About Us

Janice Bass

Florida

Biography

Janice started in martial arts at age 17. Always being drawn to trying different things, she took advantage of the opportunity when approached to join a new karate school to learn self defense. Although she became discouraged at times, with encouragement Janice persevered, even keeping the school going when the original instructors left. Over time Janice has taught in various locations, eventually opening up a commercial school in 1994 in Fort Myers, Florida. Having been introduced to various martial arts by Sensei Joe Bass, she took up the study of other arts. Janice has achieved the ranks of Nidan in Kendo, and Shodan in Iaido. Following the death of her husband in 2001, Janice consciously chose to remain with Shohei/ Uechi Ryu, Kendo, Iaido, and Kobudo to promote their growth, helping others to use these arts to better their lives and develop self achievement. Janice believes in the many facets to the arts and that one just needs to stay on that continued conquest of the search for knowledge.


Contact Me

Personal Information

Current occupation or profession	Instructor
Marital Status	Widow
Hobbies, special interest or skills	Equestrian, Youth ministry
Age	47

Karate Information

Current Rank	Godan
Total Years of Study	31 Years
Current Style	Shohei/Uechi Ryu
Current Dojo	Bushi-Kan Martial Arts School
Dojo Location	Labelle, St. Myers, Punta Gorda (Florida)
Current Instructor	Jack Summers
Association Affiliation	Okikukai, American Uechi Ryu Karate Association
Karate and other Martial Training and years attended	a. Uechi-Ryu: James Thompson Seminars: 1994 & 1996; 2000 & 2001, 2002. b. Uechi/Shohei: Jack Summers: 2000, 2001, 2003 c. Training seminars: Peggy Hess: Bushi Kan Dojo: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 d. Kendo: SEUSKF: promotional/training; 1998, 1999 e. Bushi-Kan Kendo Training seminars: 1998-2003 f. Iaido: Shimabukuro Seminar: 2000 g. Iaido Taikai Pretournament Training Seminar: 2000 h. Kendo Training Seminar at the Shidoguakin Dojo in Miami with Kato Sensei, 2000
Other Martial Arts or Weapons Studies	a. Kendo (Japanese fencing) Nidan b. Iaido (sword drawing) Shodan c. Joryu (short staff) Shodan d. Bojitsu (long staff) e. Aikido f. Jujitsu

Karate Promotions

Rank	Certificate Number	Date Of Issue	Location Of Promotion
Ikkyu	007 (Uechiryu Florida Assoctiation)	1973	Florida
Shodan	691	August 3, 1974	Florida
Nidan		August 13, 1976	Florida
Sandan	243 Soke Shubukan	July 18, 1999	Florida
Yondan	007	February, 12, 1994
Godan	368	February 1, 2003	Florida

 Educational Background

High School	Coconut Creek High School, Coconut Creek, Florida

Questions:

At what age did you begin to study karate?
17 years old

Why did you choose to study karate?
It was popular, and looked interesting

Was there a reason why you chose to study Uechi Ryu?
Someone I knew was going to open a school in my area.

What does this tour to Okinawa mean to you?
A dream since I first started, interested in seeing where its roots are.

How has your martial arts study affected or changed your life?
Since I’ve been teaching and studying my whole adult life, it is my life.

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