Biography and Lineage

Clement G. Riedner began training in May of 1962, studying Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu Karate while in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed in Japan he studied mostly under a Japanese Air Force (JSDAF) NCO named Kayo-San and with fellow American student Richard P. Bailargeon. He also had opportunity to study with Soke Kuniba. Though many American servicemen studied karate in Japan at this time, few were able to take advantage of this opportunity as much as Soke Riedner. Before returning to the U.S., he was able to learn most of the kata of the Motobu-Ha system as well as some Kobudo from Soke Kuniba.

Soke Riedner receiving his Brown Belt from Kayo San in 1964.

In January 1965 Soke Riedner received his 1^st Dan from Kuniba becoming the second American to do so. After his tour in the Orient, Soke began attending college and to also study Hakko Ryu Ju-Jitsu under Shihan James A. Benko. He still continued his pursuit of Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu and earned his 2^nd Dan in that style while also earning his 4^th Dan in Hakko Ryu Ju-Jitsu in January 1969.

Group photo of Karate club from US Air base in Tokyo, Japan. Included in picture are
Soke Riedner, Siyogo Kuniba, and Kayo San.

In 1969 Soke began to work with Dr. R.J. Brown. Under Dr. Brown Soke received training in the Chinese branch of Kenpo and received his 3^rd Dan in 1975 and 4^th Dan in Aka Ryu Shakai Kenpo in 1978. Also during this period while living in South Carolina, Soke was able to make trips to Charleston, S.C. to train under Harold Martin. Martin was Soke-Dai of the Kamishin Ryu system. Kamishin Ryu was founded by Soke Albert C. Church and is the combination of Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu, Hakko Ryu Ju-Jitsu and an Art he inherited from Kooh C. Kim called ‘Shaolinji Tetseken Ryu Kempo.’ It was Soke Church who awarded Dr. Riedner a 5^th Dan in Kamishin Ryu in 1978 and recognized him as Shodai-Soke of ‘Shiho Karano Ryu’ on March 13, 1978. Soke Riedner has continued to study both hard and soft fist arts receiving his black belts in both American Goju and Isshin Ryu.

Dr. Albert Church Sigong Tamper

In June of 1980 Soke Church passed away, leaving Dr. Riedner the full sokeship of Shiho Karano Ryu. This position was further confirmed in 1988 when Sigong Andrew P. Tamper issued a letter of recognition to Soke Riedner and the Shiho Karano system. Sigong Tamper is the inheritor of the Chinese ‘Yee Chong system.’

Besides pursuing martial arts studies, Soke Riedner has achieved much in his academic career. Earning his B.A. and M.A. from Bob Jones University, another M.A. from Columbia Bible College, and finally his M.Div., Ph.D. and L.H.D. from Great Plains Baptist College. Armed with this education Dr. Riedner was awarded an appointment as a CAP/USAF Chaplain at the rank of Major. He is also a retired Army Reserve NCO. This background of hard and soft fist arts, education and military service has prepared Soke Riedner to lead an organization with the scope and emphasis of the CBBA/SKKI.