Mensore!
Welcome to Imperial Crane Martial Arts (ICMA)!
The image above is of Akamine Yoshimatsu Sensei's shomen or "front" of the dojo in Okinawa, Japan.
We study Okinawa Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Karatedo & Kobujutsu as founded by Soken Hohan Sensei. We practice traditional kata or forms and weaponry with an emphasis on practical self-defense applications. We do not practice tournament karate and point sparring.
We generally accept students from the ages of 16 and older including both male and female. We typically do not teach younger than 16 due to the rigorous and mature training regime.
Our ICMA school is a licensed dojo of Akamine Sensei of Haebaru, Okinawa, Japan. His organization is officially named the Okinawa Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Karatedo Hozon Kai or just Hozon Kai for short. Akamine Sensei was a former student of our style's founder, Soken Hohan Sensei, for 22 years before Soken Sensei's untimely death in 1982. Akamine Sensei still teaches students in his home in Okinawa, Japan.
The founder of the Imperial Crane Martial Arts dojo and Senior Black Belt Instructor is Paul A. Sabota Sensei who has over 20 years of experience in Okinawa Shorin Ryu karatedo & kobujutsu. Sabota holds a Kiyoshi certificate or teaching license from Akamine Sensei to instruct students in his style of Okinawan martial arts.
Our Assistant Black Belt Instructor is Kevin Boyd who has been training with Sabota Sensei since 2003. Kevin also holds a Black Belt ranking in the art of Japanese Shotokan karatedo.
Join us at the dojo in Linthicum, Maryland on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. We also practice on occasional Saturday mornings from 10 am - noon.
