OUR KARATE-JUJUTSU LINEAGE
From the Beginning...
Gichin Funakoshi was born in Okinawa in 1868 to a Samurai-class family. Funakoshi began learning "Te" (the early name for Karate) at a young age under Okinawan Masters Anko Azato and Anko Itosu. In the 1910s, Funakoshi was asked by the Crown Prince of Japan to bring his native fighting art to mainland Japan. It was at this time when Funakoshi began to teach the Japanese what he called “Karate” (meaning Empty Hand), using influences from his close friend, Dr. Jigoro Kano (founder of Judo). Funakoshi founded his own style of Karate in Japan, after his death, his style became known as "Shotokan". Gichin Funakoshi is known as the Father of Modern Karate.
TAINEN TAKEMORI
Tainen Takemori is the official founder of Shorinji-Ryu Seikukan Karate.
Takemori met Funakoshi in the early 1920's when he was studying at a university to be a chemist. Takemori learned early-era Funakoshi Karate, more reminiscent of Funakoshi's Okinawan “Te” - long before the changes were made to Shotokan that made it more sport-oriented. Takemori trained under Funakoshi for over 10 years, until he was deployed to China with the Japanese Occupational Forces during WWII. After studying Chinese Kung Fu during his deployment, Takemori returned to Japan and opened his own Karate school, fusing Funakoshi's Okinawan Karate with the newly-learned Chinese influences - naming his style "Shorinji Ryu Seikukan Karate" meaning "Training Hall under the Cloudless Sky"
FUNAKOSHI GICHIN
TERUMASA OGAWA
Terumasa Ogawa trained directly under Tainen Takemori following WWII. After many years of training, Master Ogawa was promoted to "master of the style" and granted the the full ability to teach Seikukan by Takemori. The entire style was passed to Master Ogawa after Takemori's death. Master Ogawa immigrated to the United States in the 1970's, where he opened his own Dojo in Virginia News, VA, where he still teaches today. Master Ogawa's rank was certified by the Han Japan Karate Association.
MARTY WALTERS
Marty Walters, is a Kudan (10th Degree Black Belt). Master Walters is a master of Seikukan Karate and an accomplished Kickboxer, with a fight record of 39-3-2.​
Master Walter has trained under Master Ogawa for many many years to and was promoted to his current rank in Seikukan Karate by Master Ogawa. Over the years, Master Walters has passed on his knowledge to hundreds of students, some of which have continued this lineage.
​
GM Marty Walters is one of two Grandmasters on the ORKA Board, which governs the VMA.
MARK HALEY
Mark Haley is a Kudan (10th Degree Black Belt) in Te Ashi Ryu JuJutsu. GM Haley began his martial arts journey in 1975 by training in one of Sensei Robert Bowles Shuri Ryu Karate Schools. He continued his training in Shuri Ryu Karate until 1982. Gm Haley then began training in Okugi-no Jujutsu, receiving his black belt in 1984. In 1984 GM Haley Joined the United States Air Force, it was During this time, in 1987, that he began training under Sensei Darren Walters in Shotokan Karate. Sensei Walters promoted GM Haley to 3rd Dan in 1988, and at that time Sensei Walters agreed to sponsor and support GM Haley founding Te-Ashi Ryu Jujutsu. Te-Ashi Ryu Jujutsu/Karate is a blend of Karate, Jujutsu, Judo, Aikido and Budo (weapons training).
​
GM Haley is one of two Grandmasters on the ORKA Board, which governs the VMA.
LESLIE LOSIER
Leslie Losier, is a Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) and has trained Karate in various forms for over 28 years. Master Losier is a student of GM Mark Haley and has extensive training in Japanese Jujutsu, Shotokan Karate, Kenpo, and Te-Ashi Ryu JuJutsu. He also trained with the US Wado Team. Master Losier founded his own style, Oku-No Ryu Karate, in 2014 after starting his own independent school with no affiliation to a larger association or style. In 2018, Master Losier teamed up with Greg Burcham of Seikukan Karate. In 2019, due to the extreme similarities of the two Karate styles - Seikukan Karate and Oku-no Ryu Karate, the styles merged to make a more complete Karate system involving many of the Jujutsu applications from Oku-no Ryu Karate/Te Ashi Ryu JuJutsu. Master Losier is the primary instructor to Mr. Strain. Master Losier has since relocated to San Antonio, TX, but still remains a very important figure, instructor and board member for the Valley Martial Arts.
CODY STRAIN
Mr. Cody Strain is the head Karate Instructor and owner of the Valley Martial Arts. A student of Masters Leslie Losier (Oku No Ryu Karate) and Robert Starnes (Seikukan Karate), Mr. Strain holds a 4th Degree Black Belt in Shorinji Ryu Seikukan Karate and and a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Oku-no Ryu Karate. Mr. Strain is also a Police Officer and certified Police Krav Maga Instructor and a purple belt in Eikitai Ryu JuJitsu. His previous training includes Krav Maga, Japanese JuJutsu, American Kenpo, Hapkido, Kali, and Jeet Kun Do. Since taking on the role of head instructor at the VMA in 2018, Mr. Strain has since only promoted four black belts, one being his wife, Mrs. Courtney Strain, who serves as assistant instructor at the Valley Martial Arts and the primary instructor to our Junior and Little Samurai programs.
​
Mr. and Mrs. Strain continue to actively train in Karate, JuJutsu and Krav Maga to further increase their skillsets.