The Kyoshi Kai page is a list of the Kensankai Association senior instructors along with a brief bio. The Kyoshi are responsible for leading and guiding the Karateka in the association and maintaining the core values of the association. With years of training and dedication to the highest principles of Okinawa Karate, they stand as the guide post in the association for others to follow.
R. Christian Estes, M.D., F.A.A.O.S.
Hanshi, Kudan
Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karatedo Kobudo Kensankai
Started training in Shorin Ryu Karate/Kobudo under Sensei Mike Arnold, Shobayashi Ryu in 1973. Learned the Basics of Karate-do & Kobudo.
In 1974 changed over to Shorin Ryu Shorinkan under Kyoshi Sid Campbell, Oakland, California. He opened the first Shorinkan Dojo in the United States after discharge from the Navy, and is responsible for Kyoshi Estes’ Intermediate level of training. I had the great honor of meeting Hanshi Perry at a Shorin Ryu Shorinkan sponsored camp. I knew I had found the person that could guide me into the advance levels of training. I moved to Hendersonville, N.C., in 1991 to train under the Hanshi Perry and continue to do so, getting closer everyday to my objective to learn the higher levels of Karate & Kobudo.
Kyoshi Jerry Taylor
Training History
1970 – 1978: Received lower kyu ranks in Chinese Kenpo, Taekwondo, Shotokan and Pai Lum Kung Fu. 1978 – 1988: Received 3rd in Shobayashi Shorin-Ryu From Hanshi Eizo Shimabukuro.
2010 – Current: Received 8th Dan From Hanshi Doug Perry
Kyoshi Kevin Roberts
Hanshi, Kudan
Kevin Roberts was first introduced to Karate in 1969. Since that time, it has been a lifelong pursuit. While in the US Navy from 1975 to 1981 he trained in a number of martial disciplines including Karate, Jiu Jitsu, Taekwondo, Boxing and Kickboxing.
After 9 years wearing a white obi, Jason was promoted to rokkyu (Green Belt) in Quantico, Virginia at the age of 11. At that time, Hanshi Perry was stationed at the Marine Corps Base there where he trained again with karate ka of all origins and styles. John Correa sensei (Uechi Ryu) presented presented Perry his green obi. In 1981, Jason moved to Hendersonville, NC when his father retired from the Marine Corps. He helped his dad teach classes at the Hendersonville YMCA being promoted to the rank of sankyu (brown belt) in 1982. During this time, Jason began to compete regularly in tournaments throughout the southeastern United States winning multiple state, region and national level events in weapons, kata and kumite. As Hanshi Perry’s senior student, Jason taught classes regularly at the Atha Plaza dojo where Hanshi Perry still teaches. There Jason helped develop the dedicated students who continue to train with his father today. He was promoted to Shodan in 1985 at the age of 15 after twelve years of karate experience. Kyoshi Kevin Roberts participated in the promotion ceremony. After graduating from high school in 1987, Jason served a two-year mission in the Chubu Region (Nagoya) of Japan for his church. During this time, he became fluent in Japanese. Upon returning to the United States he resumed his studies at Brigham Young University graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Japanese. Jason was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 1996. After deploying to the Arabian Gulf in 1996 and 1998 as a platoon commander, Jason moved to Yokohama, Japan where he conducted advanced Japanese language studies. In 2002 and 2003 he deployed as a company commander to Okinawa where he trained for one year as a guest student of Hanshi Eizo Shimabukuro (Shobayashiryu). Jason’s relationship with Japan and Karate continued when he was transferred to the Pentagon where he served as the Japan Director in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. During this time, he made multiple trips to Japan and Okinawa where he trained in Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato’s dojo and served as an interpreter for his father. After his Pentagon tour, Jason deployed to Al Anbar, Iraq as an infantry battalion executive officer in 2009. In 2010, he deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan as a Regimental Combat Team operations officer. In 2012, he deployed to combat yet again as the commanding officer of Second Battalion, Fifth Marines. Jason is a Black Belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and has continued to train in Okinawan Shorin Ryu while teaching his 4 children in the same manner he was taught as a child. While Karate is primarily an individual endeavor, Jason cherishes his relationship with the many good people from across the world of martial arts who have influenced him as a person and a warrior.
Kyoshi Jason Perry
Perry sensei has no recollection of starting karate training. He began learning the basics at the age of 3 from his father Doug Perry. The dojo was the driveway or the backyard or the garage depending on where the Perry family lived.
Jason’s first memories of serious karate training are of a small nondescript building on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina when he was about 5 years old. The dojo was the gathering place for martial arts practitioners of several styles and schools. There he continued to train under the tutelage of his father and with respected karate ka such as Bill Hayes sensei (Shobayashi Ryu) and Jeff Hobaugh (Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan). He also began to participate in karate demonstrations on base and in the community during this time.
