001 — Welcome to Notes from the Workshop

Dōjō Kigu—old-school karate conditioning

Welcome to Notes from the Workshop—a place for reflection, exploration, and conversation about the art and practice of traditional Okinawan Karate and Kobujutsu.

This blog is an extension of The Karate Workshop, where I teach and train authentic Gōjū-Ryū Karate and Yamanni Chinen-Ryū Kobujutsu. It’s a space to share insights from the dōjō floor, lessons from my sensei, reflections on the evolving role of karate in today’s world, and the rich culture that shapes these arts.

I have trained in authentic Okinawan martial traditions for over four decades. Having lived in Japan and trained in Okinawa, I bring a unique perspective to this work. And after all that time, I still find these arts have more to teach—about movement, discipline, humility, and life itself.

This blog isn’t about flashy techniques or watered-down shortcuts. It’s about the quiet, persistent work of real training. The kind done with rolled-up sleeves and an open mind. The kind that honors tradition while asking honest questions. The kind that shapes character as much as it sharpens technique and develops skill.

I hope what you find here is not only helpful, but also inspiring. I hope it challenges you to think, motivates you to train, and, most importantly, encourages you to grow.

Thank you for visiting The Karate Workshop.