2007 Ogasawara-Ha Shorinji-Ryu Karate-Do National Shiai

Local instructor (Dojo Cho)

Teaching at the Kaikan Dojo is led by Jarret Cooper, a Godan (5th degree Black Belt) in Ogasawara-Ha Shorinji-Ryu Karatedo and Yuishinkai Kobudo (photo above, last on right).  With 20 years of martial arts experience, he also has collateral training and rank in several additional arts, including Tai Chi, Goju-Ryu Karate, Okinawan Kobudo, Aikido, and Iaido.

As an experienced instructor, each class is “tuned” to the needs of the individuals and the overall group.  In 2006, Cooper Sensei was awarded Teacher of the Year by Ogasawara-Ha Shorinji-Ryu Karatedo.  His teachers in Ogasawara-Ha Shorinji-Ryu Karatedo are Sensei Wayne Van Horne – Rokudan (6th degree Black Belt, Yamakan Dojo), Sensei Brad Cahoon - Rokudan (6th degree Black Belt, Budokai Dojo), and Sensei Thomas Cauley - Hachidan (8th degree Black Belt, Isshinkaikan).

Classes are taught by Cooper Sensei under the supervision and permission of Thomas Cauley, the Chief International Director of Ogasawara-Ha Shorinji-Ryu Karatedo.  Kaikan members also have the opportunity to regularly participate in seminars and advanced training several times per year under Cauley Sensei and with other schools across the United States.

Chief International Director

The head instructor of Ogasawara-Ha (Sakugawa Koshiki) Shorinji-Ryu Karatedo in the United States and other countries outside Japan is Thomas Cauley, Hachidan (8th degree), based in Selmer, Tennessee (photo above, center).  Cauley Sensei was appointed to his current position of Director of the International Division of Shorinji-Ryu after seventeen years of resident training in Japan.  During that time he trained under high ranking teachers including past Headmasters of Shorinji-Ryu Tokushiro Ogasawara, 10th Dan, and Masanao Yamazaki.

Cauley Kyoshi has trained in karatedo since 1957, including four tours in Japan.  He is one of the most knowledgeable and highly trained of American Karate teachers.  As well, he is one of the few Americans to attain the high rank of Hachidan in Karatedo from Japan.

The rankings of Kaikan members are recognized by the Zen Tohoku Karatedo Kempo Kumiai (All Northern Japan Karatedo and Kempo Union), a kaiha of the Japan Karatedo Federation.