Our lineage
A living tradition of Okinawan karate
The Virginia Dojo is part of the Beikoku Shidokan lineage, passed from teacher to teacher through disciplined practice.
The line of instruction
- Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura
- Anko Itosu
- Shinpan Gusukuma
- Chosin Chibana
- Katsuya Miyahira
- Seikichi Iha
- Robert “Roberto” Curtis
- Your own practice begins here
Shidokan
Katsuya Miyahira opened his Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate dojo in 1948 and named it Shidokan. The name has been read as Warrior Path/Way Place, Right Path/Way Place, Heart Path/Way Place, or Gentleman’s Path/Way Place.
Grand Master Seikichi Iha
Seikichi Iha began training with Shinpan Gusukuma in 1950 and later studied at the Shidokan dojo with Katsuya Miyahira. After moving to Lansing, Michigan, he established the Original Okinawa Karate Dojo and his students went on to create dojos across the United States and beyond. In 2001, after receiving his 10th Degree, he named his association Beikoku Shidokan, American Shidokan.
The Virginia Dojo
Roberto Curtis began martial arts in 1969 and began training with Sensei Iha in 1979. He became a 9th Dan, Hanshi, in 2022 and continues the adult-focused self-defense work he learned through decades of study and teaching.
