Harris Martial Arts, Member of the Japan Karate-do Organization. The only true traditional Japanese Karate school in Elizabethtown Kentucky.

Sensei John Harris, 5th Dan Shito-Ryu Karate-do

The president and founder of Harris Martial Arts, practitioner of the Martial Arts since 1975, Sensei Harris was born in what used to be West Germany in 1957. Being the son of a Military father, Sensei Harris has traveled a great deal. Graduating from Fort Knox High School in 1975, Sensei Harris turned to his Karate (Shoto-Kan) training to occupy his time. As in all military area's things come and go, So went Sensei's Karate school.

Having trained for five years in Shoto-Kan only to have the school dissolve, Sensei turned to Tae Kwon Do. Not enjoying his stay in Tae Kwon Do Sensei did not train continuously in the art. In 1986, Sensei's former wife rushed home from her job to tell him that a real Karate school was opening in Radcliff KY. This began Sensei's love affair with Shito-Ryu Karate.

Sensei Harris' Shito-Ryu education first came from the island of Hawaii. Sensei Chuzo Kotaka eighth dan, is one of the finest Shito-Ryu instructors in the world. Although Sensei Harris never studied directly under Kotaka Sensei the education was strictly Kotaka-Ha. Sensei Harris has since traveled to Hawaii in 1995 in an attempt to further his education. Training at the main Honolulu Dojo for a couple of days Sensei and a couple of his students brought back valuable information on Kata, Kobudo and Kumite.

Currently Sensei Harris trains under the tutelage of world renowned 8th Dan Hanshi Minobu Miki. Sensei Harris has been training with Hanshi Miki since 1997 and was promoted to and holds the authentic rank of 5th Dan Shito-Ryu Karate -Do from the Japan Karate-Do Organization and Hanshi Minobu Miki in 2002. Sensei Harris has also received membership into the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai referred by Hanshi William Dometrich. Sensei Harris is also registered with Dragon Times. Just type sensei's name in the search box, John Harris.

Sensei holds no other rank from any other organization. Sensei Harris has been offered high rank from other organizations but has refused such rank. Too many times many people with dubious qualifications attempt to use the title of Soke and or Grandmaster. These titles, especially here in the west, can be bought. Sensei Harris has received numerous offers to be inducted into halls of fame for a fee. Sensei Harris believes that inflated rank does not grant one superior knowledge in karate-do. "Rank does not equal knowledge, Knowledge equals rank."

Sensei Harris holds authentic rank in Shito-Ryu karate-do. Sensei's rank is from true authentic Japanese masters who received their rank from authentic grandmasters. Because of Sensei Harris' stead fast adherence to his ethics sensei Harris has produced over fifty (50) national and world champions. Schools with dubious credentials have trouble producing one.

Sensei has since formed the largest AAU schools in the state of Kentucky. Sensei Harris is also a rated referee on the national level. Sensei's rank is certified by the original linage of Shito-Ryu Karate-do.

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Copyright © 2007 Harris Martial Arts, LLC.
Last modified: 08/01/08