Karate History and Lineage
Shito-ryu Karatedo founder Kenwa Mabuni
After a brief stint in American Karate in 1984-85, James Houston started serious study of Shito-Ryu Karate with Gary Aday Sensei in 1986-1990. During this time Houston was also a student under Rick Smith Sensei in his Glade Spring Dojo. The training was vigorous and very traditional.
Shito-ryu is a style of Karatedo founded by Kenwa Mabuni, an Okinawan police officer, and martial arts master. Shitō-ryū is a combination style, which unites the diverse roots of karate. On one hand, Shitō-ryū has the physical strength and long powerful stances of Shuri-te derived styles, such as Shorin-ryū and Shotokan (松涛館), on the other hand Shitō-ryū has circular and eight-directional movements, breathing power, hard and soft characteristics of Naha-te andTomari-te (泊手) styles, such as Gōjū-ryū (剛柔流). Shitō-ryū is extremely fast, yet artistic and powerful. * Source Japan Karatedo Hayashi-Ha
In 1990 James Houston began studying at Radford University. The school was chosen because of the martial arts minor program operated by Dr. Jerry Beasley. It was here where James would receive his black belt from the AIKIA organization. James would actively participate in the AIKIA organization from 1990 until the current time.
The A.I.K.I.A™ association (American Independent Karate/Kickboxing Instructors Association) was developed in 1983 by Dr. Jerry Beasley, university professor emeritus and Black Belt ® magazine Hall of Famer and his teacher, Joe Lewis, fighting protégé of Bruce Lee, Black Belt Hall of Famer and voted “The Greatest Tournament Fighter of All-Time.” Superstar Bill Wallace joined AIKIA as co-national director in 1988. For almost three decades partners Lewis, Wallace and Beasley jointly promoted the American Independent Karate/Kickboxing Instructors Association forming a worldwide network of martial arts school affiliates who joined together to recognize student and Black Belt rank and credentialing.
James Houston opened his first professional martial arts school in 1991 teaching classes in both Radford VA and Floyd VA. His classes have always been taught in a traditional Japanese way including strong attention to detail of each individual technique. His teaching methodology emphasizes strong physical conditioning in cooperation with a constant focus on how to apply technique in real world situations for self defense.
In the karate community he is known for his knowledge of Bunkai, or hidden technique. His study of multiple martial arts has allowed for him to unlock some of the more esoteric techniques inside karate kata.
Shito-ryu is a style of Karatedo founded by Kenwa Mabuni, an Okinawan police officer, and martial arts master. Shitō-ryū is a combination style, which unites the diverse roots of karate. On one hand, Shitō-ryū has the physical strength and long powerful stances of Shuri-te derived styles, such as Shorin-ryū and Shotokan (松涛館), on the other hand Shitō-ryū has circular and eight-directional movements, breathing power, hard and soft characteristics of Naha-te andTomari-te (泊手) styles, such as Gōjū-ryū (剛柔流). Shitō-ryū is extremely fast, yet artistic and powerful. * Source Japan Karatedo Hayashi-Ha
In 1990 James Houston began studying at Radford University. The school was chosen because of the martial arts minor program operated by Dr. Jerry Beasley. It was here where James would receive his black belt from the AIKIA organization. James would actively participate in the AIKIA organization from 1990 until the current time.
The A.I.K.I.A™ association (American Independent Karate/Kickboxing Instructors Association) was developed in 1983 by Dr. Jerry Beasley, university professor emeritus and Black Belt ® magazine Hall of Famer and his teacher, Joe Lewis, fighting protégé of Bruce Lee, Black Belt Hall of Famer and voted “The Greatest Tournament Fighter of All-Time.” Superstar Bill Wallace joined AIKIA as co-national director in 1988. For almost three decades partners Lewis, Wallace and Beasley jointly promoted the American Independent Karate/Kickboxing Instructors Association forming a worldwide network of martial arts school affiliates who joined together to recognize student and Black Belt rank and credentialing.
James Houston opened his first professional martial arts school in 1991 teaching classes in both Radford VA and Floyd VA. His classes have always been taught in a traditional Japanese way including strong attention to detail of each individual technique. His teaching methodology emphasizes strong physical conditioning in cooperation with a constant focus on how to apply technique in real world situations for self defense.
In the karate community he is known for his knowledge of Bunkai, or hidden technique. His study of multiple martial arts has allowed for him to unlock some of the more esoteric techniques inside karate kata.
Karate Kata
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Shi-to Ryu Kata
Shi-to Ryu Kata