Hidy Ochiai Bed of Nails)
Dan Penrod began studying karate, as a boy, in upstate New York. It was1976 and the style of karate was called Washin Ryu Karate-do, founded by a Japanese karate master named Hidy Ochiai. Sensei Ochiai was famous for his charismatic, flamboyant demonstrations; having concrete smashed on his stomach by sledge hammer while lying on a bed of nails, breaking sharp arrows by pressing them into his muscular neck until that snapped, pulverizing apples from students mouths with nunchaku, splitting apples on students necks with a katana while blindfolded.  Washin Ryu is a very traditional style of Japanese Karate, similar to Shotokan.  The same Heian and Tekki katas are practiced.  Penrod studied this style of karate for 2 years before relocating from New York to Florida.

Soken and KiseMaster Fusei Kise
 
 

Kise awarding Dan Penrod his shodan certificate

In Florida Penrod began to practice a style of Okinawan Karate known as Shorin-Ryu Matsumura Seito (Orthodox) (Ken Shin Kan), affiliated with the All Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate and Kobudo Federation.

This style was founded by an Okinawan master named Fusei Kise (left and right).  He was taught by the late Hohan Soken, of direct lineage to Bushi Matsumura, founder of all Okinawan karate.  Soken passed down the esoteric White Crane Kata to Kise.

Shorin-Ryu karate, like most forms of Okinawan karate utilizes shorter, more upright stances than the traditional Japanese styles.  A characteristic principle of Okinawan karate is "Tai Sabaki" (Change of body), the principle of countering an attack by entering off-the-line and striking vital points.  Another principle found in Okinawan styles of karate is that of blocking and striking simultaneously rather than on a one-two count. 
 

 Dan Practicing Bo Kata In Old Dojo - Kise Looks On

- aikido -