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Introduction
On this page is the background history of this Shin-ryu Martial Arts System, it's Style and the Dojo which is founded, established and based on the teachings and lessons of the Founders and Teachers who are directly responsible for the growth and development of some of the most highly honored and respected Martial Arts systems in the world.
You will also learn how all of these relate to eachother and the importance of the Traditional Ways handed down through the centuries.


The Great Masutatsu Oyama - Founder: Kyokushinkai
Masutatsu (Mas) Oyama was born Yong I-Choi on the 27th of July, 1923, in a village not far from Gunsan in Southern Korea. At a relatively young age he was sent to Manchuria, in Southern China, to live on his sister's farm. At the age of nine, he started studying the Southern Chinese form of Kempo called the Eighteen hands from a Mr. Yi who was at the time working on the farm. When Oyama returned to Korea at the the age of 12, he continued his training in Korean Kempo.

In 1938, at the age of 15, he travelled to Japan to train as an aviator, to be like his hero of the time, Korea's first fighter pilot. Survival on his own at that age proved to be more difficult than he thought, especially as a Korean in Japan, and the aviator training fell by the wayside.

He did however continue martial arts training, by participating in judo and boxing, and one day he noticed some students training in Okinawan Karate. This interested him very much and he went to train under O-Sensei Gichin Funakoshi at his dojo at Takushoku University.

His training progress was such that by the age of seventeen he was already a 2nd dan, and by the time he entered the Japanese Imperial Army at 20, he was a fourth dan. At this point he also took a serious interest in judo, and his progress there was no less amazing.

The defeat of Japan and the subsequent indignity of Occupation almost proved to be too much for Mas Oyama, who nearly despaired. Fortunately for all of us, So Nei Chu came into his life at that time. Master So, another Korean (from Oyama's own province) living in Japan, was one of the highest authorities on Goju-ryu in Japan at the time. He was renowned for both his physical and spiritual strength. It was he who encouraged Mas Oyama to dedicate his life to the Martial Way. It was he too who suggested that Oyama should retreat away from the rest of the world for 3 years while training his mind and body. In conjunction with his training with Master So, Mas Oyama studied Goju-ryu Karate extensively under Master Gogen Yamaguchi, and became Vice Chairman in the organization, holding a 9th Dan degree.

When he was 23 years old, Mas Oyama met Eiji Yoshikawa, the author of the novel Musashi, which was based on the life and exploits of Japan's most famous Samurai. Both the novel and the author helped to teach Mas Oyama about the Samurai Bushido code and what it meant. That same year, Oyama went to Mt. Minobu in the Chiba Prefecture, where Musashi had developed his Nito-Ryu style of swordfighting. Oyama thought that this would be an appropriate place to commence the rigours of training he had planned for himself. Among the things he took with him was a copy of Yoshikawa's book. A student named Yashiro also came with him. Oyama's sponsor would bring food supplies to them once a month.

The relative solitude was strongly felt, and after 6 months, Yashiro secretly fled during the night. It became even harder for Oyama, who wanted more than ever to return to civilization. So Nei Chu wrote to him that he should shave off an eyebrow in order to get rid of the urge. Surely he wouldn't want anyone to see him that way! This and other more moving words convinced Oyama to continue, and he resolved to become the most powerful karate-ka in Japan. Soon however, his sponsor informed him that he was no longer able to support him and so, after fourteen months, he had to end his solitude.

A few months later, in 1947, Mas Oyama won the karate section of the first Japanese National Martial Arts Championships after WWII. However, he still felt empty for not having completed the three years of solitude. He then decided to dedicate his life completely to karate-do. So he started again, this time on Mt. Kiyozumi, also in Chiba Prefecture. This site he chose for its spiritually uplifting environment.

This time his training was fanatical - 12 hours a day every day with no rest days, standing under (cold) buffeting waterfalls, breaking river stones with his hands, using trees as makiwara, jumping over rapidly growing flax plants hundreds of times each day. Each day also included a period of study of the ancients classics on the Martial arts, Zen, and philosophy.

