Sekai Toshi Gijutsu Dojo has its roots in a
karate school called Okinawa-te started by Captain Angus Reynolds, United
States Marine Corps (USMC), when he was stationed in Buffalo, New York
sometime between 1960 and 1963. Captain Reynolds had two USMC Sergeants
assisting him, Sergeant Sam Soda and Sergeant Jerry Simmons. Captain Reynolds
was a Roku-dan in Isshin Ryu Karate, Shodan in Judo, and was well versed in
Okinawa Weapons and other martial arts i.e., Aikido, Jujitsu, and Kendo.
Captain Reynolds had studied Isshin Ryu Karate directly from the Master and
Founder Tatsuo Shimabuku when he was stationed on Okinawa in earlier years,
sometime between 1954 and 1962.
In 1963, John H. Overton became acquainted
with Captain Reynolds and his dojo (school). When he visited the dojo. John H.
Overton was so impressed with the traditionalism of the dojo that he became a
student. During the course of that year Dave Rapp, Paul Hallenbeck and Mike
Costello had the same experience and joined the dojo.
In January 1964 Sensei Reynolds changed the
name to Sekai Toshi Gijutsu Dojo with the idea of the school being a center
for the learning of a number of martial arts, using his own knowledge and
others. Some of the participating instructors were:
Sifu Ting Fong Wong Kungfu
Sensei Al Schmidt Judo
Sensei Angus Reynolds Jujitsu, Aikido, and
Isshin Ryu Karate
The arrangement lasted less than one year
and then only Sensei Reynolds and Isshin Ryu Karate was left. He kept the name
Sekai Toshi Gijutsu Dojo, however. Sensei Reynolds, Simmons and Soda went to
Vietnam in 1967, before leaving they turned the school over to Senseis
Overton, Rapp, Hallenbeck and Costello. Three years later Sensei Overton was
the sole owner of the dojo.
In 1968 a training manual was put together
for the students of Sekai Toshi Gijutsu Dojo. It was called the Sekai Toshi
Gijutsu Dojo Promotion-Information Book. The purpose was to systematize the
training and have of record of a students training for both the student and
Sekai Toshi Gijutsu Dojo. The manual was written by Sensei John H. Overton and
Sensei Quitman Hawkins; a student who later became a partner in 1970.
Over the years Sekai Toshi Gijutsu Dojo
accepted people from all walks of life. The dojo has been subjected to fires
and explosions, for which the dojo was never closed for training. Never, in
all its years and partners, has there been any contracts. The partnerships
have always been through true brotherhood, a handshake, and extremely close
friendship. The world could learn a lot from the relationship that exists
among Master Angi Uezu, Dai Sensei John H. Overton, and all of Sekai Toshi
Gijutsu Dojo students, wherever they may be.
Over the years Sekai Toshi Gijutsu Dojo has
maintained direct ties with the Island of Okinawa through the yearly visits of
Master Angi Uezu. Senseis and students have also made trips to Okinawa to
train, keeping the art as it was taught by Grand Master Tatsuo Shimabuku.
Dai Sensei John H. Overton died unexpectedly
on November 2, 1991, in Buffalo New York. Master Uezu came and paid his
respects to Dai Sensei Overton and Beatrice Overton in May 1992. At this time
Master Uezu stated that Sensei Robert Herron (Atlanta GA) would now carry on
the teaching and philosophies of Dai Sensei Overton and Sekai Toshi Gijutsu
Dojo.
