LEADER

Desmond Harpstarr

I moved to Okayama in July 1990 for a job. I joined Roppokai and began my studies in the fall of 1990. I practiced with the Okayama group and began to experience instruction from Okamoto Sensei when he visited Okayama, and also when I visited Tokyo. I attained Shodan (1st Dan) in 1993 and moved back to Oregon in 1994.

I continued to return to Okayama and Tokyo almost yearly to study Roppokai. Around 1997, my practice became exclusively with Okamoto Sensei at the Honbu Dojo (Headquarters Dojo) in Tokyo. I attained Nidan (2nd Dan) in 2002, Sandan (3rd Dan) in 2009, and Okugi Sandan (Inner Secrets 3rd Dan) in 2016. I continue to return to the Honbu almost every year to practice.

The Oregon Roppokai, along with the Texas Roppokai, hosts a seminar in the US approximately every two years, and any Roppokai member is welcome to attend.