About Our Karate History and Tradition
Training in the Nihon Karate School is conducted in the traditional Japanese method, stressing discipline, consistent attendance, etiquette, and hard work. Karate instruction is life-long and can be continued regardless of age.
Training at Nihon Karate School incorporates elements of Shotokan Karate, Shito Ryu Karate, Aikido, and Jujitsu in the formal curriculum, with an emphasis on philosophy and education.
The purpose of training in karate is to develop the whole human being, physically and mentally. Through long-term, dedicated training, students learns to develop and unite Shin (mind), Gi (technique), and Tai (body) in proper proportions. The end result is awareness of one’s moral obligations and place in society.
Nihon Karate School
- Serving the eastside of Tucson since 2004
- Founded by Sensei Patrick & Rose Martin
- Former USA Karate Team Members
- Over 30 years of training & teaching Karate
We believe in a strong community and in giving back to that community. We have partnered with many local charities and organizations each and every year in order to best serve the community in which we live.
What is the Jinen Kai Karate organization?
Nihon Karate School is a member of the Japan Karate-Do Jinen Kai organization that practices Shindo Jinen Ryu Karate-Do.
The Japan Karate-Do Jinen-Kai was founded in 2015. Initially comprised of dojos from Southern California, Arizona and Aruba, it takes on the challenges of building the next generation of martial artists - well-balanced and capable individuals in Shin (Spirit), in Gi (Technique), and in Tai (Body).
The history of the Japan Karate-Do Jinen-Kai is rooted in the foundations of the Shindo Jinen-Ryu style of Karate that was founded by Yasuhiro Konishi (1893-1983) in October 1933. This is an eclectic style incorporating elements of traditional Karate (primarily from the Shotokan and Shito Ryu styles), Aikido and Jujitsu; with emphasis on the founder's philosophy of "Ken Zen Ichinyo," "The Mind and Body are ONE."
While the backbone and foundation of Jinen Kai Karate is Shindo Jinen Ryu, we are focused on taking the best of all backgrounds and infusing the training into something that works for each individual.
What is Shindo Jinen Ryu style?
Shindo Jinen Ryu is the first original style born in mainland Japan. It was founded by Yasuhiro Konishi, and developed by his son, Yasuhiro (Takehiro) Konishi. JKJ branches are located across the United States and are currently under the leadership of Sensei Patrick Martin, Sensei Chad Eagan, and Sensei Dustin Baldis.
The style of karate taught at Nihon Karate School is called Shindo Jinen Ryu. Yasuhiro Konishi learned karate from Gichin Funakoshi, Chojun Miyagi, Kenwa Mabuni, and Choki Motobu. Additionally, Konishi Sensei studied extensively under the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba.
Inspired to further develop and extend the Shindo Jinen Ryu style, while paying homage to the great masters and their legacy, the Japan Karate-Do Jinen-Kai organization was founded in 2015.
Yasuhiro Konishi
(1893-1983)
Yasuhiro Konishi was a leading pioneer of Karate from the Japanese mainland, born in 1893. He began training in began training in Muso-ryu ju-jutsu at the age of six and then kendo at the age of 13.
Konishi studied at Keio University from 1915-1923 and was the kendo team captain. In 1924 he met Ohtsuka Hironori and Funakoshi Gichin and began a journey of cross-training with the founder of Shotokan karate-do from Okinawa.
Yasuhiro Konishi founded Shindo Jinen Ryu in 1933.
Konishi was a phenomenal martial artist who had been a student of Morehei Ueshiba, Gichin Funakoshi, Choki Motobu, and Kenwa Mabuni. His style of Shindo Jinen Ryu Karate was a combination of what he had learnt from these great masters. He established the Japan Karate-Do Ryobu-Kai (JKR) as the organisation for his style.
In 1983 Yasuhiro Konishi died.
Kiyoshi Yamazaki
(1940-living)
Kiyoshi Yamazaki was born on 16 August 1940 in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
In 1956 Yamazaki Sensei began karate training at age 16 under Yasuhiro Konishi, the founder of Shindo Jinen Ryu.
At this time there were approximately 50 adult students practicing kendo and karatedo under Konishi's instruction.
In 1960 Yamazaki enrolled at Senshu University, which led to him joining the University’s Karate club. He trained in Shotokan Karate with the Shotokai group, under the instruction of Hironishi Motonobu. Through hard training, Yamazaki improved rapidly in Shotokan.
In 1969 Yamazaki, who also studied Shoto-kai style karate during his college years, left Japan for the United States.
By the 1980s Yamazaki had embarked on a movie career. In 1982 he appeared in the film, Conan the Barbarian playing the role of a swordmaster.
In 1984 he worked as a fight coordinator on the films Conan the Destroyer and Dune. In 1985 he worked on the film Red Sonja.
Sensei Chad Eagan
Sensei Chad Eagan is the co-owner and head instructor of NKD Martial Arts in Fullerton, CA.
Sensei Eagan has been training since the age of 5 years old, has over 30 years of experience in multiple fields of martial arts and has over 20 years of teaching experience. He studied and trained extensively under Sensei Yamazaki as early as 1985.
He has been recognized for many awards throughout his career, such as 2005 Masters Hall of Fame Competitor of the Year, 2007 Masters Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award, 7-time national champion, and a 10-year member of the USA National Karate Team.
All the experience and accolades has allowed him to coach over 30 national and international champions. Sensei Chad currently holds the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt under the Japan Karate-Do Jinen-Kai organization, and 3rd Degree Black Belt under the Olympic committee recognized United States of America National Karate-Do Federation.
"Consistency is the key to success and the key to consistency is training."
NKD Martial Arts website:
Sensei Dustin Baldis
Sensei Dustin Baldis is the Chief Instructor of the Pennsylvania Shotokan Karate Club, which he founded in 1992.
Sensei Baldis has been involved with traditional Japanese karate-do for over 34 years and is a Fifth degree Black Belt in the art of Shotokan Karate.
In addition to the USA Karate Hall of Fame and 2016 Masters Hall of Fame induction, Sensei Baldis is the first in USA Karate History to medal as an athlete (1995) and Coach (2011) in the Pan American Games.
- Training since 1985
- Former USA National Karate Team member (1989-2000)
- USA National Karate Team Coach (2005-Present)
- Godan 5th Degree Black Belt
- 2001 USA Karate Hall of Fame Inductee
- 2010 - 2011 USA Karate Coach of the Year
- 2011 United States Olympic Committee - Developmental Coach of the Year
Pennsylvania Shotokan Karate Club (P.S.K.C.) website:
Sensei Patrick Martin
Sensei Patrick Martin is the Chief Instructor of the Nihon Karate School, which he founded in 2004.
Sensei Patrick is a board member in the Karate Arizona ASO with the position of Coaching Director and is a Certified Coach under the USA National Karate-Do Federation.
Sensei Patrick was inducted to the Masters Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2015.
- Training since 1992
- Godan 5th Degree Black Belt (Japan Karate-Do Ryobu-Kai)
- Sandan 3rd Degree Black Belt (USA National Karate Federation)
- USA National Karate Team Member (1996–2005)
- USA Karate National Kata Coach (2008–present)
