Iron Lions Karate - Strength, Family, Power

Meet our Senseis

Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato

Shugoro Nakazato (1919–2016) was a legendary Okinawan karate master who preserved and spread Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan karate worldwide.

He began training as a young man under Chosin Chibana, the founder of Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu, and quickly became one of his top students.

After World War II, Nakazato dedicated his life to karate, eventually becoming Chibana’s leading successor and founding the Shorinkan branch.

He taught thousands of students both in Okinawa and abroad, building a legacy of strong, knowledgeable black belts.

Known for his strict but caring teaching and deep technical skill, Nakazato helped keep the spirit and tradition of Okinawan karate alive.

His lineage traces from Matsumura Sōkon, Ankō Itosu, and Chosin Chibana directly to him and his many Shorinkan students around the world.

Shugoro Nakazato (1919–2016) was a legendary Okinawan karate master who preserved and spread Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan karate worldwide.

He began training as a young man under Chosin Chibana, the founder of Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu, and quickly became one of his top students.

After World War II, Nakazato dedicated his life to karate, eventually becoming Chibana’s leading successor and founding the Shorinkan branch.

He taught thousands of students both in Okinawa and abroad, building a legacy of strong, knowledgeable black belts.

Known for his strict but caring teaching and deep technical skill, Nakazato helped keep the spirit and tradition of Okinawan karate alive.

His lineage traces from Matsumura Sōkon, Ankō Itosu, and Chosin Chibana directly to him and his many Shorinkan students around the world.

Shugoro Nakazato (1919–2016) was a legendary Okinawan karate master who preserved and spread Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan worldwide.

Trained by Chosin Chibana, he became his top student and later founded the Shorinkan branch after WWII.

Nakazato taught thousands in Okinawa and beyond, leaving a legacy of skilled black belts and keeping Okinawan karate tradition alive.

His lineage runs from Matsumura Sōkon to Ankō Itosu, Chosin Chibana, and then to him and his Shorinkan students.

Nagazato Sensei

Hanshi Minoru Nakazato

Minoru Nakazato is the current head (Sōke) of Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan karate and the son of the legendary Shugoro Nakazato.

Born and raised in Okinawa, he grew up training directly under his father and became one of the most skilled and respected karate masters of his generation.

Today, Minoru Nakazato leads the Shorinkan organization, preserving its traditions while teaching students from around the world.

Known for his technical precision and humble leadership, he continues to uphold the legacy of Okinawan karate through his teaching and example.

Minoru Nakazato is the current head (Sōke) of Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan karate and the son of the legendary Shugoro Nakazato.

Born and raised in Okinawa, he grew up training directly under his father and became one of the most skilled and respected karate masters of his generation.

Today, Minoru Nakazato leads the Shorinkan organization, preserving its traditions while teaching students from around the world.

Known for his technical precision and humble leadership, he continues to uphold the legacy of Okinawan karate through his teaching and example.

Kyoshi Edddie Bethea

Eddie Bethea is an American karate master known for bringing Okinawan Shorin-Ryu karate to the United States. He began his martial arts journey in the 1960s while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Okinawa, where he trained under Shugoro Nakazato and became one of his top students.

After returning to the U.S., Bethea dedicated his life to teaching Shorin-Ryu, founding his own dojo and producing generations of skilled black belts. Widely respected for his technical skill, competitive achievements, and dedication to traditional karate values, Bethea has played a key role in spreading authentic Okinawan karate across America.

His lineage goes directly from Matsumura Sōkon to Ankō Itosu, Chosin Chibana, Shugoro Nakazato, and then to himself and his students.

Kyoshi Stephen Ferraro

Renshi Stephen Farraro

Renshi Paul Hamilton

Renshi Paul Hamilton

Sensei Daniel R. Smith

Sensei Daniel Smith, a student of the Iron Butterfly Karate Club.

His journey began in 1996 under the tutelage (guardianship) of the great Renshi Theotholus Belle.

Dedicated to carry on the Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan-Small Forest Style imparted by the great master Belle.

Sensei Stephen-Lee Marhong

Stephen-Lee Marhong is a respected Canadian karate instructor known for his dedication to Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan.

He began his martial arts journey as a young man, studying under senior instructors in the Nakazato lineage.

Over the years, Sensei Marhong has built a reputation for both technical skill and passionate teaching, leading students of all ages and sharing the traditions of Okinawan karate in Canada.

Through his leadership, many of his students have earned black belts, carrying forward the spirit and discipline of traditional karate.