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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

The Boxer’s Lesson, The Master’s Secret: Kata’s Practical Legacy. image
The Boxer’s Lesson, The Master’s Secret: Kata’s Practical Legacy.

JUL 03, 2025


Maai: Mastering the Space Between – Control the Distance, Control the Fight. image
Maai: Mastering the Space Between – Control the Distance, Control the Fight.

JUL 02, 2025


Beyond De-escalation: When Avoidance Fails, Decisive Action – The Core of Kata’s Self-Defense. image
Beyond De-escalation: When Avoidance Fails, Decisive Action – The Core of Kata’s Self-Defense.

JUL 01, 2025


Protect Yourself – But Think First: The Art of Avoiding Trouble. image
Protect Yourself – But Think First: The Art of Avoiding Trouble.

JUN 30, 2025


Self-Defense Isn’t a Game: Time to Get Real. image
Self-Defense Isn’t a Game: Time to Get Real.     

JUN 27, 2025


If You Think Fighting Is Self-Defense, Think Again: Can You Protect Someone Without Fighting? image
If You Think Fighting Is Self-Defense, Think Again: Can You Protect Someone Without Fighting?

JUN 26, 2025


Calling It Self-Defense Doesn’t Make It True: Most Dojos Teach Fighting. image
Calling It Self-Defense Doesn’t Make It True: Most Dojos Teach Fighting.

JUN 25, 2025


Building Lasting Skill: The Uncomfortable Truth – Effort Pays Off. image
Building Lasting Skill: The Uncomfortable Truth – Effort Pays Off.

JUN 24, 2025