Shorin Ryu Karate

International Karate League is a modified Shorin Ryu Karate developed by our Shihan and founder Walter K Nishioka.  Founded in1963 in Hawaii the IKL is a traditional school based on Shorin Ryu and infused with Nishioka's training in Judo, Aikido, White Crane Gung Fu and his experience as a self defense trainer for the Air Force during the Korean war. Kobudo stays dedicated to Shihan's training and is focussed on the martial aspects of the art without any sport karate influence.  You can go to the main website and see a detailed history of the school and Shihan.  Training has been on hold since the pandemic, please contact me directly at 801-688-1114 or dave@kobudodojo.com.  My training is currently restricted to adults (18 or older). For those younger we have classes held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings taught by Hing Sensei, details can be found here. 

Kogen Itto Ryu Sakurai- Ha Kendo

Sakurai Ha is a pre war Kendo encompassing the use of live blade Iaido, Kata from both Ono-Ha and Kogen Itto Ryu as well as Shinai and Bokken Keiko. Sakurai-Ha Kendo, particularly in my dojo has no sporting emphasis. It's intense requiring dedication to the long term, and only available to dedicated adult students.  My sensei and current Soke David Diguangko is based in Ogden and is the last remaining student of Sadao Kotaka actively teaching and passing on Kotaka's Kendo. Classes are held in Ogden on Tuesday evenings here.  Kotaka's history as well as the system is covered well in a book written by one of his first students; titled "Modern Day Samurai : Kotaka Sukesaburo Minamoto-no Sadayasu Sadao - An Appreciation and History of his Kenjutsu Style." It is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  Kendo training is by appointment only at this time.  Please contact me at 801-688-1114 (leave a message) or dave@kobudodojo.com    

Bahde Sensei

I started my Martial Arts career in 1972 at the age of twelve training at a local Karate school in El Centro California.  After moving to Escondido my training continuied at what was then the Escondido Karate Club, an American Tae Kwon Do affiliated dojang. At the same time I trained with a local Aikijutsu instructor that held classes after school at Escondido High School.  In 1977 I moved to Bishop California for a short period of time and continued training with a local ATA black belt until moving to Salt Lake City in 1978.  After looking around I landed at the YMCA and began training with Harris Sensei, initially in Tang Soo Do.   Harris Sensei trained with Jeong Sook Lee while attending Idaho State and much of what we did came from that training. He also held black belts in Kodokan Judo and had extensive training in Aikido and Shotokan Karate.  We eventually moved towards Shotokan as a school until he left the area in 1985 and I began my training with what was the Statewide Karate League under Shihan Walter Nishioka.   The SKL later became the International Karate League and is the system I curenttly teach and hold the rank of Rokudan (6th Degree). Along the way I trained with several Aikido For a few years in the 1980's I traveled to Phoenix training in Araki Ryu Iaido under Corrella Sensei.  I later rekindled my passion for Kendo in 2008 when I started training with Diguancko Sensei in  Sakurai - Ha Kogen Itto Ryu Kendo attaining my current rank of Yondan. Over the years I have attended several seminars including Kogen Itto Ryu Kendo, Nito Ryu Kendo, and Aikido along with training a Middle Heavy weight PKA champion and a period of full contact training in Ashihara Karate.  This varied background has always influenced my training to include aspects of various martial arts in what I practice and train, many of which were put to good use in a 30 year police carrer.  While both my IKL Karate and Sakurai Ha Kendo remain very traditional, they include concepts and pratices that have proven effective over centuries in various martial arts.  

Traditional Martial Arts

Shorin Ryu Karate

Kogen Itto Ryu Sakurai- Ha Kendo