After eighteen months he came down fully confident of himself, and able to take control of his life. Never again would he be so heavily influenced by the society around him. (Though it is probably safe to say that his circumstances were also probably never again as traumatic!)

In 1950, Sosai (the founder) Mas Oyama started testing (and demonstrating) his power by fighting bulls. In all, he fought 52 bulls, three of which were killed instantly, and 49 had their horns taken off with knife hand blows. That it is not to say that it was all that easy for him. Oyama was fond of remembering that his first attempt just resulted in an angry bull. In 1957, at the age of 34, he was nearly killed in Mexico when a bull got some of his own back and gored him. Oyama somehow managed to pull the bull off and break off his horn. He was bedridden for 6 months while he recoverd from the usually fatal wound. Today of course, the animal rights groups would have something to say about these demonstrations, despite the fact that the animals were already all destined for slaughter.

In 1952, he travelled the United States for a year, along with Joe Lewis (American Boxing Champion) and Max Baer (American Wrestler), demonstrating his karate live and on national televison. During subsequent years, he took on all challengers, resulting in fights with 270 different people. The vast majority of these were defeated with one punch! A fight never lasted more than three minutes, and most rarely lasted more than a few seconds. His fighting principle was simple - if he got through to you, that was it. If he hit you, you broke. If you blocked a rib punch, your arm was broken or dislocated. If you didn't block, your rib was broken. He became known as the Godhand, a living manifestation of the Japanese warriors' maxim Ichi geki, Hissatsu or "One strike, certain death". To him, this was the true aim of technique in karate. The fancy footwork and intricate techniques were secondary (though he was also known for the power of his head kicks).

It was during one of his visits to the United States that Mas Oyama met Jacques Sandulescu, a big (190 cm and 190 kg of muscle) Romanian who had been taken prisoner by the Red Army at the age of 16, and sent to the coal mines as a slave labourer for two years. They quickly became friends and remained so for the rest of Oyama's life, and Jacques still trains and acts as advisor to the IKO(1) to this day.

In 1953, Mas Oyama opened his first "Dojo", a grass lot in Mejiro in Tokyo. In 1956, the first real Dojo was opened in a former ballet studio behind Rikkyo University, 500 meters from the location of the current Japanese honbu dojo (headquarters). By 1957 there were 700 members, despite the high drop-out rate due to the harshness of training.

Practitioners of other styles came to train there too, for the jis-sen kumite (full contact fighting). One of the original instructors, Kenji Kato, has said that they would observe those from other styles, and adopt any techniques that "would be good in a real fight". This was how Mas Oyama's karate evolved. He took techniques from all martial arts, and did not restrict himself to karate alone.

The Oyama Dojo members took their kumite seriously, seeing it primarily as a fighting art, so they expected to hit and to be hit. With few restrictions, attacking the head was common, usually with the palm heel or towel-wrapped knuckles. Grabs, throws, and groin attacks were also common. Kumite rounds would continue till one person loudly conceded defeat. Injuries occurred on a daily basis and the drop out rate was high (over 90%). They had no official do-gi and wore whatever they had.

In order to test his own abilities, Mas Oyama decided to perform a three hundred man kumite (fight) in three days. He chose the strongest students in his dojo to fight him one at a time. After each had a turn, they started from the beginning again until all three hundred fights were completed. Each student had to face Mas Oyama about four times over the three days, though some never made it past the first day due to Oyama's powerful blows. He defeated all of his opponents, never wavering in his resolve, despite the fact that he was injured in the process. Legend has it that Mas Oyama was willing to go for a fourth day, but no opponents were willing or able to do so.

In 1952, Mas Oyama gave a demonstration in Hawaii. A young Edward Bobby Lowe saw him and was stunned by the power Oyama demonstrated. It was not as though Bobby Lowe was inexperienced in martial arts. Though still quite young, his achievements to date were not much less than those of Mas Oyama himself. His father had been a Kung Fu instructor, and he had participated in any fighting art he could find. By the age of 23, he was yondan in judo, nidan in kempo, shodan in aikido, and a highly regarded welterweight boxer.

