He earned his 1st degree black belt at the age of 14 when karate training was still considered more of an adult discipline. Prior to karate training, he was considered shy and quiet. After he started training, his teachers noticed a new confidence level, higher self-esteem and developments in his social interactions. As a young black belt, he managed and led classes of adults with a maturity level that gained him the respect of his older students.
As a competitor, he was ranked in the top 10 of the Northeast region, competing in both kata and kumite (forms and sparring), winning over 300 trophies. Tournament competition was a large part of his early black belt days and he developed a reputation as a strong competitor and was highly respected for his sportsmanship and conduct, win or lose.
His most recent participation in the 2010 USA Open Karate Championship and USA Karate Junior Olympics, held in Las Vegas, NV, earned him bronze medals in kata.
His father is Shihan Isaac Henry Jr., founder and 10th Degree Grandmaster of Beikoku Wado-ryu, the form of karate taught by Hanshi James. Beikoku translates to "American", Wado-ryu means "The Way of Peace and Harmony" and Shihan means Grandmaster. His brother, Hanshi Fred, also earned the rank of Kudan, or 9th degree black belt. Their mother, Renshi Katsuko Suzuki Henry (a.k.a. Master Mom), is a Godan, or 5th degree black belt. A true martial arts family!
Although karate is a demanding discipline which requires and develops a great deal of discipline, he understands that each student learns differently, and are sometimes challenged by attention deficit or just youthful distraction. His own difficulty in learning the early basics caused him to stop training for a brief period, but now this personal experience serves as a reminder to have patience with his students. He loves teaching karate and the relationship that is built between he and his students, and many of the parents, is a testament to the level of attention given to his student's growth. His students have fun learning and he has fun teaching.
After gaining experience in sales, account and team management, he retired from corporate
Hanshi James had hung up his belt for several years while pursuing his career in the corporate world. Conversations with an elder friend, now deceased, made it clear that teaching karate was his passion and the friend didn’t understand why Hanshi James was not teaching. Hanshi James attended the memorial service of another friend and was struck by the number of people, both kids and adults, that were impacted by the work of his friend. It became clear that he could make a much greater contribution teaching karate than working in the corporate world. Karate was in his blood, and teaching it is his calling. As a result he returned to teaching karate in 2000 and loves what he does.
In addition, Hanshi James and his partner, Linda Anderson, co-founded a business called Prosperity Circles. The common thread between Mojo Dojo and Prosperity Circles is an understanding of the impact of self-worth—mojo—on ones ability to thrive. Mojo Dojo helps people build self-esteem and self-confidence through the practice and discipline required to excel in martial arts. Prosperity Circles members learn to integrate financial and spiritual principles that bring them MOre JOy and financial well-being. The heart of the work is helping people re-shape their life and business to fit who they are and what’s important—but are afraid it won’t work financially.
Operating MOJO DOJO Karate after years of working in corporate
