Instructors

Yasuo Yamada

Profile: Born in Niigata Prefecture. He has been in Okinawa for 34 years and has experience in Kyokushin Karate in high school. Since 2013, he has been studying under Chinen Sensei and has started traditional Okinawan karate in earnest. Currently, in addition to kid’s classes and general classes, he also teaches management classes for business owners. He is the secretary general of the Okinawa Dojo at the World Oshukai General Headquarters and a member of the World Oshukai Committee.

Message: For all those who wanted to learn Okinawa Karate but were unable to do so, we will do our best to help you start up Okinawa Karate! Please come and experience the wonderful world of Okinawa karate!

Kohei Oshiro

Profile: Born in Okinawa Prefecture. From the age of 15, he began studying under Master Chinen and began practicing Okinawan traditional karate and kobudo in earnest. He is currently also involved in teaching general classes. He is an instructor at the Okinawa Dojo of the World Oshukai General Headquarters.

Message: We have a course that allows you to easily start learning karate online! Let’s sweat and learn together through daily training! We look forward to meeting you!

Ko Koizumi

Profile: Seven years ago, I learned about Chinen Sensei’s traditional Okinawan karate, and was fascinated by his karate techniques and philosophy, so I joined the World Oshukai. I am working hard to learn even a little bit of Chinen Sensei’s karate and convey its charm to as many people as possible in Tokyo! My favorite kata is Pin’An Shodan. His hobby is playing music. Both karate and music have a common rhythm.

Message: I would like to share my experience learning karate from scratch with everyone and utilize it in my online teaching. I would be happy if as many people as possible could feel the charm of Oshukai’s karate. Let’s have fun learning together!

Kenji Nagashima

Profile: After experiencing Aikido and full-contact karate, in 2010 he tried Oshukai Shorin-ryu Karatedo at Murasaki Mura International Karatedo Training Center in Yomitan Village. He encountered real traditional karate and was so shocked that he entered the Oshukai. World Oshukai, Tokyo Branch, Chief, World Oshukai Committee Member.

Message: I want people all over the world to learn about the traditional Okinawan culture of karate, learn about the philosophy of Okinawan karate, and experience the joy of practicing and growing together! Let’s practice together and work up a good sweat!

Yo Satake

Profile: He started karate to relieve stress while studying abroad in the United States. He has experienced full contact karate such as Kyokushin for about 20 years. During his trip to Germany, he watched a documentary about Okinawan karate on TV and became fascinated with traditional karate, saying, “This is the karate I want to learn!” After returning to Japan, he moved to Okinawa. He joined the World Oshukai and has been practicing Shorin-ryu Karate for 4 years. He is currently teaching a kid’s class.

Message: Although we are still inexperienced, let’s work together through training and grow together!

Yoko Kojima

Profile: She joined the World Oshukai at the age of 47, along with her then 8-year-old son. At first, she started because she wanted her son to grow up to be a strong boy, but before she knew it, she, as the mother, was fascinated by traditional Okinawan karate. Currently working as an assistant instructor for classes aimed at business owners.

Message: Traditional Okinawan karate can be practiced regardless of age or gender, so I practice hard and have fun every day!

Yoshino Taira

Profile: Born in Okinawa Prefecture. As she listened to the charms and stories of traditional karate, she aimed to become a practitioner, and from the age of 26 she began learning traditional karate under Master Kenyu Chinen and Kohei Oshiro sensei. She is realizing the charm of traditional karate every day, which she never understood until she tried it!

Message: Let’s practice together and interact with each other through karate!

Stuart McWhinney

Profile: I have many hobbies, including games, music, writing, and drawing. As a fan of Star Wars, from a child I became interested in different cultures, martial arts, and philosophy. I am from Australia and moved to Okinawa in 2015 where I met Oshukai and was impressed by a truly authentic budo I have never experienced before. More than becoming stronger, I use martial arts to mature and understand my true self.

Message: Variety is the space of life, so let’s share experiences to bring out our best selves.