Cincinnati Shotokan Karate-do
Chief Instructor
Our Chief Instructor is Dwight Holley, Kyoshi grade ranked as a 7th Dan Black Belt from Japan. A certified member of the DNBK, a Shihankai board member of the ISKK and Cheif Instructor and Chairman of Karate of Japan Federation. Having started his karate training in 1965 he has studied in the Philippines and Higashi Fuchu Japan. Studying in both countries under the JKA and other dojos has lived between both countrys nearly 4 yrs. Practiced karate-do on an average of 5-6 hours a day 6 days a week while there. Training was so intense that Holley Sensei returned to the US in 1977 with the rank of 5th Dan in Karate-do and Ryukyu Kobudo. Promoted to 6th Dan in 1990 under Katsumi Niikura,Seiko Shihan of the Ryokukai Karate Kyokai and to 7th Dan in 2000 he is Niikura Sensei's highest ranking Karate student worldwide.
Holley Sensei has gone to Japan with his sensei to teach and demonstrate Karate-do in Narita City, Tokyo and Kyoto Cities several times and also assist Seiko Shihan in teaching how to use "Ki Energy" for the purpose of healing and good health. In the last 5 years Holley Sensei has been to Japan about 4 times demonstrating Shotokan Karate-do in front of members and representatives of the Imperial Family of Japan, the United Nations with ten students, government officials and senior Budo masters of several Japanese classical Martial Arts.
Currently at the age of 55 he still teaches, trains and continues to study Karate-do as he did when just a white belt. Teaching virtually every class he encouages and stretches his students imagination in understanding the techniques of karate-do. Not happy with the politics and egos of many associations he founded and formed a non-political federation to give a home to those who wish only to practice and study the art of karate-do with freedom and no constraints on where you train. The only purpose is to simply be practicing traditional style Japanese/Okinawan Karate-do. Coming from nearly 20 yrs of competition experience winning or placing in over 170 tournaments he does not spend useless time in the dojo promoting how to win in competition rather time is spent on developing your individual skill and knowledge of the art and becoming a winner in life instead, as this is where it really matters.
He has been awarded many certificates of accomplishment and study even being promoted to 8th Dan black belt by two outside associations of martial arts. In his words if it does not come from his direct affiliations with Japan then he prefers not to claim such high ranks. It is an honor but not earned. He continually teaches that "the belt should not make the man as it is nothing without the man!" "...The belt has no value other than the cost to buy it.....in truth it is the person who wears the belt that gives it the true value!" In the words of one of his mentors and close friends in Karate-do.."karate is an Endless Quest..." William Dometrich, Hanshi, 9th Dan Karate-do, Dai Nippon Butokukai.
Holley Sensei currently runs the CSK Dojo and the Karate of Japan Federation with the help of his senior black belts and his wife and assistant of 32 yrs, Julie Holley, affectionately in the association referred to as "Okusan."
Please feel free to stop in the dojo and speak to both Holley sensei personally and "Okusan" five days a week and watch a class or two.