JAMES H. COFFMAN

MATSUMURA SEITO 1961-

7TH DAN 1977-, JIKIDESHI

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1959 Sensei Coffman starts Karate in Clinton Maryland (Japanese Karate)

1960 Sensei Coffman is stationed on Okinawa and starts training in Okinawan Shorinji- Ryu Karate with Sensei Fusei Kise

1961 Grand Master Hohan Soken accepts Sensei Coffman as his first American student

1962 Sensei Coffman selected to represent Okinawa in the Fifth Japan Karate League

Kyushu District Championship Contest

1963 Sensei Coffman gets promoted to San-dan, his training continues at a break neck pace.

1964 Sensei Coffman starts first Dojo in the United States, Fort Bragg North Carloina.

1965 Sensei Coffman teams up with old friend, Gary Saluter, student of Sensei Nakamura.

1966 Sensei Coffman teaches as head instructor of George Dillman’s Karate School  1967 - 1970   Sensei Coffman starts Hombo Dojo in Silver Spring, Maryland.

1967 Sensei Coffman starts teaching karate for the Dristric of Columbia, continues until 1992.

1971- Seseni Coffman opens 2nd karate location, Chevy Chase, Maryland

1972 Sensei Coffman reunited with teachers, Grand Master Hohan Soken and Master

Kise (formulation of OKF)

1973-1974 - Sensei Coffman opens 3rd Dojo, located in Rockville, Maryland

1975 Sensei Coffman accepts position of SMOKA head and state side representative at request of Grand Master Hohan Soken and Master Kise

1976-1977 Sensei Coffman receives Nana-Dan promotion as President of SMOKA

1977-1978 Grand Master Hohan Soken retires from active teaching, Sensei Coffman formally breaks away from Kise, SMOKA-USA is formed.

1978-1985-1986

1987 - Susan Huston becomes Sensei Coffman's 1st female/woman black belt

1989 - Ed Marucci is promoted to Yon-dan (4th degree black belt)

1993 - Sensei Coffman moves to Chambersburg, Pa. starts new business, "Shooter's delight, Inc." a indoor shooting

range and firearm sporting store, teaches a small karate class.

1994 - Ed Marucci is promoted to Go-dan (5th degree black belt), Deus Marchacos is promoted to Yon-dan,

Al Gagne gets promoted to Go-dan (5th degree black belt)

1996 - Sensei Coffman moves to Marco Island, Florida. Opens small dojo teaches only private lessons.

1998 - Sensei Coffman builds new dojo in his Marco home, starts teaching private lessons

1999- Ateve Abert gets promoted to Yon-dan

2001- George Jutras is promoted to San-dan

2003 - Ed Marucci is the 1st student of Sensei Coffman to ever be promoted to Roku-dan (6th degree Red & white belt)

Carl Hoffman is promoted to San-dan. Sensei Coffman & Al Gagne (senior student Rhode Island) go to see Kise in Okinawa (see article)

2004 - Sensei Coffman moves to Ft Lauderdale, Florida, going through a divorce.

2005 - Al Gagne becomes the 2nd person to be promote to Roku-dan level (Red & white belt)

Richard LaViolette opens new SMOKA dojo in Fenton, Mo.

2006 - Sensei Coffman move back to his roots, Maryland. Matt Brooks opens new SMOKA member dojo in Chandles, Az.

2007 - Sensei Coffman, Al Gagne, make another trip to Okinawa (Sept. 07)