THE IMPORTANCE OF LINEAGE IN MARTIAL ARTS

When choosing a martial arts school, many people overlook one
of the most critical factors—its lineage. Simply put, lineage
 refers to the unbroken line of succession in which the art has
 been passed down from master to student. This lineage
determines the authenticity and purity of the system being
taught.

At Franz Karate, our students are incredibly fortunate to train in a system that traces its roots back to the late 1400s.

The system we teach was officially named Shorin Ryu by Chosin Chibana Sensei, one of the most influential Okinawan masters. Chibana Sensei later appointed Shugoro Nakazato Hanshi as the most senior instructor in Shorin Ryu—a historic and rare distinction.

Nakazato Hanshi was so highly regarded that he was allowed to open a dojo in Naha while Chibana Sensei was still alive—a privilege rarely granted. His reputation for teaching Kata exactly as they were created drew students from all over Okinawa, Japan, and even the world.

Among the U.S. military personnel who trained under him, Nakazato Hanshi earned the legendary nickname:
"One-Punch Nakazato"—a testament to his ability to end a fight with a single blow.

Eddie Bethea Kyoshi: A First-Generation Student Under Nakazato Hanshi

In 1966, Eddie Bethea Kyoshi was stationed in Okinawa. While traveling to the military base, he noticed a sign that read "Nakazato Karate Gym". The moment he was processed onto the base, he immediately took a bus to the dojo—beginning a lifelong journey in authentic Shorin Ryu Karate.

Today, Bethea Kyoshi holds an 8th-degree black belt in both Shorin Ryu Karate and Okinawan Kobudo (weapons). He is widely recognized as one of the foremost experts on Shorin Ryu in the world today. He is also the direct teacher of Franz Shihan.

Steven Franz Kyoshi, our head instructor, holds a Nanadan - 7th-degree black belt and an official Kyoshi teaching license from Okinawa. His certification was personally awarded by:
✅ Shugoro Nakazato Hanshi
✅ Minoru Nakazato Hanshi
✅ Eddie Bethea Kyoshi

Franz Shihan is a 2nd-generation student in Shorin Ryu Shorinkan and makes yearly trips to Okinawa to train and review at the Shorinkan World Headquarters in Naha.

This direct lineage ensures that our students receive real, authentic Okinawan Karate in its purest form—a distinction that sets us apart from many other martial arts schools.

Some schools claim that lineage isn’t important—but often, that’s because they lack a direct connection to the true martial art they claim to teach.

There is a significant difference between:
❌ Commercialized / Sport Karate – Focused on trophies and ranks
✅ Dento (Traditional) Karate – Focused on self-defense, self-improvement, and preserving true martial arts

At Franz Karate, we are committed to teaching Karate the way it was meant to be taught—as a powerful system of
self-defense, discipline, and personal growth. When you train with us, you are investing in a genuine martial arts experience, backed by an unparalleled lineage.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT THE PIONEERS OF OKINAWAN KARATE