It was not long before Bobby Lowe became the first Kyokushin uchi deshi or "live-in student" of Mas Oyama's. He trained daily with Mas Oyama for one and a half years. Eventually, an uchi deshi's time became "1000 days for the beginning". These uchi deshi became known as Wakajishi, or the "Young Lions" of Mas Oyama and only a few of the hundreds of applicants were chosen each year for the privilege of training full time under the Master.

In 1957, Bobby Lowe returned to Hawaii to open the first School of Oyama outside Japan.

The current World Headquarters were officially opened in June 1964, where the name Kyokushin, meaning "Ultimate Truth" was adopted. In the same year the International Karate Organization (IKO) was established. From then, Kyokushin continued to spread to more than 140 countries, and registered members exceed 12 million making it one of the largest martial arts organizations in the world. Among the the better known Kyokushin yudansha (black belts) are Sean Connery (Honorary shodan), Dolph Lundgren (sandan, former Australian heavyweight champion), and President Nelson Mandela of South Africa (Honorary hachidan), and most recently (June 1988), the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard (Honorary godan) who was awarded the grade at the official opening of the Sydney Kyokushin dojo.

Sadly, Mas Oyama (a non-smoker) died of lung cancer at the age of 70 on April 26, 1994.

Mas Oyama's unexpected death left his organization, the International Karate Organization (IKO), in a very confused state. Prior to his death, he stated in his will that Yukio Nishida would be his successor to lead the IKO, but on his deathbed he apparently named Akiyoshi Matsui, then Godan (5th Dan). This has resulted in a splintering of the IKO into a number of groups, each of which claims to be the true successor to Mas Oyama's organization.

Even though Akiyoshi Matsui was left in charge of the organization this appointment has had many political and economic ramifications throughout the Kyokushin world, which are still being resolved. It has even been suggested, not entirely in jest, by one Kyokushin writer in Australia (Harry Rogers) that maybe Oyama created the turmoil on purpose, because he didn't want Kyokushin to survive without him! It is however reasonably certain that all Kyokushin groups, regardless of their ultimate allegiance, still maintain the standards set by Mas Oyama.

Maybe a Kyokushin diaspora will be a good thing, since in all good families, some of the children eventually do leave home and start their own families. Some of the splinter groups may remain faithful to the Kyokushin principles, such as Hanshi Steve Arneil in Great Britain did in 1991. Many others, such as Shigeru Oyama and Tadashi Nakamura in the U.S., have taken it further by developing their own styles based on Kyokushin.

Today, the IKO, headed by Kancho Shokei Matsui, Kyokushin is one of the largest Karate organizations in the world with over 12,000,000 members in 140 nations/countries worldwide.

Mas Oyama is also noted for starting the Full-Contact, Bare-Knuckle tournament system.

1958 January, publishes "What is Karate" which becomes a best seller of 500,000 copies.
September, invited by FBI in Washington D.C. for Karate instructions and demonstrations.
October, invited by West Point Military Academy for Karate instructions and demonstrations.

1964, Thai Boxing challenges Karate-do, where Oyama Dojo alone accepts. 3 matches 2 wins.

1971, though a popular comic book series "Karate Baka Ichidai," and the movie "World's Strongest Karate" in 1975, his name and that of Kyokushin become known all over Japan.

1975, helds Kyokushin Kai's First World Karate-do Open Tournament.


Grandmaster Tadashi Nakamura - Kyokushinkai / Founder: Seido Karate
Teaching Karate-Do

Interview with Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura, founder and Chairman of the World Seido Karate Organization

By Christopher Caile

Nakamura still speaks with somewhat of a Japanese accent. His use of words and sentence structure in this interview has been retained as much as possible to give a better sense of the person and flavor of his speech.

Caile: Do you think with the rise in popularity of karate that karate-do is still understood and taught today?

