SEIKICHI ODO
1926 - 2002
It is with great saddness that we post this memorial to the passing of Hanshi SEIKICHI ODO.
Hanshi Odo, 10th Dan, Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo, passed away in March 24, 2002.
After Master Nakamura's death in 1969, the Okinawa Kenpo Renmei, appointed SEIKICHI ODO as Master of Okinawa Kenpo Karate. As Master of Okinawa Kenpo, Seikichi Odo was also installed as President of the All Okinawa Kenpo Karate-do League. Shortly afterwards, Master Odo officially added the weapons to the Okinawa Kenpo system, with the result being what we now know as "Okinawa Kenpo Karate-Kobudo".
In the mid-1970's Master Odo created the "Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo Association", to be renamed in 1983 to the "Okinawa Kenpo Karate-Kobudo Federation". Master Odo was ranked as Judan (10th Dan) in both Karate & Kobudo, and was considered one of the top weapons practitioners in the world. In 1998, Master Odo renamed the Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo Federation to be the"Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujutsu Federation", and changed the name of the arts taught under his direct auspices to "Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujutsu".
Mr. Heilman became a student of Master Odo in 1983 and during his association, he served as Master Odo's U.S. Representative (starting in 1984) and then International Representative and Board Member of Master Odo's Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo Federation (ending in 1996). Additionally, Master Odo served as a member of the IKKF Executive Board from its inception in 1991 to March, 1999.
Hanshi Seikichi Odo and C. Bruce and Ann-Marie Heilman during one of Master Odo's numerous visits to the Heilman Dojo in the States.