Sensei Charles began his karate training in 1972 under the severe and demanding instruction of Soshu Shigeru Oyama, building a foundation rooted deeply in traditional Kyokushin values and discipline. In 1976, he earned his Shodan (Black Belt) certification under the guidance of Soshu Shigeru Oyama and Shihan LaMatina. He later continued his training under Grand Shihan Hollingsworth for more than four decades, further refining both his technical skill and understanding of martial arts philosophy.
While attending college, Sensei Makemson taught karate and self-defense classes in Springfield and Albany. Over the years, he expanded his martial arts knowledge through additional training in Judo, Aikido, and Tai Chi, contributing to a well-rounded and open-minded approach to instruction.
By 2002, Sensei Makemson was actively teaching throughout the Lehigh Valley. In 2022, he founded the independent Ookun-No-Yama Dojo, a school dedicated to preserving and honoring the principles and traditions passed down through both Oyama lineages while remaining open to practical and evolving training methods.
In 2023, Sensei Charles was awarded the rank of San-dan by Shihan Y. Suzuki of the World Karate Alliance Kyokushin Byakurenkai in Tokyo, recognizing decades of dedication to the art of Kyokushin karate.
Ookun-No-Yama is a traditional Kyokushin karate dojo rooted in lineage, discipline, and practical martial development. Located in Kutztown, our school honors the teachings passed from instructor to student through generations of dedicated martial artists. For us, lineage is more than history — it is proof that the values, methods, and spirit of the art have endured through time.
Our training is built upon the core foundations that have made Kyokushin respected throughout the world: toughness, martial prowess, discipline, and peace of mind. Through rigorous conditioning, kata study, knockdown sparring, and demanding belt examinations, students develop both physical capability and mental resilience. The confidence earned through hard training carries beyond the dojo into everyday life. After enduring the challenges of Kyokushin, life’s obstacles rarely seem quite as intimidating.
At the same time, Ookun-No-Yama believes tradition should not mean stagnation. While remaining deeply committed to the principles of classical Kyokushin, we maintain an open-minded approach to training. In addition to kata and traditional knockdown karate, students are exposed to point sparring, face punches, grappling concepts, flexibility training, and modern methods that enhance overall martial effectiveness. This balanced philosophy allows students to preserve the spirit and discipline of traditional karate while developing practical, adaptable skills.
Whether your goal is self-defense, personal growth, physical conditioning, or the pursuit of lifelong martial arts study, our dojo provides an environment where hard work, humility, and perseverance are valued above ego. We believe true martial arts training should challenge the body, sharpen the mind, and strengthen the character of every student who steps onto the mat.
