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Shorin-Ryu Reihokan Karate-Do & Kobudo

Biographies

Chris Hoshiyama, Shihan

Hoshiyama Sensei began his martial arts training in the Hoshiyama family Jujitsu system passed down from his father Kazuo Hoshiyama. While learning Jujitsu, he began training in 1976 under Rudy Crosswell, Hanshi in the Shito-ryu style of karate and continued in that discipline for several years. Shihan’s Jujitsu training continued throughout his life until his father passed away in February of 1996.Throughout his life until his father passed away in February of 1996.Karate had always appealed to Chris because of its dynamic and often flashy striking movements and its beautiful kata.

At a Karate tournament Shihan had the opportunity to meet a man who was known as the Father of Karate in America, Robert Trias, Hanshi. Mr. Trias was the head of the United States Karate Association and responsible for opening the very first Karate school in the United States. It opened in 1946 in Phoenix, Arizona. Shihan trained with Mr. Trias at the U.S.K.A. International Headquarters in Phoenix Arizona, learning the Shuri-ryu and Shorei-ryu systems of karate. Sensei Trias also held Shihan rank in Kodokan Judo. Chris was lucky enough to have had this passed down ti him as well. O-sensei Trias passed away in 1989 of cancer. During the time at the Trias dojo Chris had the opportunity to meet and train under some of the best martial artists in the United States, One of the most notable being Shihan Roy Osborne. Sensei Osborne was the first person to open Hoshiyama Sensei’s eyes to the true ways of Okinawan karate. Osborne Sensei’s list of teachers is amazing to say the least. having been a direct student of Hohan Soken, Kanei Uechi, Fusei Kisei, Seiru Oyata, and many Japanese and American masters. Hoshiyama and Osborne have maintained their student-teacher relationship to this day. Hoshiyama Sensei was taken under the wing of John Pachivas, Hanshi. Mr. Pachivas acted as an advisor and friend to Chris. He passed away in 2000.

In the 1990’s Mr. Hoshiyama decided it was time to learn the original methods of Non-Sport Okinawan Karate. He searched for an authentic Okinawan teacher in his geographic area. He found Shojiro Shiroma, Hanshi a direct student of Chosin Chibana Hanshi and Shugoro Nakazato, Hanshi. Hoshiyama Sensei trained with Mr. Shiroma for several years.

In his efforts to return to the roots of true Okinawan Karate he sought out membership in the Shorin-ryu Shorinkan Kyokai. This is the organization headed by Hanshi Nakazato dedicated to Shorin-Ryu(Kobayashi-ryu) Karate. Hoshiyama Sensei held the rank of Renshi Rokudan under Nakazato Sensei. Shihan Hoshiyama left the Shorinkan and became a member of the Shorin-Ryu Reihokan Karate and Kobudo Association headquarter in Naha City, Okinawa, Japan. He is a Senior Representative for the Reihokan in North America and is a senior student of Naonobu Ahagon- Hanshi in North America. Hanshi Ahagon is the head of The Shorin-Ryu Reihokan Karate-do and Kobudo Association from Okinawa, Japan. Hoshiyama Sensei while holding very high ranks in a number of systems(Trias Shorei-ryu and Shuri-ryu 8th dan) prefers to teach only the pure Okinawa Shorin-ryu style of Kobayashi-ryu as well as continuing the study of Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu. Sensei Hoshiyama holds a Shihan license directly from Okinawa.

Over the years Sensei counts himself fortunate to have been able to develop long lasting friendships and the opportunity to learn from many of the top teachers from Okinawa and in the United States.

Robert B. Herten, Shihan

Bob Herten, founding president of the Okinawan Karate Institute, was the first American to open a Shorin Ryu Dojo in the North Jersey area in 1969. Henceforth; he began a legacy that has earned him a reputation as being one of the true pioneers to introduce the "art" of Okinawa karate to the United States of America.

Sensei has taught over 10,000 students and has been directly responsible for Black Belt rank awards being bestowed on over 200 Martial artists who have earned these prestigious honors in the art of Shorin Ryu Karate Do. Today Herten sensei supervises six dojo in New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.