Kyoshi Paul Kline
Paul Kline started his karate journey at the local Jackson, Michigan YMCA in February 1970 under Walter Knox, when he was 17. Knox had received his black belt during his military service and had spent time in Vietnam. Paul trained with him for around one year and achieved the rank of green belt. After Knox closed the school Paul went 6 months before finding his second instructor in Jackson, Roger Pratt. Pratt was under Tadashi Yamashita at the time and after about two years Paul earned the rank of brown belt. The school then went under Ernest Estrada from Grand Rapids, Michigan around August 1973; he was under Nakazato Sensei. Paul continued training with them and received his Shodan on September 3rd, 1975. Paul trained with Roger for three more years until he closed his school. Paul trained alone for approximately six months but stopped until 1983 when he began formal training again at Jim Webb’s school. Mr. Webb and Paul had started their training under Walter Knox around the same time in 1970 and also trained together at Roger Pratt’s. He helped Paul get back into training. Jim was under Toby Heberly who at the time was under Nakazato Sensei. Paul made the rank of Nidan on March 7th 1987, his Sandan on September 17th, 1988 and his Yodan on June 3rd, 1989 when Nakazato Sensei came to the US to visit and do a seminar. Paul and Jim then had a parting with Toby Heberly and went under Frank Hargrove in 1992. They trained with Mr. Hargrove for a while and Paul received his Godan on July 3rd, 1993. In the fall of 1994, Paul and Jim found Sensei Perry. Paul made his first trip to Okinawa in 1997 and then again in 1999, 2004 and 2006. He earned the rank of Rokudan on March 1st, 1999 and also the Kobudo rank of Yodan. Paul then received the rank of Kyoshi 7th Dan on January 1st, 2010 from Sensei Perry. Paul has trained under Sensei Perry for many years now and has learned more about Karate and Kobudo than in all the previous years. Once he started to go to Sensei’s summer camps in 1996 he never missed once and frequently visits his dojo.
Kyoshi Thomas M. Harris
Sensei Harris was born in 1954 in Irumagawa, Japan. The son of an Air Force fighter pilot, Tom was the third of six children. Growing up, they traveled around the world as his father’s military service required. Tom’s first contact with Karate was as a very young man in Las Vegas in the 60’s.
Tom visited a Shorin-ryu Karate Dojo, after hearing an advertisement, and it just so happened a class was getting ready to begin. A young instructor named CD Williamson greeted him and got him into a Gi and on the floor. This was a major eye opener for Sensei Harris who often recalls that he thought he was going to die after the first 30 minutes. By the time class was over he had signed up for Shorin-ryu Karate and his journey had started. He attended class almost every day the Dojo was open for over three years. Sensei Harris has always been thankful for the strong training that made up his association and tutelage under Kyoshi Williamson who was the first major influence in his early years of training and remains today his close and respected friend.
Over the years Sensei Harris has made the most of his many opportunities to study with Hanshi Nakazato and the other Okinawan Shorinkan Sensei when they journeyed to the United States. He received his Shodan and Nidan certificates directly from Nakazato Sensei. The Okinawan Sensei’s great spirit and kindness had made for many fond memories.
Sensei Harris has also trained in Iaido and Kenjuitsu, receiving his Shodan in Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido. Tom’s training in these Martial Arts afforded him some great insights into the martial mind, etiquette and character that flow through the core of all the Martial Arts. Along with the study of Zen, these paths of training and study have greatly helped to create a deeper understanding that is intrinsic to realizing the breadth and depth of the study of Martial endeavors.
In the early 80’s Tom had a chance to meet Sensei Doug Perry at a camp being held in Virginia. He was immediately impressed by the Karate he observed. Sensei Perry and his student’s martial arts strength and abilities appeared to demonstrate something that Tom had always imagined his Karate should be. Sensei Perry personified the essence of martial character and his innate skills appeared to define the inevitable next step for Tom’s journey. Hanshi Perry has, for many years now, afforded Sensei Harris the opportunity to study in his Dojo and shared his friendship and knowledge without limitation. Sensei Harris has often asserted that he hopes someday to understand half of what his Sensei tries to teach him.
This association has also allowed Tom great opportunities to expand his understanding and skills by meeting and studying the knowledge of so many other Karateka both in and out of the Shorin-ryu system. A favorite of Sensei Harris has been attending Hanshi Bill Hayes’s seminars that have educated so many interested students in the concepts and culture that make up the foundation of all Okinawan Karate. The opportunity to attend classes with the late Hanshi Jim Logue and his teacher Taika Oyata of the Ryu Te system have demonstrated the subtle differences and even more the similarities of all Okinawa Karate. One of the most prolific opportunities of this journey, for Sensei Harris, has been and always will be the friendships and privilege to study with his seniors and peers at the Hendersonville Kensankai Dojo.
