Shodo is the art form of painting
Japanese characters with a brush. Translated as the “Way
of the Brush”.
About Dan Popp
Dan Popp has been involved in Isshin Ryu karate for nearly 30 years. In 1990, Dan began his study of Kendo (traditional Japanese swordsmanship) under Duk Yeong Kim Sensei, a master of this martial art as well as the art of Shodo or Japanese calligraphy. Although Kim Sensei passed away in 2007, Dan continues to practice Shodo to honor his teacher. Kim Sensei learned this art form in Korea from Shin Tae Sik, also known as Tei Seki.
Dan has promoted two tournaments for the World Kumdo Association (Korean Kendo) in Harrisburg, PA. The 1st World Kumdo Association tournament held August 1998 and the 2nd U.S. Open Kumdo Championships held August 2001 where he received the Kumdo Ambassador Award. Recently, Dan was named Isshin Ryu Karate’s 2008 Male Instructor of the Year, awarded by the International Isshinryu Hall of Fame in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
In addition to his Isshin Ryu training under Toby Cooling Hanshi, Dan also studies Modern Arnis and Kombatan, stick fighting arts from the Phillippines. Dan is currently working to publish two books on his late Kendo and Shodo sensei.
Credentials
2008 – Member Board of Directors
Order of Isshin Ryu Karate
2006 - 5th dan black belt
Order of Isshin Ryu Karate
2004 – 4th dan black belt
Kendo
Education
The Pennsylvania State University
1994 – Bachelor of Science – Professional Accountancy
Harrisburg Area Community College
1992 – Associate of Arts – Business Administration
Affiliations & Organizations
Art Association of Harrisburg (Harrisburg, PA)
Japan Society (New York, NY)
Mulberry Art Studios (Lancaster, PA)
Order of Isshin Ryu (Elkton, MD)
Penn State Alumni Association
The New Beginning Gallery at Hager (Lancaster, PA)
York Art Association (York, PA)
Awards
2008 – Male Karate Instructor of the Year
International Isshin Ryu Hall of Fame (Gatlinburg, TN)
2001 – Kumdo Ambassador
World Kumdo Association (Harrisburg, PA)
About Dan Popp
Dan has promoted two tournaments for the World Kumdo Association (Korean Kendo) in Harrisburg, PA. The 1st World Kumdo Association tournament held August 1998 and the 2nd U.S. Open Kumdo Championships held August 2001 where he received the Kumdo Ambassador Award. Recently, Dan was named Isshin Ryu Karate’s 2008 Male Instructor of the Year, awarded by the International Isshinryu Hall of Fame in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
In addition to his Isshin Ryu training under Toby Cooling Hanshi, Dan also studies Modern Arnis and Kombatan, stick fighting arts from the Phillippines. Dan is currently working to publish two books on his late Kendo and Shodo sensei.
Credentials
2008 – Member Board of Directors
Order of Isshin Ryu Karate
2006 - 5th dan black belt
Order of Isshin Ryu Karate
2004 – 4th dan black belt
Kendo
Education
The Pennsylvania State University
1994 – Bachelor of Science – Professional Accountancy
Harrisburg Area Community College
1992 – Associate of Arts – Business Administration
Affiliations & Organizations
Awards
2008 – Male Karate Instructor of the Year
International Isshin Ryu Hall of Fame (Gatlinburg, TN)
2001 – Kumdo Ambassador
World Kumdo Association (Harrisburg, PA)