Instructors

TOM TEDESCHI

At nine years old, in June of 1973, I started my journey with Robert Herten Sensei, a direct student of Nakazato Shuguro Sensei of Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan. I trained with Herten Sensei until 1982 when I enlisted in the U.S.M.C. for 3 years. Throughout my time in the Marines, I continued to train in Shorin-Ryu. In 1985 I received my Shodan (1st-degree black belt) directly from Nakazato Sensei. After leaving the Marines I became a horse farrier and shod horses for 30 years. I worked for the Canadian dressage team and cared for horses during two Olympics, in Athens, Greece, and Beijing, China. I also shod horses for the World Cup and World Games in Aachen, Germany. My specialties took me all over the world. I am now retired from shoeing horses, and I am a chef. Continuing to train, I was introduced to Ahagon Naonobu Hanshi in 2010 while attending a seminar in the NJ dojo. He spent a week with us and shared his extensive knowledge of Shuri-te. In 2012 I also attended his seminar in CT hosted by Spear Sensei. I earned my Nanadan (7th-degree black belt) and Kyoshi (model teacher title) from Herten Sensei in 2013. In 2017 I was afforded a wonderful opportunity to become a direct student of Ahagon Naonobu, Judan (10th-degree black belt) Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Reihokan Karate and Kobudo. I made my first trip to Okinawa in April of 2018, where I was awarded the rank of Godan (5th-degree black belt) and received Shibu Dojo recognition, reporting directly to Honbu Dojo in Okinawa. Later in the summer, I trained with him again when he came to our Connecticut dojo. I tested in and received Shodan in Kobudo (weapons training). I started the Iron Horse Dojo in 2021 at Spa 23 in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, where I teach children and adults the art of Okinawan Reihokan Shorin-Ryu while continuing my training under Ahagon Sensei. I returned to Okinawa in 2023 when Covid restrictions were lifted and was promoted to Roku Dan (6th-degree black belt) and awarded a Shihan teaching. 2023 marks my 50th year of being a student in Okinawan Karate and 40 years of teaching. I am currently a general member of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, Japan’s oldest budo organization.