Brian Ash, Founder

Brian Sensei began training in the martial arts in 1981 in Toledo, Ohio. He joined a Chinese Kempo school with hopes of a kickboxing career. In 1985, Brian Sensei began training at the Ingram’s Isshin-Ryu dojo in Palm Harbor, Florida. While training and teaching, he was able to win a Florida amateur kickboxing title.

Through the Ingrams, Brian Sensei was able to train with world kickboxing champions Jerry Clarke, Richard Hill and Jim Graden. Later, he competed around the state in kata and kumite.

After moving to the Northwest, Brian Sensei competed in state, regional and national tournaments. In 2001, he won a Bronze medal in the Okinawan Rengokai World Championships held in Atlanta, Georgia. Brian Sensei went on to win two national titles in the AAU Karate National Championships in 2003 and 2004.

Brian Sensei founded Ash’s Okinawan Karate in 1997 in Bozeman, Montana.  He spent the next 20+ years building his very successful dojo with his wife, Lisa Sensei.

Brian Sensei retired from competition in 2005 and has focused on the traditional aspects of Karate and Kobudo. He coaches his students to become national champions themselves.

Brian Sensei travels regularly to train under his instructors for corrections and improvements in his own skills. Most recently, he traveled to Okinawa to train with Tamayose Hidemi Sensei, the leader of the Ryu Kyu Kobudo Tesshinkan and to compete in the Okinawa Traditional Kobudo World Tournament.