Thomas Erik Angerhofer (shidoin / yondan) started training in 1984, and has studied multiple styles of Japanese, Okinawan, Chinese, Thai, and modern / eclectic martial arts. The KU Juku began informally in 2001, when Erik joined the IRKRS under the direction of Hanshi Patrick McCarthy and was encouraged to start a research group to begin learning the fundamentals of Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu. Erik was officially accepted as a direct student of McCarthy sensei in 2004, was recognized as a KU black belt in 2005, and has been a fully accredited KU instructor for over 15 years. Additionally, Erik continues training in Yamaneryu Kobudo (Okinawan weaponry) and submission grappling (BJJ / catch wrestling).

KU can best be described as a type of sogo budo: a comprehensive / integrated martial art due to its diverse curriculum of Ti’gwa (boxing) / 手小, Tegumi (grappling) / 手組, Torite (seizing) / 擒拿, and Kata (forms) / 型/形. As such, it can be expressed in a variety of different ways, including life protection, sport, cultural recreation, as well as personal development and wellness. KU Juku USA honors the classical basis (koryu) of the art and embraces progressive insight and methods to meet the needs of the modern (gendai) learner. 

A "juku" is a specialty school, meant to augment or enhance compulsory education. Our aim is to provide evidence-based training, combining the best available information and research, along with decades of experience, to provide our students with a quality martial arts education in a safe and supportive learning environment.

For more information, please visit koryu-uchinadi.com.