SENSEI
Those who made the road
before
Richard Keith
Isshinryu lineage: Tatsuo Shimabukuro >
Richard Keith
Born
December 25, 1929. Gunnery Sergeant Richard Keith was an active duty
U.S. Marine when he was assigned to duty in Okinawa. While stationed
in Okinawa in 1957, he studied Isshin Ryu Karate, along with Harold
Long and Harry G. Smith, training directly under Master Tatsuo
Shimabukuru. He returned to the U.S. and was assigned to duty in New
Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Ironically being stationed in New
Cumberland, Pa, caused Keith to be associated again with Harry G.
Smith, who lived in Hershey, Pa, and just a few miles from New
Cumberland. Smith had advertised for students to train in Isshinryu
Karate, based in a local YMCA. The first meeting of that group
gathered Ralph Lindquist, Jack Sipe, and others. Harry G. Smith and
Richard Keith formed a partnership so to speak, and opened a school
in Harrisburg, Pa.
It was this partnership that caused yet another
split in the Isshinryu system. Smith and Keith had a difference of
opinion as to what was more important, kumite or kata.
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