Zenryo Shimabukuro
Encyclopedia
was a karate master and the founder of Shorin-ryu Seibukan
karate
.
Zenryo Shimabukuro was born in Shuri, Okinawa
in 1908 http://www.aaakaratemn.com/pages/l-zenryoshimabukuro.htm. He earned his living as a baker and tatami
maker, but had studied karate under the karate master Chotoku Kyan. He began his training with Kyan in 1932, but trained with him until Kyan's death in 1945, excluding the years during World War II
, when karate instruction had ceased.
Following World War II, Shimabukuro opened his own dojo
, teaching karate out of his home. His students included his son Zenpo Shimabukuro and his nephew Zenji Shimabukuro, each of whom became karate masters in their own right. One of his early students was an American
paratrooper
named William Fuller Jr., who arranged for Shimabukuro to teach karate to some of the other American paratroopers stationed in Okinawa.
In 1960, he became president of the Okinawan branch of the Japan Karate-do Federation/All-Japan Karate-do Federation, though the branch later withdrew and became the Okinawan Karate-do United Association. In 1962, Shimabukuro founded his school, which he named Seibukan (meaning Holy Art School). In 1964 he was awarded a 10th dan
red belt
, which is the highest rank available within the Okinawan Karate-do United Association.
In 1967, the Okinawan Karate-do United Association became the All-Okinawan Karate-do Federation, with Shimabukuro continuing to serve as the organization's vice president.
On October 14, 1969, Zenryo Shimabukuro died of appendicitis
. His son Zenpo Shimabukuro became the master of the school his father had founded, Seibukan.
Shorin-ryu Seibukan
, also known as Sukunaihayashi, is one of the many Okinawan Shorin-ryu styles of karate. Seibukan was founded by Zenryo Shimabukuro in 1962.- References :* * * *...
karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
.
Zenryo Shimabukuro was born in Shuri, Okinawa
Okinawa Prefecture
is one of Japan's southern prefectures. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island...
in 1908 http://www.aaakaratemn.com/pages/l-zenryoshimabukuro.htm. He earned his living as a baker and tatami
Tatami
A is a type of mat used as a flooring material in traditional Japanese-style rooms. Traditionally made of rice straw to form the core , with a covering of woven soft rush straw, tatami are made in standard sizes, with the length exactly twice the width...
maker, but had studied karate under the karate master Chotoku Kyan. He began his training with Kyan in 1932, but trained with him until Kyan's death in 1945, excluding the years during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when karate instruction had ceased.
Following World War II, Shimabukuro opened his own dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
, teaching karate out of his home. His students included his son Zenpo Shimabukuro and his nephew Zenji Shimabukuro, each of whom became karate masters in their own right. One of his early students was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
paratrooper
Paratrooper
Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force.Paratroopers are used for tactical advantage as they can be inserted into the battlefield from the air, thereby allowing them to be positioned in areas not accessible by land...
named William Fuller Jr., who arranged for Shimabukuro to teach karate to some of the other American paratroopers stationed in Okinawa.
In 1960, he became president of the Okinawan branch of the Japan Karate-do Federation/All-Japan Karate-do Federation, though the branch later withdrew and became the Okinawan Karate-do United Association. In 1962, Shimabukuro founded his school, which he named Seibukan (meaning Holy Art School). In 1964 he was awarded a 10th dan
Dan rank
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
red belt
Red belt (martial arts)
A Red Belt is one of several colored belts used in some martial arts where each practitioner's level is marked by the color of the belt, these are most commonly those of Japanese or Korean origin...
, which is the highest rank available within the Okinawan Karate-do United Association.
In 1967, the Okinawan Karate-do United Association became the All-Okinawan Karate-do Federation, with Shimabukuro continuing to serve as the organization's vice president.
On October 14, 1969, Zenryo Shimabukuro died of appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
. His son Zenpo Shimabukuro became the master of the school his father had founded, Seibukan.
External links
- His official site (Japanese)
- Seibukan.org's biography of Zenryo Shimabukuro
- IOSSKA (International Okinawan Seibukan Shorin-ryu Karate-do Association) The Official International site
- Alaska/Northwest Seibukan (USA)
- Article about Seibukan karate with information about Shimabukuro (including photographs)