We teach the Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujutsu system of Okinawa Kenpo as taught by Grand Master Seikichi Odo. This is a karate system with a history back to China. Kata (forms) are the medium of instruction. Okinawa karate was developed for civil defense not combat and originates from a peace loving people. We carry this tradition forward.

What and the way we teach is real. Sensei Hershman has the credentials and the active link to Okinawa Japan to back up his instruction. Our system of Ryukyu Hon Kenpo is very rich in its history going from Sensei Hershman's teacher, Seikichi Odo, back though a very impressive list of historical martial artist all the way back to China.
Sensei Hershman also has the experience to back up his education. As a junior black belt he assisted Odo Daisensei in teaching at his dojo in Okinawa from 1984 to 1988. In 1988 he returned to his home in Virginia and opened a karate class. He has been teaching sense. Add this teaching experience to teaching Law Enforcement and the first hand experience of using his martial skill for his own survival in 18 years of police work and you truly have an experienced teacher.
Not only are the subjects taught real, but they are taught properly. Too often people do not take the time to understand the proper applications of karate. Odo Sensei has taught Ed Hershman HOW to teach as well as the deeper aspects of techniques of Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujutsu.

Kata are the basis for karate. These forms contain the catalogs of all the "secret" techniques of karate. Properly taught and understood karate contains a very complete system of civil defense, tried over hundreds of years to be effective. True Okinawa karate includes all aspects of defense, not just striking. Kenpo includes restraints, throws, take downs and more.
In addition to the Kata, students are taught individual techniques from the kata and how they can be applied. Students develop proficiency and they progress up through the belts ranks.

Students are taught Joint take downs, balance take downs and other throws. Kumite or practice fighting is done with three step, one step and free practice. Students are required to perform different combination techniques increasing in difficulty up the ranks.

Class is supplemented with pre-set self defense techniques to give the student a solid base on how karate works. These include ways to effectively defend oneself from attack ranging from grabs to chokes to weapon attacks.

The old weapons systems of the Okinawa martial arts are taught. Weapons study is part cultural preservation and physical fitness. Each traditional weapon aids in specific defensive development. Each weapon is actually a martial art in itself. The personal development potential is nearly endless. Unlike some martial arts schools, we teach weapons from the beginning. By learning weapons from the beginning of their martial arts training a student will be able to develop skill at a faster rate.