, Yoshimatsu Akamine, Paul’s personal history, our opinions of the First Okinawa Karate International Tournament, advice for those visiting Okinawa, dojo etiquette, Okinawa customs & traditions and much, much, more! 

Website for Yoshimatsu Akamine: https://akaminekaratedojo.localinfo.jp/

Website for Paul Sabota https://icmadojo.weebly.com/

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In Episode 7 of the Okinawa Karate Podcast I sit down with the one and only Dr. Hagan Walter. He’s a Sai weilding physicist from Germany and a Gold Medal Winner at the First Okinawa International Tournament. Put on your science caps and listen to this man discuss his karate history, his discovery of the hips (how hard can that be you ask????) and certain revelations he has had over 20 years of karate training. Physics > that subject I almost dropped my senior year in high school because I did not want to think. Glad I completed it because I almost understand what Dr. Walter is talking about. 

If you would like to reach out to Dr. Hagan Walter please do so at: [email protected]

The Dojo Website is: http://www.kobudo-tesshinkan.eu

Hagan’s YouTube Channel can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD9-ute-hS_dDiKdEY8kbBA

Thank you for listening to the Okinawa Karate Podcast. 

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July 28, 2018 unveiling of the monument for Sagugawa Tode.

July 29, 2018 unveiling of the monument for Chibana Chosin.

Check Okinawa Karate Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for pictures.

Also a brief discussion about the Jesse Enkamp Naihanchi Tegumi Flow seminar.

Wrap up with comments about the upcoming Okinawa Karate World Tournament.

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This was super exciting and fun to sit down with The Karate Nerd, Jesse Enkamp. Wow what an honor. He is certainly a Professional Karate Nerd as he describes. I hope you enjoy the podcast. 

As always, thank you very much for listening. Please be sure to like and follow Okinawa Karate Podcast at the following Social Medial Platforms for all updates. 

Website: http://okinawakaratepodcast.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okinawakaratepodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/okinawakaratepodcast/?modal=admin_todo_tour

Jesse’s main website: http://www.karatebyjesse.com

Jesse’s Flexibility Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc6VIgJBhzY

Jesse’s Karate Nerd Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karatenerds/

Chanpuru…because you were dying to know: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanpurū

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This episode is brought to you by Typhoon Prapiroon, The Rain God of Thai, because I recorded it as Okinawa was getting hit with the typhoon on July 1, 2018.

In this episode I will provide an update about the 1st Okinawa Karate International Tournament. 

Go to the official website at https://okinawa-karate.okinawa/en/ and click on the Tournament tab and then click Schedule. 

If you are coming to Okinawa in August please let me know. I’d like to meet you, maybe do an interview and have a discussion over an Orion Beer, Blue Seal Ice Cream, or a bowl of Okinawa Soba. 

As always feel free to send me an email at [email protected]

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This interview was recorded on June 24, 2018, at the Dojo Bar in Naha Okinawa. 

http://www.dojobarnaha.com

The interview followed two days of Long Fist Mantis training conducted by the Sifu Yoshida Naotsugu and his Senior Coach John Eusebio. 

Yoshida Sifu was born in Tomigusuku Okinawa 41 years ago. At age 9 he began training in Goju Ryu under famed Master Seneha Shigetoshi. At age 12, due to his fathers work, he moved to mainland Japan but returned to Okinawa each summer to live with and train under Seneha Sensei. In his high school years he also began training in Long Fist Mantis Kung Fu under Master Gao Dao Sheng. 

The conversation was recorded at he dojo bar it was a little noisy with the World Cup playing in the background and people enjoying their own conversations. Apologies for the parts that are hard to hear but as anyone knows it is these types of settings were we often have the best conversations and sometimes deeper learning than we may actually have while in the dojo. 

This podcast is on the long side being over one hour but it was a free flowing conversation accompanied by free flowing Dojo Bar Awamori and I felt it best to leave it is one piece.

Special thank you to James Pankiewicz, owner of the Dojo Bar, and Kancho of the Asato Dojo for hosting us and thereby becoming the unofficial sponsor of this episode. 

http://www.dojobarnaha.com

http://asatodojo.okinawa/en/about/

Thank you for listening to the Okinawa Karate Podcast. 

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In this episode I will give my review of the Shureido New Wave 3 Gi.

I am curious to hear your feedback, comments, questions, ideas for discussion topics, just about anything Okinawa Karate or Martial Arts Related. Send email to [email protected]

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Welcome to The Okinawa Karate Podcast, the only Karate podcast based directly from the Birthplace of Karate, Okinawa Japan. My name is Josh Simmers and I am very blessed to call the island of Okinawa home.

Many listeners know that Okinawa is a very small island with a very large heart. This is ever true in the circle of Okinawa Karate. My goal with this podcast is to share some of this beauty with you. 

Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy. 

Best Regards,

Josh Simmers

[email protected]

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