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When you choose a school, you choose your teacher.

I began my martial arts study in 1978 as a U.S. Marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan. My experiences and training in the Marines greatly informed my understanding of violence and, because of this, I have always focused on the practical side of martial arts rather than tournaments and sport.

Over the years I returned to Okinawa to further my studies. My masters from Okinawa have each travelled to Rhode Island to teach me and my students- Takamiyagi sensei has visited us six times!

My first 25 years of training were focused on karate. Throughout the past 20 years I have focused my teaching on Udundi.

Motobu Udundi Instructor
D. Branchaud
Motobu Udundi okinawa
karate instructor Rhode Island
Okinawa kenpo
  • 8th degree black belt - Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobujutsu from Seikichi Odo.
     

  • 5th degree black belt - Motobu Udundi Kobujutsu from Ryoshu Taira and Tetsuo Takamiyagi. 
     

  • B.A. in Anthropology and a B.A. in Communication.
     

  • Honorable Discharge- U.S. Marine Corps

Kim Branchaud

My wife, Kimberly, also teaches at Kodokai Dojo. Kim has been practicing martial arts for more than 20 years and has a keen eye for detail inspiring many people to become devoted to her private lessons. 

4rd degree black belt in Karate

4th degree black belt in Palace Hand & Kobujutsu (weapons).

B.A. in Zoology and Education.

Kodokai Bo Staff
Tomoe selection2.jpg

These are my teachers.

The things you will learn at Kodokai Dojo come directly from these Masters. 

Motobu Udundi Classes

au·then·tic  /ôˈTHen(t)ik/

adjective

1.   of undisputed origin; genuine

2.   conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features

Takamiyagi Tetsuo

10th degree black belt in Karate

8th degree black belt in Motobu Udundi

Motobu Udundi Master Instructor

Taira Ryusho

10th degree black belt in Motobu Udundi

Udundi and karate teacher
225-269Odo-me.jpg

Odo Seikichi

10th degree black belt in Okinawa Kenpo Karate and weapons

Toma Seiki

10th degree black belt in Shorin-ryu Karate

The Right Experience- to help you.

The martial arts that you will learn at Kodokai Dojo are a reflection of our teachers.

 

Martial arts, however, are not simply a collection of techniques. Technique alone, is not enough. The teachings of the dojo encompass the spirit, philosophy, pedagogy and wisdom of generations. The painstaking transmission of knowledge through proven methods enables us to present these old arts with accuracy and with the support and confidence of our teachers.

Where your instructor learned, and who they learned from, matters. 

Maybe we are the school you've been looking for.

Classes in Motobu Udundi

Lessons with Takamiyagi Sensei covered everything!

Okinawa kenpo karate teacher

Being periodically reviewed by Odo Sensei, throughout decades, was a rare privilege.

Motobu Udundi Teachers

Lunch in the Dojo.

A lunch break in the dojo with Takamiyagi Sensei.

karate instruction

Kenya, 1984, Athi Plains

I was asked to do a demonstration to discourage 'shifta' (bandits) from raiding camp.

Motobu Udundi Classes Rhode Island

Takamiyagi Sensei at Kodokai Dojo

Takamiyagi Sensei at Kodokai Dojo

 

Like every other martial art, there is no single governing body for
Motobu Udundi.
There are organizations and independent schools located in Okinawa, where Udundi was created, and on mainland Japan.


Our martial arts come from Okinawa- not Japan. 

We are not affiliated with Motobu Udundi
organizations in mainland Japan.


Taira sensei often urged to me to tell people that...

"(I) learned Okinawan martial arts, on Okinawa,
from Okinawan people."

 
Motobu Udundi Instructor

On Okinawa with Taira Sensei.

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