Kenkojuku student of Gichin Funakoshi. He was a member of Funakoshi's karate association the Dai Nihon Karate-do Shotokai. In 1942, Okano was given permission to start a karate research club named Kenkokai Karate-bu in his hometown of Hachiōji, Tokyo. The club was started with the help of Suzuki Shinjo, Kaneko Isamu and Takagi Yoshitomo. He renamed the dojo Kenkojuku Budokan in 1948. Okano's karate was influenced by both Gichin and Gigo Funakoshi, and eventually this branch of Shotokan became known as Kenkojuku Shotokan. He retained the Shotokai lineage as well as the name Shotokan. Okano was on the panel of Masters
Ryu (Street Fighter) "". He was also planned to appear in the now-cancelled game "Mega Man Universe". A Ryu-inspired costume for players to use in Sony's "LittleBigPlanet" was released in 2008 as downloadable content for the title. A special downloadable episode in "Asura's Wrath" allows players to fight both Ryu and Evil Ryu. Ryu also appears as a playable character via downloadable content in the Nintendo crossover fighting games "Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U" along with a stage based on his arena from "Street Fighter II" known as Suzaku Castle. Ryu returns in the sequel "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate"