Mike Minor

I first started training in 1970 while stationed in Vietnam. My first instructor was a Korean Army Captain. During this time I was trained in a Martial Art much different from what is taught here in the States. The techniques were stronger and more focused to disable an attacker. I also trained in the Norfolk Va. area and again here locally and found the system was just not what I had hoped for.

In 1983 I found Taika Seiyu Oyata. I had never seen a man quite so adept at reading someones intentions as him. His technique was smooth, quick and to the point. There was no wasted motion at any time. I recognized what lay before me and jumped in with both feet. So deep did I get into it that I was training up to twenty five hours a week class time and then practicing at home as well. I made assistant instructor while still a blue belt (rokyu), this is usually reserved for someone at (sankyu) brown belt level or above.

I was promoted to Blackbelt (Shodan) in 1986, since that time I have continued to train as hard as I can listening ,watching and learning from Taika Oyata. Learning Taika's technique and theory of hand to hand combat and studying others styles to see how their technique differs from ours takes even more time.

I opened my first school in 1991 in Excelsior Springs Mo. The schools stood on it own with a sizable student population for two years when family problems prompted me to stop teaching for a period of time. Some of those students still train with me today. I reopened in 1994 at our present location in Gladstone. There are many students that show great promise and make me glad that I have continued to train and teach Ryukyu Kempo.

Induction Ceremony

In 1995 I recieved the greatest honor of my Martial Art carreer. I was inducted into the family art of Oyata Shin Shu Ho this is a small Group of long time students that Taika believes will carry on the traditions of his system, by promoting what he considers to be true life protection.

In 1996 I was promoted to Rokudan I continue to train under Taika Oyata learning his ways and ideas on true self defense. I now also learn from my students as well, it is those students, that make me dig deeper in to the art to find answers to their questions and to find correct body movement for each of them.

Ryukyu Kempo is a life long indeavor that continues to mature with each day and each new student.