SHIMABUKURO, Eizo Grandmaster (1925- ) |
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In May of 1948, Shimabukuro O'Sensei opened his first dojo. This was the beginning of, what came to be, over 50 years of continuously teaching traditional karate. For 20 years the U.S. Marine Corp contracted Shimabukuro O'Sensei to teach their troops at several different dojo. To date, Grandmaster Shimabukuro estimates he has personally trained as many as 35,000 troops including Army and Air Force. For all he has contributed to karatedo, he continues to aid in its growth and development by sharing his knowledge with other followers of the art. Eizo Shimabukuro O'Sensei has taught hundreds of students, recording each one's name in a book that he takes on all of his tours. Thus, our history is recorded and the spirit of karate-do lives on.
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As Kyan Sensei's top student, Shimabukuro O'Sensei, born in the
village of Gushikawa on April 19, 1925, was left in charge of the
Shobayashi Shorin Ryu system at the time of Kyan's death. Having
received a Judan (10th Dan) red belt at the age of thirty-four in 1959,
Shimabukuro O'Sensei holds the distinction of being the youngest
person to ever achieve such an honor. His Judan was awarded by
Toyama Sensei and his certificate is No. 25. Toyama Sensei
also made him the Chairman of the Okinawan branch of the All Japan Karatedo League. Shimabukuro O'Sensei is currently the head
of the Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karatedo International Association
(OSKIA) League (In 1994, Shimabukuro O'Sensei changed the association name on his certificates to indicate "OSKIA" instead of the
All Japan Karatedo League.). O’Sensei was honored with a
Judan certificate from the Rengokai Association of Okinawa. 
