AboutLaurence Lance Expertise I can answer questions on history, culture and on actual self defense effectivness of Okinawian Karate and some systems of Japanese Karate
Experience Experience in the area
I started learning Karate in 1967, so I'm comming up on 40 years experience.
I have studied with four men ranked 8th Dan or higher.
Organizations
Over the past 40 years I have belonged to a variety of Okinawian Karate groups. As different masters have retired or passed away the groups have been renamed, so while I have belonged to differntly named organizations it has pretty much always been within the same family.<
Education/Credentials
My current certificate is Kiyoshi, 6th Dan.<
Awards and Honors
Kiyoshi is an honorific title signifing the full ability to teach.
Past/Present clients
I teach only on refferal and only privately.
Update:June 2007
Shortly before he passed away the head of the system in America, Ken Penland awarded me the certificate of Nanadan, which is a 7th degree, and considered a Master Level teaching certificate.
I have known Ken since the early 80s. In those years he and I have written a number of historical research papers. Ken lived in Southern California but visited Seattle on several occasions and stayed with me on those visits. I am going to miss him but I know he expects me to continue research into our art.
Expert: Laurence Lance Date: 5/13/2008 Subject: How many
Question I was just wondering how many karate forms are there. I take Wado Ryu Karate, and i know theres shotokan, Gojo Ryu, Kenpo, koyshinki(not great spelling) shinto Ryu, and Inshin Ryu. IS there more?
Answer Hello, Josh,
As reference material, I'm looking on pages 91, through 99 Takao Nakaya's "Karate-Do History and Philosophy" 1986. JSS Publishing.
Nakaya lists "Major" and "Minor' styles for both Japanese and Okinawan systems.
He goes on: "It's important to remember that the modern day styles of karate did not appear until about eighty years ago; however these styles are very important from a historical standpoint. As mentioned in chapter One, all these styles came from four basic areas; Shuri, Naha, Tomari, and China. Although the various Karate styles have spread to all parts of the world, this chapter will deal with the main kKarate styels found in Okinawa and Japan."
Okinawan Minor
Motobu-Ryu
Shorin ( Sukunaihayashi)
Shorinji-Ryu
Chubushorin-Ryu
Nanbushshorin-Ryu
Matsumurashorin-Ryu -- Which is the system I practice
Isshin-Ryu
Ryuei-Ryu
Kojo-Ryu
Shito-Ryu
Kushin-Ryu
Ishimni-Ryu
Toyama-Ryu
