Our History

In 1975 classes began at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Gym led by Sensei Dan Francis. Sensei Francis earned his black belt at the Hombu Dojo of the United States Chito-ryu Karate Federation in Covington, KY under the instruction of Hanshi William Dometrich. Sensei Francis had enrolled in the seminary as a student seeking a Doctorate degree in the preaching ministry.

In January 1976, Phillip Arnold began his study of karate under Sensei Francis and earned his black belt in 1982. During that time, Louisville Yoseikan moved its dojo to the Crescent Hill area and had become the first school to win both the team kata and team kumite competition at the National Chito-ryu tournament held in 1980 in Pittsburgh. That feat was duplicated in 1984.

In May of 1984 Sensei Francis earned his Ph.D. and graduated from the Seminary. At that point, Dr. Francis accepted the pastorate of a church in Winchester, KY and prepared to leave Louisville. The Louisville Yoseikan Dojo was left in the hands of Kyoshi Phillip Arnold.

In 1989 the dojo relocated from Crescent Hill to its present location on Hikes Lane at the Fellowship Center of Buechel Park Baptist Church.

In 2005, the Louisville Yoseikan affiliated with the Koshin-ha Chito Ryu Karate-do Association with the goal being the preservation and development of Chito-ryu karate-do as created by Doctor Tsuyoshi Chitose.

Photographs

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