Karate
Japanese Karate Do
Learn Karate Do & Budo, “The way of the Samurai”, in the authentic Japanese manner.
For many practitioners, Karate is a deeply philosophical practice. Karate teaches ethical principles and can have spiritual significance to its adherents.
Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands (karate chop). Grappling, locks, restraints, throws, and vital point strikes are taught in some styles.
Today karate is practiced for self-perfection, for cultural reasons, for self-defense and as a sport.
About the Instructor:
Shihan Jim Thomas, Hanshi, Head Karate Instructor
Master Instructor (Shihan), James B. Thomas, Jr. is an 8th degree black belt in Karate Do. He is also a 4th degree blackbelt in Tomiki Aikido and is the founder and head instructor of The Fudo Ren Ma Dojo.
Shihan Thomas began studying Nippon Kenpo Karate in 1964. He obtained his 4th degree black belt in Nippon Kenpo in 1974. He began teaching at the Metropolitan Boys Club in 1967. He also taught Nippon Kenpo for twenty years at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington DC. After he moved to Columbia, Maryland he began teaching there in 1986, at the request of a student who had originally trained with him at NRL.
Concurrent with his teaching, Shihan Thomas continued to receive instruction and improve his own technique under the instruction of Dr. Hiroyuki Hamada, Hanshi,Vice Ppresident of the Board Of Directors and Chair of the International and USA Division of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DBNK), a prestigious Japanese organization representing many different martial disciplines in Japan and throughout the world. Dr. Hamada is the official martial artist in residence and an instructor at the Old Dominion University in Virginia.
In 1999 Shihan Thomas earned an 8th degree black belt from Dr. Hamada, making him one of the highest ranking individuals in the USA Division of DBNK.
Shihan Thomas also holds a 4th degree black belt in Tomiki Aikido and has two years experience in Kenjitsu (Japanese sword art).
Shihan Thomas was granted the Title Hanshi in 2006.
Shihan Thomas has on numerous occasions traveled to Japan, Okinawa and the United Kingdom to represent the DNBK in various martial arts events.
Currently Shihan Thomas is the head instructor of the Fudo Ren Ma Dojo, Catonsville, Maryland and an advisor and assistant instructor of the Nippon Kenpo Karate Club at the Benning Stoddart Rec. center in Washington D.C.
Shihan Thomas is a dedicated martial artist whose interest is in development of the entire person through the practice of the martial arts.
Link to Dai Nippon Butoku Kai
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