Kodokai Dojo
Fitness & Self-protection
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.
D. Branchaud
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8th degree black belt - Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobujutsu from Seikichi Odo.
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5th degree black belt - Motobu Udundi Kobujutsu from Ryoshu Taira and Tetsuo Takamiyagi.
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B.A. in Anthropology and a B.A. in Communication.
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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.
These are my teachers.
The things you will learn at Kodokai Dojo come directly from these Masters.
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
Taira Ryusho
10th degree black belt in Motobu Udundi
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.
Lessons with Takamiyagi Sensei covered everything!
Being periodically reviewed by Odo Sensei, throughout decades, was a rare privilege.
Lunch in the Dojo.
A lunch break in the dojo with Takamiyagi Sensei.
Kenya, 1984, Athi Plains
I was asked to do a demonstration to discourage 'shifta' (bandits) from raiding camp.
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."
On Okinawa with Taira Sensei.