A big thanks to JJ Walsh for her very kind invitation to appear on her program
James Pankiewicz is a martial arts practitioner based in Okinawa, Japan. He provides guided tours around the island specializing in sites related to the fighting arts history. He also coordinates and manages martial arts events such as seminars, training camps and exhibitions. James founded Challenge Okinawa company to better deliver these services to both visitors and local clients.
He has spent 30+ years training in primarily karate, kobudo and jujitsu. A university graduate in Japanese language, he has spent many years since 1996 living and studying in mainland Japan and Okinawa. He moved to Okinawa in 2009. In 2011, he opened The Dojo Bar, a meeting place for martial arts enthusiasts in Okinawa.
In Okinawa he teaches at his dojo, the Asato Dojo, and continues his own studies with several Okinawan teachers including Arakaki Toshimitsu Hanshi (Matsubayashiryu) and others.
Currently holds 5th Dan rank in Matsubayashiryu karate and kobudo.
In 2014, James created the 100 Kata for Karate Day Challenge event, which rapidly became a worldwide martial arts event led from Okinawa, the home of kobudo and karate. Inspired by the global popularity of the Karate Day event he added the 100 Kobudo Kata Challenge in 2015. Thousands of martial arts practitioners around the world join these events every year.