Nakamura: What I would like to say is that modern karate is now quite popular compared to the past. There are more people studying karate, more people teaching and more schools compared to before, not only in America but in Japan and elsewhere too. One good thing is that now people have more places to study karate. But, at the same time, I'm a little afraid of the kind of quality of teaching. Something is missing. The spiritual and mental aspect is getting less and less. This has happened as karate has become more popular and taught in more and more places. People are just taking karate as a kind of exercise, for self-defense, as a type of aerobic exercise that is also good for a diet. Others just see a flashy way, or way that looks good, but the mental spiritual aspect is getting less which I think now is a very dangerous situation. This means that while there are now many karate dojos, or schools, available, the instructors, what we call shidosha or sensei, are teaching only karate, but not karate-do. This is the big difference compared to the past.

My experience is that karate should be for, not just how to fight or defend yourself, but it should also be more rounded to include mental and spiritual aspects. Particularly what we call traditional karate should include physical, mental, and the spiritual. They should be well balanced but right now, even though there are many instructors available, they are teaching only how to kick and punch and missing "do." Now since modern karate, also more emphasis on competition and tournaments. Result is people always more pay attention to who is going to be grand champion, or who is going to fight who and say, "maybe he is going to win" or "she is going to win" -- a kind of game is only concern. Just only who is strong physically, who is strongest. People are paying most attention to the way people compete.

Caile: So how do you teach karate-do versus regular karate and what do you emphasize?

Nakamura: So the way we call dojo, it means a place you find out about yourself, place you find enlightenment, place you find your way, your sincere way. It's not a gym, club, a place of socializing or getting a date, but place to study own self, to learn techniques but also gain spiritual and mental knowledge. I hope each student studies karate, their dojo is also like a second home. Each time you come you feel so comfortable, but also appreciate and feel more serious too, similar feeling to when you go to church, or when you go to special ceremony place. You feel like, kind of dignity.

It's also very important, the way as teacher to make a good program, what we call curriculum - it means the way you study. You have to make sure you have a good system. Each level has a certain amount of material a person has to learn, step by step, instead of all right way. In some systems right away after you a little bit understand basics, you begin fighting. The dojo is not just to produce fighters. The karate dojo is not like a factory for producing strong fighters. This way so often people get injured, they get discouraged or uncomfortable, then discontinue training. That's why it's very important, way you set up the system the proper way so people continue. Then everyone can benefit.

Karate is not just fighting but also how you control your mind, which is your temper, your discipline and your morals. We request student have to take meditation class. At end I give a simple lecture about karate-do attitude, spirit, practice or way to live. In these classes students learn and have a better chance to understand themselves, to look at themselves, more inside and see what they are, what is missing, and reflect also on other people. Maybe they realize, "I'm still immature and that I have to grow and to continue to polish myself." As a teacher I am concerned individually because each student is physically and mentally different. Conditions not exactly same for everybody, and some physically not well. But karate should be for everybody, so especially in Seido we open to everybody, even mentally learning disabled people, homeless children, deaf students, blind people - there is room for everybody, even some domestic violence situation people. Still they can study karate to develop more inner strength to take care of your life.

A student taking a written exam as part of her promotion. Students are asked to write short essays explaining what they have learned, such as: "Why do you study Seido Karate?"; Why do we bow and say "OSU'"?; or for a discussion of the meaning of a particular Japanese saying or phrase.

So in the Seido system during promotions we ask students to write down their thoughts on training, our organization and philosophy, and what they have learned. At the black belt level, students talk to other students and teachers about essays they have written. We expect their words to be genuine and sincere and to come from their heart. We also stress etiquette, not just in the dojo but extended to everyday life too. It teaches respect of others, and it is also mental training toward a way of the spirit. Those who have difficulty with etiquette show their difficulties inside, maybe ego, lack of self-respect or other problems. Courtesy and manners require self-control, discipline and sensitivity to others -- what is necessary to change one's self, what is necessary to take control of one's life and future.

