SEIBUKAN
SHORIN RYU SEIBUKAN
The chief instructor of the Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Seibukan Karatedo in Switzerland is Jun Sensei. He was exposed to Karate at an early age in his hometown of Bulan where he frequently visited the local Karate Dojo to watch the trainings and tournaments. Karate was taught at that time only to adults. He then formally started his training at the age of 17 when he entered college in Manila under a Japanese instructor. Whe he came to Zürich, Switzerland he continued his training in Asia Sport Center in Zurich for many years under Hwa Chin Yaw Sensei. Along the way, he also trained in Shito-Ryu Seikokai Karate and came to know many other Karate instructors, some among them very respectable and true to their art and some who turned out to be not worthy of the art and tradition. Jun Sensei had also learned other martial arts like Kungfu and the so called internal martial arts like Tai Chi . But at the bottom, he considers himself a Karateka and prefers to teach and concentrate on this traditional Okinawan art because of its focus on discipline, respect and gratitude on one side, and of the simplicity and effectivity of its techniques on the other side.
Jun Sensei is a direct student of Grandmaster Zenpo Shimabukuro of Okinawa, the son of the founder of Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Seibukan Karatedo, Great Grandmaster Zenryo Shimabukuro, himself a student of Chotoku Kyan, one of the greatest figures in the history of Okinawan Karate.
Karatedo, like any other art, unfolds its true meaning to the practitioner only after decades of hard training and dedication, not after a short burst of fanatic training for some months. A true art simply needs a lifetime of study and practice. It is with this understanding that Jun Sensei approaches Karatedo, the way of the empty hand.
HISTORY
Master Kyan Chofu & Chotoku
Kyan Chotoku Sensei was born in 1870 into a wealthy family in Shuri, Okinawa. He was the youngest of the family with two elder brothers and three sisters.
Kyan Chotoku's father Kyan Chofu was 31 years old when Kyan Chotoku was born. He was an administrator for king Sho's family properties. Kyan's mother Mamutsu was from the Katsuren clan.
His father taught him karate at a very young age and at the age of 16 he was introduced to the great Karate-ka Matsumura Sokon. As an official of the king of Okinawa, Kyan Chofu gave his son access to education, culture and instruction with some great Okinawan teachers.
The Early Days
In the earliler days of krate, Sensei would only teach a few kata. Kyan Chotoku was able to gain instruction from six different masters.
Matsumura Sokon from Shuri
Matsumora Kosaku from Tomari
Pechin Maeda from Tomari
Pechin Oyadomari Kokan from Tomari
Yara from Chatan
Student of Pechin Tokumine from Yaeyama
The Kata Ananku was developed by Kyan Chotoku Sensei.
Seisan & Gojushiho
Chinto
Wansu
Passai
Kusanku
Tokumine no kun
Late 1920
In the late 1920's, Kyan Chotoku Sensei moved to the village of Kadena. A School headmaster introduced him a new student. Shimabukuro Zenryo from chatan, a baker by trade.Shimabukuro Zenryo sensei studied with Kyan Sensei for 10 years until Kyan Sensei's death in 1945.
1945
After the death of his Sensei and the end of WW II, Shimabukuro Zernyo Sensei resumed teaching Sukunaihayashi Karate-do.
All training was cunducted outside as he had no formal dojo facility. Years later he trained his son Shimabukuro Zenpo, presently the Supreme Sensei of Seibukan, and his nephewShimabukuro Zenji.
1962
AIn 1962, Shimabukuro Zenryo Sensei built a dojo at his home with the name Seibukan,the Holy Art School. He was a highly respected member of his community and recieved recognition for his contributions to the local community and betterment of the okinawan people.
1964
Shimabukuro Zenryo Sensei was one of the founding members of the Chubu Shorin-ryu organization.
In 1964, he was awarded the highest rank in karate (10th Dan red belt) by the Karate-do federation of Japan. During the american occupation of okinawa, he was asked to teach american service men who were stationed there during the Vietnam war. From this engagement, Seibukan karate grew to America and other countries. At the age of 61 in 1969, Shimabukuro Zernyo Sensei passed away. Today his legacy lives on through his son Shimabukuro Zenpo Sensei, Supreme Sensei of Seibukan Karate-do
Shimabukuro Zenpo Sensei
Seibukan Karate-do and the International Okinawan Seibukan Shorin-ryu Karate-do Association (IOSSKA)
are led by Shimabukuro Zenpo, 10th Degree Red Belt Hanshi. Shimabukuro Zenpo Sensei has traveled all over the world to spread his knowledge of Seibukan. With his teachings focused on his strong belief that karate is not a sport but for real life situations. Shimabukuro Zenpo Sensei was introduced to Chozo Sensei by his father. Chozo Sensei was a direct student of Motobu Choki and Chibana Chosin. From his training with Nakama Sensei he learned Pinan, Naihanchi , Jion and the not so known kata Passai Guwa
Today
From his leadership and vision, Seibukan Karate-do has grown in many countries around the world.
Europe, The Middle East, India, Asia, America, Mexico and mainland Japan. With his son,
Shimabukuro Zenshun, they both support all Seibukan Karate-ka around the world.