Our Auburn dojo's history mirrors, somewhat, the history of Shotokan karate and Japan Karate-do Ryobu-Kai.  The  Topeka Judo and Karate Academy was founded by Judo Sensei Arden Cowherd in 1961, and an offshoot dojo came to Auburn in 1991.  We were originally a Shotokan dojo under the leadership of Carl McDonald, 7th dan, until his tragic death in 2000.  Sensei Carl was never formally associated with a national organization, but he was close friends with Midori Yama Budokai. When control of the dojos devolved to Randy Hendershot, Hendershot's close associations with Ryobu-Kai led, after some years, to affiliation with that organization, under the leadership of  Yasuhiro Konishi II, and Sensei Kiyoshi Yamazaki, 9th dan.

     Although the Topeka dojo closed due to Sensei Cowherd's health, the Auburn Branch of the tree remains strong, with Sensei Randy Hendershot as the current Chief Instructor and Dojo-Cho. We consider the ongoing leadership of Senseis Konishi and Yamazaki a vital link to the finest traditions of true karate-do. We will continue to expand and strengthen the bonds of karate knowledge and practice. 

     In Japan, the close association between Shotokan karate and Ryobu-kai began when Gichin Funakoshi traveled to Japan from Okinawa in the 1920s.  Funakoshi met Yasuhiro Konishi I, and the two men became fast friends.  Konishi was a respected martial artist of wide experience, what we would now call a Renaissance Man, and Funakoshi and his Shotokan style benefited immeasurably from Konishi's support. Sensei Konishi went on to study with a variety of Okinawan karate masters, and as a result, J.K.R. has strong influences from a variety of karate masters, along with independent Japanese strains of Aikido and Kenjustu.  The style of karate founded by Sensei Konishi is called Shindo Jinen Ryu.