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Welcome to
THE OPEN HAND NOTEBOOK.

Adam Carter Hanshi image
 
Adam Carter 8th dan Hanshi

Hello & Welcome to my personal Blog.


Dedicated to Everything
Martial Arts

My name is Adam Carter, and I appreciate you taking the time to visit. I am passionate about the martial arts, particularly the classical karate of Okinawa. My goal is to help practitioners - regardless of style or experience - gain a deeper understanding of their karate.

I publish content here as often as I can while also teaching at the Shuri Dojo, located in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Our dojo was originally founded in the UK in 1986, and we continue to teach traditional Okinawan karate with a strong emphasis on self-protection, the practical applications of kata, and the discipline and etiquette that form the foundation of true martial arts training.

As part of a lineage that traces back to Okinawa, we are dedicated to preserving classical karate and its cultural traditions, ensuring that this invaluable heritage is passed on to the next generation.

If there’s anything I can help with, feel free to reach out.

I hope you enjoy your visit to my blog. Please leave a comment about any of the posts.

Thanks again for visiting.

Adam

"Ichariba chode" (行逢りば兄弟). An Okinawan expression ….. “Though we meet but once, even by chance, we are friends for life.”

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RECENT POSTS

It’s Not the Name – It’s What It Does: Techniques Must Remain Adaptable. image
It’s Not the Name – It’s What It Does: Techniques Must Remain Adaptable.

JUN 20, 2025


Don’t Just Prove It – Disprove It: The Value of Getting It Wrong. image
Don’t Just Prove It – Disprove It: The Value of Getting It Wrong.

JUN 19, 2025


The Movement Inside the Technique: Oi-Zuki – More Than Just a Punch. image
The Movement Inside the Technique: Oi-Zuki – More Than Just a Punch.

JUN 17, 2025


Practice Makes Permanent: Train It Right from the Start. image
Practice Makes Permanent: Train It Right from the Start.

JUN 16, 2025


The Essence of the Martial Arts Lies Not in Strength or Style, but in What You Find Within Yourself. image
The Essence of the Martial Arts Lies Not in Strength or Style, but in What You Find Within Yourself.

JUN 14, 2025


Self-Defense Starts Long Before Technique: Not Everyone’s Ready to Hit. image
Self-Defense Starts Long Before Technique: Not Everyone’s Ready to Hit.

JUN 13, 2025


Thinking Beyond Technique: Self-Defense Isn’t About Techniques (It’s About People). image
Thinking Beyond Technique: Self-Defense Isn’t About Techniques (It’s About People).

JUN 12, 2025


Why Learning to ‘Fight’ Isn’t the First Lesson in Self-Defense. image
Why Learning to ‘Fight’ Isn’t the First Lesson in Self-Defense.

JUN 11, 2025