Seiyo Kai International

Seiyo No Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai evolved from Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo through the vision of Kyoju (Professor) W. Dan Hausel. On September, 23^rd 1999, Seiyo Shorin-Ryu became an officially recognized martial art certified by Zen Kokusai Soke Budo-Bugei Renmei. At this time, Kyoju Hausel was certified as the Sokeshodai (1^st generation grandmaster) of Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo by the association. Additional Soke certifications were provided by the World Organizer of Martial Arts (affiliated with World Soke Head Council of Japan) and Budo-Bugei Kokusai Renmei confirming the right of Soke Hausel to ownership of Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo. The following day (September 24^th, 1999), Soke Hausel was promoted to Kudan (9^th dan) by Dai-Soke Sacharnoski of Juko Kai International, USA and Soke Toma of the International Okinawa Martial Arts Union, Okinawa, Japan. 

On February 22^nd, 2004, Soke Hausel was promoted to Judan (10^th dan) in Shorin-Ryu Karate by Soke Tianero of the World Organizer of Martial Arts and on June 6, 2004, received additional certification for Judan by Dai-Soke Sacharnoski of Juko Kai International at the 2004 JKI Yudansha Clinic. Seiyo Shorin-Ryu is an independent martial art under the governing body of Seiyo Kai International and affiliated with Zen Kokusai Budo Bugei Renmei & Juko Kai International.

As a member of Seiyo Kai International (SKI), annual dues are necessary to remain in good standing. This is characteristic of all traditional martial arts associations. This grants practitioner memberships into SKI and provides a means for our organization to maintain a Hombu (central headquarters) allowing members to certify in a legitimate martial art recognized worldwide. Without a Hombu and international certifying body, rank certifications are meaningless.

Most traditional martial artsorganizations rely on its members to support their Hombu unlike local sport martial arts clubs that tend to charge high fees to cover leasing costs and pay salaries of instructors. Traditional martial arts members pay low fees to cover cost of operating a hombu (instructor fees are not covered).

Information on our lineage is available at:

(1) http://grandmaster.pbworks.com/Lineage  

 Information about the Seiyo Central Hombu is available at:

(1) http://arizonakarate.webs.com

The chain of command for Seiyo Shorin-Ryu is as follows. If Soke Hausel is unable to continue in his duties, the association then falls in the hands of Soke-Dai Eric Hausel. If Eric is unable to continue, the association is then granted to Hanshi Andy Finley.

·        SOKE (W. Dan Hausel)

·        SOKE-DAI (Eric J. Hausel) and SOKE-DAI IN TRAINING (Jessica Martinez)

·        WORLD DIVISION HEAD – (Andy Finley)

·        OPEN SHORIN-RYU DIVISION HEAD – (Rob Watson)

·        Other KYOSHI

·        SHIHAN

·        SENSEI

Rank in all other legitimate martial arts systems are to be respected, but these individuals have no authority or teaching certificates in Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Karate. All outsiders must learn our system of martial arts to take part in Seiyo Shorin-Ryu.

Soke-Dai Eric Hausel, Hanshi Andy Finley and Kyoshi Rob Watson all are representatives and senior ushi deshi of Soke Hausel and act as his representative. They run their dojos as branches of the Hombu and have special privileges not granted to others.

“To win 100 victories in 100 battles is not the highest skill. To subdue an enemy without fighting is the highest skill.” – Sun-Tzu