Featured School

Interview with Sensei Glenn Raus of Japan Karate Institute Daniel Island

1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making?

I started the Japan Karate Institute Daniel Island dojo in October of 2003 with the blessing of Shihan Dale Coker (7th dan, founder and chief instructor of Japan Karate Institute). It all started with a conversation on my front porch with my brother. When he asked me what my career goals were I told him that one day I would like to own and operate my own dojo. He simply looked at me and asked, “Why wait?” From that moment on I started working on putting together the JKI Daniel Island dojo. On October 2, 2003 we held our first class with 6 students. In a little more than 6 months, the student base had grown to 75 students. In October of 2004 I quit my job at a software company and started teaching karate full-time.

Japan Karate Institute is affiliated with Japan International Karate Centers, founded by Kiyohisa Hirano in the early 1960s and headquartered in Honolulu, HI. We can trace our lineage directly back to the founder of Wado Ryu, O’Sensei Hironori Ohtsuka. Hirano was a student of Ohtsuka’s and accompanied him on a trip to Hawaii in 1960. Hirano was so impressed with Hawaii that he soon moved from Japan to Honolulu and with the blessing of Ohtsuka started Japan International Karate Centers. It wasn’t long before Shihan Ronald Woodard began training under Hirano. In time, Woodard moved back to his native Alabama and opened his own JIKC dojo. In the early 1970’s Dale Coker began Wado Ryu training under Woodard. In the 1980s, Coker opened Nippon Kokusai in his native Charleston, SC. He eventually sold these dojos to his senior students while in the midst of a personal tragedy, the passing of his young daughter. In the early 1990s, Coker returned to Charleston and opened the current Japan Karate Institute. JKI boasts 4 dojos in the Charleston area: West Ashley, North Charleston, Moncks Corner and Daniel Island. There are also Japan Karate Institutes in Winston-Salem, NC and Chaing Mai Thailand. In 2003, the Sensei Ronald Woodard announced a rebirth of JIKC/JKI by changing the name of our style to Heiwado Ryu; in honor of the personal stamp put on our karate by Kiyohisa Hirano. Shihan Hirano was promoted to Soke while Sensei Woodard was promoted to Shihan. In 2009, Sensei Dale Coker was awarded his 7th degree black belt and promoted to the title Shihan as well. Personally, I started my Heiwado Ryu training in 1999 at the JKI West Ashley dojo under the tutelage of Shihan Dale Coker and Sensei David Mitchell (4th Dan). I graduated from the JKI Instructors Academy in 2002 and earned my Shodan in December of 2003. In 2004 I was awarded the title of Sensei. I achieved my Nidan in June of 2007. I also hold the rank of Shodan in the American Pressure Point Self Defense System from the National Institute of Pressure Point Arts, headquartered in Massachusetts and founded by Master Robert Moran (8th Dan).

2. What forms of Japanese martial arts do you teach in your school? Can you please share with us the history behind them?

We teach Heiwado Ryu/Wado ryu karate at Japan Karate Institute. We also teach Master Robert Moran’s American Pressure Point Self Defense System. The Daniel Island dojo offers Aikido classes as well. These classes are taught by Sensei Max Sherman and are AAA sanctioned. The North Charleston dojo offers Kubudo (weapons) training.

3. What are the principles and concepts that you uphold and try to instill in your students?

The purpose of Japan Karate Institute training is: “Not to conquer others but to conquer the weakness within oneself.” We also teach our students to live by 5 simple precepts:

1. Uphold the principals of propriety and courtesy
2. Cultivate the spirit of effort
3. Perfect a mind of patience
4. Live the way of truth
5. Do not lose self-control or act in a violent manner

4. Why do you think it is important for people to learn martial arts?

One of the things that got me involved in karate and the aspect that was initially the most intriguing was the long-term goals that martial arts offer. I think too many people go through life with no purpose or aim. Our society promotes instant gratification and revolves around the quick and disposable. Martial arts go against the grain of modern society and opens one to the time tested values of hard work, perseverance, patience and humbleness.

5. What difficulties and obstacles have you encountered so far with regards to teaching martial arts and how did you overcome them?

The biggest obstacle in teaching is how quickly many, many students lose heart and quit. The most bothersome is the younger students who clearly are benefiting from their training, but as soon as it requires even a little hard work and perseverance, the parents crumble under the request of the child to quit and take the easy path. It’s not my job to tell a parent how to raise their child, but I wish more parents would realize that it is their job to help the child continue with the things in life that have moral value and benefit. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In this day and age of MMA and UFC promoting “ground and pound” and marketing the violent aspects of martial arts it is harder and harder to convince adults that true martial arts are not about fighting but about avoidance of conflict through humbleness and self confidence. The true martial artist prays that there never comes a day where our training is called into action.

6. What advice and/or insights can you share with our readers who want to pursue their interest in the Japanese form of martial arts?

Be true to your art, stick with it, and try to make it a way of life. Keep and open mind and an open heart and martial arts training can take you to places you never thought were possible. Strive for humbleness throughout your training!

7. Can you give a short biography of your instructor(s)?

Sensei Glenn Raus

Birthday: April 4, 1966
College: The Pennsylvania State University, Juniata College
Degree: Secondary Education/ History
Rank: 2nd Dan, Wado Ryu, 1st Dan National Institute of Pressure Point Arts
Certifications: Instructor: Japan Karate Institute, National Institute of Pressure Point Arts
Outside Interests: Triathlons & Playing Guitar
Favorite Quote: “The difference between the possible and the impossible lies in one’s will” – Hironori Ohtsuka, founder of Wado Ryu Karate

Sensei Christopher Donahue

Birthday: September 2, 1976
College: Clemson University
Degree: BS Psychology
Rank: 1st Dan
Certifications: Instructor: Japan Karate Institute
Outside Interests: Hockey, Playing Guitar
Favorite Quote: “Do or do not, there is no try!” – Yoda

Sempai Brian Edens

Birthday: December 11, 1975
School: Cornerstone Christian
Rank: 1st Kyu
Certifications: Instructor: Japan Karate Institute
Outside Interests: Football, Art & Music
Favorite Quote: “Always Believe”

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