As an Instructor, Sensei Harris has enjoyed the opportunity to help students better themselves through training in Shorin-ryu Karate Do for over 30 years and in turn, he says, “They have had plenty of opportunities to teach me also”. He is always insistent that it is imperative to pass on our Karate to our students in the best manner possible so they may learn all of the advantages including physical, spiritual, self discipline, self defense, confidence and the self realization that come through their in-depth study. Kyoshi Harris stated “There is always the hope that one day you will find those few dedicated students that will continue the teaching to the next generation of karateka”. Sensei Harris opened the Small Forest Karate and Kobudo Dojo in Poquoson, Virginia in January of 2011. The Dojo is dedicated to the study of Shorinryu Kensankai Karate Do and Kobudo.
“Karate is a life long journey that weaves its way into all aspects of ones life. To strive to develop noble character and live life in concert with all mankind is no small endeavor. Every true Karateka understands this journey and strives daily, with fortitude and determination, to maintain the high principals that define our way!” Kyoshi Thomas Harris
Kyoshi Patsy Callahan
Sensei Callahan has been training karate for over 40 years. She was born and raised in Miami, FL in a tough neighborhood where there were many opportunities to develop her fighting spirit. Karate has given her the focus and control to use that spirit to stay physically strong and to build depth of character. The reasons she studied karate through the years has changed as her life has changed. Initially, it was to stay in shape. Patsy started studying with Joe Strickland in Florence, SC at the age of 22. Growing up, she was never drawn to the typical girl activities and this type of “exercise” really appealed to her – especially the kumite or fighting portion.
Life then took her to Johnson City, TN where she earned her black belt in Isshin-ryu Karate studying with Curt Maylar. The primary focus in that dojo was kumite where she developed some useful fighting skills but learned very little kata (forms) and no weapons. Sensei Callahan’s training there was spent competing in tournament after tournament in kumite only. At that time, karate gave her an outlet for her competitiveness.
It was at one of those tournaments that Sensei Perry, whom she had never met, walked up to her after a round of kumite where she wasn’t at her best and said, “You’ll never win a fight by backing up.” From that moment her life took a different trajectory. Kyoshi Callahan stated “He and his students had always caught my eye with their kata and weapons – especially the weapons. He had knowledge I wanted and I needed to figure out a way to get it. It was at this point I began to study karate for my own growth”.
For a few years she drove two hours, twice a week, to Sensei Perry’s dojo to learn kata and weapons. Eventually Sensei Callahan moved her family to Hendersonville, NC to train with Sensei Perry exclusively. She says “It was one of the best decisions I ever made”.
Sensei Callahan has won many trophies and gold medals through the years. She received her 7th degree black belt under Hanshi Perry. Kyoshi Callahan recently opened her own dojo and is excited to share her love of karate with all those who are interested. The reason she trains these days is primarily because of her love to pass on to children the lessons that karate and Sensei Perry has given to her; lessons of confidence, responsibility and respect.
Sensei Callahan says, “I also want to nurture the kids competitive side. I believe competition and learning how to manage success and failure on a smaller scale can help build important life skills as children grow. My greatest hope is to be a role model by passing along the lessons I have learned from this way of life in compassion and dedication”.
Kyoshi Gene Corbo
Sensei Corbo started his Karate training in 1973 Under Sensei Van Lenten and Sensei Jerry Thompson. He later trained under Sensei Roger Wehrhahn and received his Shodan in Goju Ryu. Still training under Sensei Wehrhahn he achieved the rank of Sandan. During the late ‘70s he continued his training in Goju Ryu but expanded his training to receive a Shodan in Tae Kwon Do. In 1982 he began his training in Shorin Ryu Shorinkan under Sensei Bob Herten. While training under Sensei Herten he achieved the rank of Godan. Sensei Gene Corbo also tr ained under Seikichi Iha, Hanshi, 10th Dan and received the rank of Godan. To further his knowledge of Martial Arts Sensei Gene Carbo began training in JuJitsu with the DePasquale Family. In 1997 Sensei Gene Corbo became a student Doug Perry, Hanshi, 9th Dan. He continues his training in Shorin Ryu Shorinkan directly under Hanshi Perry and has achieved the rank of Nanadan. Sensei Gene Corbo has traveled to many schools and camps to continually gain more knowledge of Martial Arts.