Herten Sensei has trained with some of the best teachers in the World: Shugoro Nakazato 10th dan Shorin Ryu Shorinkan, Seikichi Iha 10th Dan Shorin Ryu Shidokan, Katsuya Miyahira 10th Dan Shorin Ryu Shidokan, Ernest Estrada 8th Dan Chibana ha Shorin Ryu, Frank VanLenten 10th Dan Goju Ryu Karate do Just recently Herten sensei has been accepted as a shibudojo under Naonobu Ahagon 9th Dan Shorin Ryu Reihokan.Herten sensei can be found teaching Okinawa Shorin Ryu Karate the same way his teachers have taught him over his 45 year career in Karate Do.

Michael H. Evans, Shihan

Michael Evans first introduction to the Martial Arts was at the age of twelve when he started Judo. Later at the age of seventeen, he began training in the art of Shorin-Ryu Karate. He has continued his training and teaching of this art for the last thirty years. He achieved his Shodan (1st degree black belt rank) in 1983, his Nidan (2nd degree black belt rank) in 1985 and his Sondan (3rd degree black belt rank). In 1990, he was fortunate enough to go to Okinawa and test for my Yondon, (4th degree black belt rank) He received his Godan (5th degree black belt rank) in 1994, and his Ryukudan (6th Degree) as well as his Yondon in Okinawa Kobudo (Weapons) at the same time. Note that in 1995, Michael received his first of two Shihan (master instructors certificate) the 2nd and most important to him in 2000 when he began training with Hanshi Ahagon. In 2004 he received his Ryukudan (6th degree) in Chico from Hanshi as well as his Renshi title, as well as being named as a international instructor by Hanshi Ahagon. In 2007 he tested and passed his Ryukudan (6th degree) in Kobudo. In the spring of 2010, he tested for Nanadan (7th dan). In the 1980's, Michael was a top tournament competitor. He has competed in hundreds of tournaments wining or placing in most. During the 1987 tournament season, Michael was rated number one in fighting for California and Nevada by the Professional Karate League. Michael has taught many seminars regarding, Self Defense, fighting, and the martial arts in general throughout California, Nevada, and Montana. He currently owns and teaches at the Chico Dojo Karate Club, 483 East Avenue, Chico, CA 95973 - Phone number (530) 898-9753.

Mark Spear, Shihan

Mark Spear started training in the martial arts in 1975 in Mystic, CT. His first style was Judo, a Japanese art that was very popular at the time that was being taught in the area. Mark earned the rank of brown belt. At age 13, he studied Kung Fu, Pai Lum system. Mark studied with Respholi Sifu until his untimely passing. He then found a Shorin-Ryu school in Westerly, RI called NEMA (New England Martial Arts) under the ownership and direction of Robert Celico, Sensei student of Patrick Hayden, Sensei. He trained with Celico Sensei until the NEMA closed. He began training with Luzzi Sensei of Northeast Karate in Westerly, RI. He was promoted to Shodan in the spring of 1991. From 1991 until 1992, he received instruction from B. Algier, Sensei at the Knights of Columbus karate club. Never leaving his Shorin-ryu training, he was later able to supplement his martial arts knowledge in Goju-ryu with Fisher Sensei in New London, CT from 1991 through 1996. From 2002 through 2008, he trained Shorin-Ryu Shidokan with Algier Sensei (at the direction of R. Herten, Sensei of NJ.) at the first and second location of the Okinawan Karate Institute. On May 27, 2009 Naonobu Ahagon Sensei appointed him Chief Instructor for Reihokan for the State of CT and he was granted a Shihan license. His dojo, Black Bear Traditional Martial Arts Center was recognized as the Shibu Dojo for the Reihokan Association for the state of CT. Spear Sensei has been teaching for over 20 years. He has instructed with agencies such as the State of CT, Navy training academies, State of RI, Town of Westerly, and many others. He is currently certified to instruct for the following groups: American Red Cross, American Women's Self Defense Assoc., NRA and Town of Westerly. Sensei has current memberships in Shorin-Ryu Reihokan Assocation and the ALL JAPAN BUDO FEDERATION NIPPON SEIBUKAN DOJO / U.S.A. BRANCH. Spear Sensei has been involved in the Martial Arts for 34 years and have trained with some of the best Shorin-Ryu students/teachers in the world.

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