Okinawa Kenpo Karate is an empty hand form of martial arts and is a term that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century and is often used as a generic term to describe all of the Okinawan styles..This term came into use to describe a particular style, the karate being taught by Master Shigeru Nakamura(1894-1969), who had studied under a variety of Okinawan instructors . He opened his own dojo in 1953 and called his form of karate Okinawa Kenpo. Seikichi Odo was his senior student and took over teaching in the dojo as Nakamura aged. After Master Nakamuras death, Odo Sensei became the head of the Okinawa Kenpo Karate Association. His take and style of what he learned from Nakamura Sensei has evolved to what it is today, using hip rotation and relaxation to develop power. There are 18 open hand forms or kata that are taught. The techniques found in kata are the basis for self defense.