CLASSES

Richmond School of Karate Programs & Classes

Training at the Richmond School of Karate is based on the student attending class 2-3 times per week. Different color belts are earned as the student progresses toward their black belt. There is no additional charge for any under belt tests(yellow through brown) as the under belt testing is included in the student's basic tuition. Also included in the basic tuition package is advanced training classes for upper belts and escrima(Filipino stick fighting). Okinawan weapons classes are available at a small additional charge for those students who are interested in learning bo, sai, kama, nunchaku, and tonfa. All classes are age specific so that the student can learn at the appropriate level.

Available Class Options

Kids

Little Tigers (Ages: 4, 5, 6)

Beginner Kids (Ages: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)

Advanced Kids (Ages: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 • Green Belt & Up)

Teens/Adults

Beginner Teens (Ages: 12, 13, 14, 15)

Beginner Adults (Ages 16 & Up)

Advanced Adults (Ages 16 & Up • Green Belt & Above)

Okinawan Weapons

Training with various Okinawan martial arts Weapons

American Escrima

Filipino stick fighting

Kami Bushi Do

Kami Bushi Do is an integrated martial art that utilizes techniques and methods from several different styles. Kami Bushi Do translates as "Divine Warrior Way". Kami Bushi Do is a branch of the original Kami Bushi Kai art. Kami Bushi Kai was founded by David Okawa Baize in 1981 after many years of cross training in Western Boxing, Tae Kwon Do, Kempo, Aiki-jujitsu, and Shotokan Karate. In 1998 Shihan Baize promoted Dan McCaslin to the rank of Hachidan-8th degree black belt and appointed him to head the Kami Bushi Do branch. Shihan Baize also promoted Jim Long of Florida to Hachidan-8th degree black belt and appointed him to head the Kami Bushi Jutsu branch of the Kami Bushi arts.

In April 2006 Soke Baize appointed Dan McCaslin as Soke-Dai. In July 2010 Soke-Dai McCaslin formally resigned from the United Bujutsu Federation to form a new martial arts association. The new organization is San Yama Bujutsu Renmei which means Three Mountains Martial Arts Federation. The new organization is meant to be an alliance of like-minded martial artists who can share information on training, business aspects of martial arts and also serve as a certification center for rank examinations.Members with more experience can serve as mentors for martial artists who need advice. The new organization will have divisional heads who will be in charge of a specific style or system. For example someone will head the kempo division,karate division, etc. Members of the new organization can be from percussion styles such as Kempo, Karate, or Tae-Kwon Do, etc.Members can also be from grappling syles such as JiuJitsu, Aikido,Judo, etc. The third category of members is weaponry practice. This category would include Okinawan Weapons, Filipino weapons arts, and also Chinese weapons stylists. Thus these three categories of membership would constitute the "Three Mountains".

Kami Bushi Do is the art that is taught at the Richmond School of Karate under Soke McCaslin's direction. Kami Bushi Do utilizes techniques from several different martial arts including:

Shotokan Karate
Kami Bushi Kai Karate
Kempo
Shorinji ToraKen Do Jujutsu
American Escrima
Okinawan Kobudo

Karate

The art of karate (kara-te), which means empty hand, is commonly believed to have come to Japan from the island of Okinawa, where fighting with weapons was banned for many years. Ancient Okinawan traders visited China's Fukien Province and brought back the martial techniques of China's southern Shaolin temple. The Okinawans developed such an effective self-defense system that many Japanese masters wanted it as their own. It was brought to the Japanese mainland in 1922 and eventually became the best known Japanese martial art. The karate arts of Go-ju Ryu, Wado Ryu,Shotokan Ryu,and Shito Ryu are among the best known karate systems.

The basic techniques of karate include blocking, striking, kicking, and punching. Karate is also known for the practice of kata or pre-arranged forms which allow the student to practice their basic techniques without a partner.Karate students also spar with a partner to gain a better understanding of distance and timing. Many karate dojos also place an emphasis on self defense tactics and skills.

American Escrima

The indigenous martial art of the Phillipines, escrima is sometimes also known as arnis or kali. Escrima utilizes either one or two short sticks ( usually 24-30 inches) and also progresses to empty hand techniques as well. American Escrima was developed by Shihan Dan Howard of Harlan, Ky. with input from Shihan Dan McCaslin. Shihan Howard studied extensively under Grandmaster Remy Presas (Modern Arnis) and also Arcenio Advincula (Kalirongan Largo Mano from Pangasinan province in the Phillipines). American Escrima is not meant to be a stand alone system but is intended to supplement the training of other martial arts such as Kempo, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, etc. Techniques taught include blocking, striking, counter attacks, disarms, locks, and chokes.

Kobudo

Kobudo literally translates as "ancient martial way"and involves practicing with Okinawan weapons such as the bo (staff), sai, kama, tonfa, nunchaku, eaku (boat oar), tekko, and nun-te bo.

Jujutsu

Jujutsu is the combat oriented version of jujitsu. Jujitsu literally translates as gentle technique. This is because it does not require great strength but does require knowledge of leverage and joint manipulation (locking). While it does not require great strength on the part of the defender, it can be devastating to an attacker. The joint locks are usually painful to the attacker and the throws can be very effective. Chokes are also taught to control the attacker. Jujutsu is taught as part of all advanced adult classes at the Richmond School of Karate. The style of jujutsu used is based on a Japanese system which emphasizes stand up techniques. While some ground fighting techniques are taught they are not emphasized as heavily as they are in Brazilian Jujitsu. This is because grappling with an opponent on the ground is not practical on the street. Students are taught to strike groin and eyes, etc. if on the ground and to get back to a standing position as quickly as possible. This is especially important if multiple attackers are involved.

San Yama Bujutsu Renmei

Three Mountains Martial Arts Federation

San Yama Bujutsu Renmei was founded by Soke Dan McCaslin to serve as an organization for like-minded martial artists to be able to share information on training, business aspects of martial arts, and to also serve as headquarters for rank examination and certification. Members may train or teach in one of three categories. The first category is percussion arts such as Kempo, Karate, Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, etc. The second category of members is grappling styles such as JiuJitsu, Judo, Aikido, Brazilian JiuJitsu, etc. The third category of members is weapons stylists such as Okinawan Weapons, Filipino Weapons Arts, Chinese Weapons, etc. These three categories constitute the "Three Mountains". These three mountains are symbolic of the journey of the martial artist to the summit of their particular art. Some schools may teach in more than one of these categories but that is not required for membership. A deep desire to learn and further your knowledge is definitely required for membership.

The Three Mountains Martial Arts Federation has divisional heads who will share input with the director. For example these divisional heads may be Kempo division, Karate division, Jiujitsu division, Okinawan Weapons division etc. New divisions may be added as necessary by vote of the existing divisional heads. These divisional heads can also serve as mentors to other martial artists in their particular specialty.

The director of TMMAF is Soke Dan McCaslin who has over 35 years of martial arts experience. The hombu or headquarters of the organization is the Richmond School of Karate in Richmond, KY.