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Hanshi Phillip Koeppel - Director, USKK
His training began while he was in the navy - stationed in Yokohama, Japan - with Yashiro Kawaguchi (Wado-ryu) and Richard Kim (Shorinji-ryu). When he was transferred to Hawaii he studied with Master Emperado, the founder of the Kajukembo style. Upon returning home, he sought out Robert A. Trias of Phoenix, Arizona, "father of karate in America" and was his senior student. He was also the United States Karate Association's 'third region' director for 22 years. In 1982 Hanshi Koeppel, then a 7th Dan, began his quest to further his knowledge of Okinawan karate and kobudo through the study of Matsumura Seito Shorinryu.
In 1984 Hanshi Koeppel founded the United States Karate-do Kai (USKK), an international martial arts service organisation, dedicated to the preservation and propogation of traditional Okinawan and Japanese karate. His effort and dedication has had a profound impact on the spread of karate throughout the United States and, during the last 10 years, has become internationally known for his seminars in Ireland, England and Canada. |
Hanshi Koeppel has been an integral leader in the spread of karate in the United States, founding the first karate school in Illinois, in 1959, in Peoria.
The Matsumura Seito (Orthodox) Shorinryu method evolved from the 'ti' or 'te' techniques and methods taught by Sokon ('Bushi') Matsumura. When Anko Itosu introduced karate in the Okinawan middle schools for physical education in 1902, Matsumura's family karate methods remained in the family, where the self-defence nature and emphasis remained consistent throughout the decades..