 would like to take this opportunity to personally welcome
you to our web site. We are excited to be providing the online community
with information about traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do and Okinawan
Kobudo. In addition, you will find we also have many items of interest to
any traditional martial artist. Please browse through our pages at your
leisure and let us know if you have any questions or comments. |
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| -Sensei John Porta |
Sensei John Porta began his training in the martial arts in 1954. From 1959 to 1966 he served as martial arts and weapons instructor for the United States Treasury Department. In 1966 Sensei Porta founded Porta's Karate-Do & Kobudo Academy. Sensei Porta received a Bachelor's Degree in Bible Philosophy in 1974 and a Ministerial Studies degree from Berean University, Springfield, Missouri, in 1996 and an Honorary Doctorate degree in 2000. He is an ordained minister and holds the position of Chaplain with the Christian Black Belt Association. Over the years Sensei Porta has made numerous trips to Okinawa and has traveled throughout Japan. On several occasions Sensei Porta was responsible for organizing and leading demonstration groups, including delegations for Japanese National Television, the 30th anniversary of the Okinawa Goju-Ryu Goju-Kai, the 30th anniversary of the Okinawa Goju-Ryu Shobukan Organization, and the Okinawan Uchinanchu Festivals. In 1990, Sensei Porta was awarded the 7th dan black belt and the title "Kyoshi" by Sensei Masanobu Shinjo. At the same time he was appointed the United States Representative for the Okinawa Goju-Ryu Shobukan Organization. In 1994, Sensei Porta's responsibilities were expanded significantly when he was appointed the International Representative for the Shobukan Organization. Sensei Porta is the senior American student of the late Master Masanobu Shinjo. In 1998, Sensei Porta was awarded the teaching grade of "Kyoshi" by the Okinawa-Ken Karate-Do Rengo-Kai.The certification was awarded by: Norimasa Taba, organization Chairman, Meitoku Yagi, Naha-Te and Moriyoshi Itosu, Uechi-Ryu. Sensei Porta received the rank of 9th degree black belt with teaching grade of Hanshi awarded by the Okinawa Goju-Kai and Okinawa Goju-Ryu Shobukan Association, Okinawa, Japan, Masashi Shinjo Kancho on June 30, 2006. In addition to his role in the karate world, Sensei Porta also holds a 6th degree black belt and the title of "Renshi" in the Zen Okinawa Kobudo Renmei (All Okinawa Kobudo Federation, for which he is also a Branch Representative). |
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| Okinawa Karate-Do Goju-Ryu Shobukan |  |
Porta's Karate-Do & Kobudo Academy |