This account of the history of Yoshu-Kai karate in the United States is meant to be totally factual yet informal and easy to read. I felt it would be better to tell this story as if we are sitting around drinking a cup of coffee and talking about the "old days" instead of like a presentation at a business meeting. So, here goes nothing – and everything.
First, let me introduce myself. My name is Rayburn Nichols. I began my training in Shorin-Ryu karate in the late 1950’s. Under my instructor, Bernard Collins, I achieved the rank of 2nd degree black belt.