Tradition
Lineage for JKI of NC
A direct line of instructors who preserved and passed on Wado-Ryu.
Karate-Ka
Current instructors: Sensei Chris Sheaffer, Sensei Mark Fricault, Sensei Ben Dorr.
Sensei Mike Russell (North Carolina)
Sensei Mike earned his Shodan rank under Sensei Jerry Odum, and his Nidan rank under Sensei Dale Coker.
Sensei Dale Coker (South Carolina)
Sensei Dale is the Founder of JKI, and has several schools in South Carolina. If you want to learn more, check out his website at www.japankarate.net.
Shihan Ronald Woodard (Alabama)
Shihan Woodard is a Student of Shihan Hirano. He was the first instructor of Japan International Karate Centers in the continental United States.
Shihan Kiyohisa Hirano, Soke (founder of Heiwa-do, Hawaii)
This is the beginning as far as Heiwa-do (sometimes written as Heiwado and hei-wado ryu) is concerned. There are several sites out there that go into the history of Dr. Kiyohisa Hirano and the origins of Heiwa-do.
Shihan Otsuka Hironori (founder of Wado-Ryu, Japan)
This is the beginning as far as Wado-Ryu is concerned. There are a bazillion sites offering biographical and historical information on Hironori Sensei describing how he blended various parts of several different styles of karate in developing Wado-Ryu.