American Karate System



Chief Instructor: Michael  Sullenger, 9th Dan

About Michael Sullenger

Mike is a native Hoosier, having been born in Indianapolis and raised in Vincennes, Indiana.   Mike is the Chief Instructor of the American Karate System, and a member of the AKS Board of Advisors.

He started his martial arts training at the age of 12 in 1960.   Over the years Mike has studied Judo, Jujitsu, Hapkido, Shotokan, Issinhryu, Chung Do Kwan Tae Soo Do, and Tang Soo Do Mu Da Kwan.   He joined Mr. Lieb's organization in 1972 and was one of the 13 orginial schools/instructors who assisted in founding the AKS.   Mike continues to be a steadfast supporter of the AKS and its goals to this day.

About A.K.S.
The  A.K.S. is a conservative, tradition-oriented style of karate.   This is embodied in our use of only a white uniform for all levels of rank for all formal occasions  (e.g. testings, tournaments, visits to and by other schools, etc).   Brown and black belts may also use an all black uniform for normal in-school training.

Historical Perspective
The beginnings of the martial arts cannot be accurately traced. As early as the days of the cave dweller man has sought weapons and techniques with which to defend himself or to conquer his enemies.   For the purposes of brevity we'll begin with what is believed to be the origin of Kung-Fu.

Various martial arts publications tell us that about fourteen hundred years ago the founder of Zen Buddhism, Daruma (Bodhidharma), left his native country of India and traveled to China to present lectures on Buddhism.   He eventually settled in the Hunan Province in a place of worship known as the Shaolin Temple.   Once there his following, which had grown to a large number, were led through rigorous training which caused many to drop out from exhaustion.   Daruma developed a set of exercises for them called the "Ekkin Sutra."   Through these movements, his followers were able to regain their physical strength, and soon became known far and wide for their courage and fortitude.   These movements were combined with local techniques to form the Chinese system of boxing, or Kung-Fu.

Korea, Japan and Okinawa each had martial arts systems unique to their native lands.   As countrymen traveled to and from their homeland and China, they brought back new and different techniques.   Karate, as we know it, originated in Okinawa and was brought to Japan by Ginchin Funakoshi in 1917.   Funakoshi's travel to Japan, at that time, was to demonstrate his martial art to the Emporer of Japan.   This trip was made possible by an invitation from the Ministry of Education.   After giving his demonstrations and lectures, Funakoshi returned to his Okinawan homeland.   He returned again to Japan in 1923 and continued teaching his system of karate.   He remained there until his death in 1957.

American Karate System
 

Telephone: 956-453-9443
 

Email:

Homepage: http://www.americankaratesystem.org

Back to Last Page

Copyright © 1995 - 24-06-08  Dojos.com
All rights reserved Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited
Web Pages Designed and Maintained By Netstuff.Com, Inc.
Updated: 06/24/08 12:56:22 PM