Friday, September 23, 2011 by C. Michial Jones
To understand “Komakai Karate,” one must look back to the post-war era of 1964 and the arrival of a young Marine in Chesterfield, Indiana. The system did not emerge in a vacuum; it was a synthesis of raw Okinawan tradition and the evolving landscape of American martial arts.
The Jundokan Root
The foundation of the lineage was established by Larry Pickel. During his thirteen-month tour in Naha, Okinawa, Mr. Pickel trained directly under Master Ei’ichi Miyazato at the Jundokan. He lived the history we now read about, training alongside future legends like Morio Higaonna, Teruo Chinen, and Koshin Iha.
His connection to Miyazato Sensei was deeply personal, extending beyond the mat to social outings and the procurement of American luxuries like Aqua Velva and Golden Wedding whiskey for the Master. When Pickel returned to Indiana, he brought with him a pure, unadulterated form of Jundokan Goju-Ryu.
The Formation of the Academy
In 1966, Larry Pickel and his senior students—Glenn Keeney, Larry Davenport, and Jerry Brown—purchased the John Chambers Judo Academy. After a brief period as the “Anderson Gojuryu Karate Club,” Mr. Pickel chose the name Komakai from a Japanese dictionary.
By 1969, Glenn Keeney had become the sole owner and visionary of the school. While he remained loyal to the Goju-Ryu roots, Mr. Keeney expanded his education under the giants of the USKA (United States Karate Association): Robert Trias and Phillip Koeppel. This introduced the influence of Shuri-Ryu (Shorei-Ryu) to the dojo’s foundation.
The Two Streams: A Parallel Curriculum
Between 1970 and 2004, the Komakai became famous for teaching both systems side-by-side. Crucially, Mr. Keeney did not “blend” the arts into a muddy hybrid; he maintained the separation of the systems, requiring students to learn the specific Kihon Waza (basics) for both Goju and Shuri.
The Komakai Syllabus (1970–2004)
The following kata formed the backbone of the dojo’s requirements:
| Category | Kata Name |
| Foundation | Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Sanchin, Saifa |
| Advanced Goju | Seiunchin, Shisochin, Sanseru, Seipai |
| Shuri / Shorei | Empi Sho, Bassai Dai, Naifanchin (I, II, III), Dan Enn Sho, Go Pei Sho, Nan Dan Sho, Kanku Sho |
| Kobudo (Weapons) | Tuse Sho No Kon, Sai Jutsu Ichi, Chatan Yara No Sai |
Advanced students often expanded their knowledge with Kururunfa, Seisan, Suparenpei, Tensho, Anaku, Wunsu, Chinto, and Rohai.
Defining the “Komakai System”
By the early 1990s, the school was a powerhouse. Known for its dominance in both traditional point tournaments and the gritty world of full-contact matches, the term “Komakai System” began to take hold.
While some may debate the use of “System” or “Ryu,” the proof is found in the physical record. The Menjo (certificates) issued by the dojo during this era explicitly use the kanji for Komakai System. It was a unique ryu-ha: rooted in the “Hard/Soft” of Naha and the “Speed/Power” of Shuri, tempered by the competitive fire of American tournament karate.
The Tradition Continues
Though the physical Anderson dojo was sold in 2004, the Komakai System lives on through Glenn Keeney’s yudansha.
No responses yet