Robert Johnson
GODAN
(5th Degree Black Belt)
SHOTOKAN
YONDAN
(4th Degree Black Belt)
MATAYOSHI KOBUDO KODOKAN
NIDAN
(2nd Degree Black Belt)
USKL OKINAWAN KOBUDO
SHODAN
ARAKI MUJINSAI-RYU IAIDO
INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE
YANG STYLE TAI CHI LONG FORM
WHITE DRAGON TAI CHI
Sensei Bob began training with USKL in 1992. He received his 5th Degree Black Belt in October 2015. Bob has also trained in Kobudo (the art of traditional Okinawan weapons) with Sensei Aponte, Kyoshi Marquez, and Shihan Nishiuchi and was awarded his 2nd Degree Black Belt in January 2008 by Sensei Aponte.
In an effort to further his training, Sensei Bob joined the Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan International (MKKI) in July 2008 and began studying under Sensei Franco Sanguinetti. This organization is directly linked to the Matayoshi Kobudo headquarters in Okinawa, through the legendary Kodokan Dojo. In February 2015, Sensei Bob was awarded his Sandan with the MKKI. In 2011 and 2013, Sensei Bob traveled with Sanguinetti Sensei and other members of the MKKI to Okinawa and was honored to train with Itokazu Seisho Sensei, formerly Kancho (technical director) of Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan. During these trips, Sensei Bob was fortunate to attend seminars in the empty hand arts of Goju-Ryu, Konan-Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, and Uechi-Ryu.
Bob was also a student of Araki Mujinsai-ryu Iaido under the instruction of Tim Richmond Sensei and was awarded his Shodan in 2017 by Toyoda Soke.
in 2019, Bob retired and subsequently moved to his hometown in Ohio where he trains in his private dojo, Toi Yama (distant mountain) dojo. In 2022, Bob received his instructor certificate in Yang Style Tai Chi Long Form from Sifu Doug Fritz and currently teaches Tai Chi at the local Senior Center.
Sensei Johnson's Timeline
USKL Shotokan Karate
Started ~1991
Shodan 2001
Nidan 2004
Sandan 2009
Yondan 2013
Godan 2015 - Sensei Aponte/Whiteside, Shihan Pickard and George Sasano (JKA)
USKL Okinawan Kobudo
Started 1994
Shodan 2005
Nidan 2008
Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan International
Started 2008
Shodan 2009
Nidan 2011
Sandan 2015
Yondan 2019
Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido
Started 2011
Shodan 2017
White Dragon Tai Chi
Yang Style Tai Chi Long Form
Instructor Certificate 2022
Papers
Photos
Click any photo to open the viewer
Click the upper right-hand X to return to this page
I just returned from a training trip to Naha Okinawa, the birthplace of Karate. This was my third trip, and by far the best, but also the most challenging as I was testing for my Yondan in front of Komura Sensei, Sanguinetti Sensei and Kimiya Sensei.