Devorah Yoshiko Dometrich

The first president of Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai Beikoku So Honbu (American General Headquarters), Hanshi Dometrich achieved the rank of Kudan (ninth degree black belt) in Ryukyu kobudo, and is one of only 14 personal students of Akamine Eisuke, and she is his only non-Okinawan English speaking student. She was appointed head of the RKHS in America directly by Akamine Sensei in 1977, and since then developed branch dojos across the United States and Canada with hundreds of students. 

She began studying Chito-ryu karate at the age of 14 under her adopted father Kyoshi William J. Dometrich. In 1966, she became the first women’s national karate champion in the history of the United States in both Kumite (fighting) and in Kata (forms). She would regain this title eight years later at the United States Karatedo Federation’s national tournament. From 1972 to 1977, she served in the United States Air Force, and in 1974, she was transferred to Okinawa, where she was introduced to Akamine Eisuke Hanshi, President of Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai. From 1974 to 1977 she spent the majority of her free time training in Ryukyu kobudo directly under Akamine Sensei. In 1976, Dometrich earned Grand Champion, Second Place at the First All Okinawan Kobudo Shiai sponsored by Akamine Sensei. Dometrich received her Instructor’s Certificate in Ryukyu Kobudo, and Akamine Sensei appointed her as head of Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai in the United States in 1977.

After returning to the U.S., Dometrich began a career as police officer. In addition to her regular patrol duties, she spent 13 years as a police instructor for the Justice Cabinet of Kentucky. She specialized in accident investigation, hostage negotiations, weaponless defense, and firearms instruction. 

From 1988 to 1998, Dometrich returned to Okinawa six times to visit and learn from Akamine while training with her kyodai (brothers) at Akamine Sensei’s Shinbukan dojo. Each visit lasted three months, the maximum allowed by her visa. In 1995, she participated in the Taira Shinken Embu Taikai, commemorating the 25th anniversary of Taira Shinken’s Death. Dometrich retired from police work in 1996 to follow in the footsteps of Taira Shinken by traveling and teaching Ryukyu kobudo across the U.S. and Canada. In 1997, Akamine Sensei asked her to return to Okinawa to assist him in teaching kobudo at the first Okinawa Karate and Kobudo World Tournaments. During this trip, Akamine awarded Dometrich the rank of Kyoshi Nanadan (seventh degree black belt), the first time in Okinawan history that such a high rank was awarded to a woman.

In 1997, Yoshiko Sensei met Onaga Yoshimitsu Sensei, and became one of his deshi (disciples). Onaga Sensei is a direct student of Higa Yuchoku, the Shorin-ryu master who worked with Taira Shinken and Akamine Eisuke to bring advanced gamanku (hip power) into Ryukyu kobudo. Under Onaga Sensei's tutelage, she deepened her understanding of tenshin (methods of movement) and gamanku. 

She passed away in 2024, leaving a lasting legacy in the realm of Okinawan martial arts.