Karate Style and Lineage

Johnston Karate style and lineage information
I am dedicated to the traditions and history of Karate as a whole. My particular style is a formulation of Heiwado, the Japan International Karate Center / Nippon Kokusai Karate Center derivative of Wado ryu Karate.
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'The Way is not meant as a way of fighting. It is a path on which you travel to find your own inner peace and harmony. It is yours to seek and find.'
- Hironori Ohtsuka, founder of Wado ryu Karate (6/1/1892 - 1/29/1982)

Please see my online karate guide for more information, including history, traditions, and technique. The following information, as well as that provided in my book, are hardly complete. Any worthwhile additional data (with credible sources given) will be considered and appreciated. It is best that all martial artists work together. :)

Hironori Ohtsuka
Student of Gichin Funakoshi (father of modern karate)
Founder of Wado ryu Karate-do, Ohtsuka sensei developed the style as a blend of the basics and kata of various Okinawan karate (including Shotokan and Shito ryu), the rugged practicality and natural movements of Shindo Yoshin ryu Jiujitsu, and the fluidity and peacefulness of Aikido. The Wado ryu Karate symbol represents peace encompassing strength.

In the months leading to his retirement, he decided that his son was to succeed him as grandmaster of Wado-ryu. However, some of the higher level Wado ryu Karateka were not in favor of this decision. Negotiations took place, but no agreement could be reached as to the next grandmaster. As a result, some of the karateka split off to form their own associations.

Kiyosiha Hirano
Student of Ohtsuka and founder of Japan International Karate Center
<Hirano-soke founded Heiwa-do, his interpretation of Wado ryu Karate. It is a blend of Shotokan, Shito Ryu, Goju Ryu, and Wado Ryu, as well as Hirano-soke's experience in Aikido, Iaido, Judo, and Ki. The basic strategy and philosophies are classical Wado Ryu.

Shotokan's scientific approach to body physics helps the students grasp instruction more easily. Shito-Ryu's efficiency and superior stances are also adopted. Also integrated into Heiwa-do movements are Goju-Ryu's dynamic breathing methods.

The name Heiwa-do uses the first kanji (Japanese set of Chinese loanwords) character of Hirano (Hira, or Hei), and the first character from Hirano-soke's first style of Karate, Wado-Ryu (Wa). The do in Heiwa-do translates to The Way. Heiwa-do's name was created out of respect for its origins in Wado ryu. Heiwa also happens to be the Japanese word for peace; therefore Heiwa-do literally means The Way of Peace.

Dale Coker
Student of Hirano
Founder of Nippon Kokusai Karate Center and Japan Karate Institute
Sensei Dale is currently ranked rokudan (sixth degree black belt) and teaches at his dojo in Charleston, South Carolina.

Kevin Marshall
Student of Dale Coker
Current Owner of Nippon Kokusai Karate Center
Sensei Kevin teaches at his dojo in Goose Creek, South Carolina, with the assistance of a full team of black belts. He hosts one or two invitational tournaments yearly.

Craig McKenzie
Student of Dale Coker and Kevin Marshall
He is currently affiliated with Nippon Kokusai Karate Center, and is ranked sandan (3rd black).

Owen Johnston
Student of Craig McKenzie
I trained under Sensei Craig (from whom I received my shodan / black belt) from June 10th, 2002 - April 23rd, 2005, at the Nippon Kokusai Karate Center dojo in Lake City, SC. This dojo was a branch location of Japan Internation Karate Center. In January 2004, I took over management and ownership of the business side of the dojo. As such, upon splitting off from NKKC, I kept the building and changed the school's name. I have since done various lengths of study in other martial arts styles, primarily Gracie Jiujitsu and western sport boxing. I have also continued training in Heiwado as time allows.

Everyone is welcome to come observe my karate classes and decide for themselves if indeed they feel I have anything to share. I would like to emphasize my dedication to absorbing every aspect of karate into my daily life. I do not pretend to be a karate master, nor that I "invented the wheel". I simply wish to transmit karate with the same level of integrity and dignity as it was passed down to me. I don't want to let down the karate masters of old, who fought for survival, and morality. In their memory, I humbly present myself as a travel guide who would enjoy walking with you on the path to truth. It is in that way I hope we may all help one another reach our goals in a positive way.

It is in this spirit that I (with the invaluable help of my development team) that I have been continuosly developing my own formulation of karate. It centers around realistic training, and fast, cat like, unpredictable movement. The primary influences are Heiwado Karate (the style of JIKC / Japan International Karate Center), Western Sport Boxing, and Brazilian Jiujitsu. There are other secondary influences from other forms of karate and jiujitsu.

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