About Us

I was introduced to karate by my brother when I was just a kid. I didn't know then what a significant role it would play in my life. At 17, I joined the U.S. Navy but continued to practice my karate. One thing that is consistent with the military is once you are settled in there is a lot of free time and there is always a gym. 

In 1977, I was awarded my first degree black belt in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu. This style I studied for the 10 years I was active duty. 

I moved to Bristol in 1982, when my naval career ended and I followed the love of my life to Tennessee. 

I joined JKO Bristol in January 1990 as an interim black belt. I was promoted to Shodan that same year.

Over the next two decades, I was promoted to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th degree. 

I was promoted to black belt 5th Dan on January 16, 2015, and was certified as Shihan on October 10th, 2015 by Hanshi (Grand Master) Minobu Miki, 8th degree, JKO Chairman. 

On July 15th, 2023, I was promoted to 6th Dan and certified as Renshi by Hanshi Minobu Miki. 

I served as the senior instructor for JKO Bristol TN/VA for over 25 years. 

Hanshi M. Miki is a highly decorated karate instructor worldwide. Hanshi is the first person outside of Japan to be awarded the 8th degree black belt and has received the prestigious honor of receiving the Hanshi-Go (Grand Mastership) by Soke Kenzo Mabuni : the heir of the founder of Shito Ryu, Karate-Do: Kenwa Mabuni.

Hanshi Miki’s other Merits and Honors include:

Congressional Certificate of Achievement Award (1983).

Certificate Distinguished Service Award and Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition (1984).

Certificates of Special Recognition from the Office of the Governor of Arizona and Major of San Jose, California. (1993)

Hanshi Miki has been awarded with numerous prestigious positions and honors:

Awarded the 7th degree black belt by the JKF: Japan Karate Federation, under Japanese Ministry of Education and Science, (first person outside of Japan to be awarded) in 1987.

Attaché to the founding member to the World Karate Federation (WKF) World Referee Council (1975). WKF: World Referee in Kata and Kumite (1975-1994). WKF Referee Ring Controller (since 1980) in Madrid, Spain.

Pan American Continent Referee Council Inaugural Member (1980-2000)

Chairman of International Official Committee in USA Karate Federation.

Founding member of WKF World Technical Committee under the guidance of Japan Karate Federation (JKF) Chairman Fusajiro Takagi (1987) – Budapest, Hungary

Served as member of WKF World Technical Committee for WKF: World Karate Federation, a member of International Olympic Committee. (1994-1999)

Chief Delegate of the USA Team and a member of WKF: Referee Council, to the first World Collegiate Championship (1986) – Kobe, Japan

Chief Referee Council for the first ever Karate event in the Pan American Games, held under the International Olympic Committee (1995) – Argentina, South America

Hanshi Miki has taught locally at the University of San Diego, Mesa College and South Western College for Physical Education Accredit Course for Karate, Women’s Self Defense and Kick Boxing courses. (Over 25 years). He visits annually to his affiliated schools throughout USA.

He also taught in Central and South American countries and Europe extensively.

The Italian Karate Federation hired him as their National Kata Instructor/Coach for 8 years. Hanshi produced the first Italian Female World Silver medalists in both individual and team in the 12th WKF World Championships which were held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia in 1994..