Way I believe, to study karate-do is the way of your life, but as karate-ka each karate-ka has responsibility to be more open, to use whatever you learn from karate-do to apply in your every day life - the way you control your emotions, your temper, morals, discipline, how you behave. To the extent you are using, you are becoming more true karate-ka. That means a strong, true karate-ka is not just how many tournaments you compete and how many times you get to be champion, first place, or grand champion. It is not. People think, "How many times I have received Grand Champion, that's why I am a great karate-ka." Sometimes people feel like this. But how strong you are inside which means how you dedicate your life, how you carry on your discipline, that is important. That's why it is so important to maintain and show discipline in the dojo. Especially in Seido, we have so many different types of people, handicapped people, learning disabled, all different, but still those people seriously learn karate. Then we all more realize and appreciate what we have and how lucky we are.

Caile: What about spirit?

Nakamura: Through study of karate students can develop a non-quitting spirit. It doesn't matter if you are a woman, your sex or age, but as long as you study karate you can develop a strong spirit, a non-quit spirit. This because throughout our life there is always something happening, but each time something happens you take it as a challenge, and even if you fall down you take it as your challenge. You say, "This is a way I can grow. This way that I can enrich myself." Then with positive attitude, can face problems, can face obstacles. You can kind of fight back. You develop an attitude as how to carry on and live life. A good punch is fine. A good kick is fine. But what really is really important is your strength inside. That is what allows to meet life's challenges. That is what people respect -- how you dedicate yourself, how you dedicate you life.

Caile: You mentioned before that karate-do leads to enlightenment, what do you mean by enlightenment?

Nakamura: Yes, enlightenment, word has so much of a big meaning. In a way, we don't realize the reality of our daily life. Even with important things, we don't pay attention. So, kind of funny -- when we study hard and train hard in karate-do it sometimes, kind of, hits you. "Why I so much complain and blame people when the problem is the way I am inside." That is a great thing, a great understanding. You can say this is one type of enlightenment because you find out where lots of problems really are. In yourself.

In my meditation class lectures I talk about old Japanese saying: "It is easier to find thief in a mountain than thief in your heart." When thief runs away to a big mountain and somewhere hides, he is difficult to find. There are hundreds and hundreds of acres, caves and crevices. But really more difficult to find thief in own mind. That thief takes from you, denies something that is yours. That thief is our ego, something that always tries to grow. It robs spiritual progress, hinders learning and making of deep relationships. Ego builds walls inside and tells us, we must protect ourselves, or that we already know so we don't have to listen. So easier to find thief in mountain than ego in mind. It is true. We think we have no ego problems, but as we cannot spot thief in mountain, may not see ego in our own mind. So we must constantly guard against.

Caile: So what do you think about so many karate-ka no longer wearing plain white uniforms that symbolized "do" and instead using those that are multi-colored?

Nakamura: Sometimes people, too much commercialize. They have different color uniforms, patches all over, stripe all over, flashy-- but you know, its not how you look, how you impress or enjoy the color. Pure simplicity, that is such an important thing. That's why our uniforms are white. The way we study karate, each time we do kiai with strong punch, strong kick --- There is an expression in Japanese, "Ichi Geki Hissatsu," meaning, "To kill with one punch" It means not really killing someone else, but killing own ego. That's why important to have good etiquette and show respect. It's not always easy but by doing we control ego. It's important. Make sure your ego is little. Make sure your ego cut. Make sure it not grow. Polish self and help in dojo. Do little things, like helping clean floor after class. This is still part of each one's training. Respect yourself, respect others and make sure dojo clean for people who come later. Help dust off, polish, mirror clean, spotless if possible. Make sure floor no dusty.

Caile: So in Japan, with so much emphasis on competition and being strong, is real karate-do being lost?

Nakamura: Still some people continue karate-do, but unfortunately often more the opposite way with people teaching only competition karate, but not karate-do. More and more people, they extremely just concerned with fighting aspects -- who is going to be strong, who is champion, who will be next. It's too much becoming like a game and less mental and spiritual. It's missing karate-do. I'm not 100 percent against a tournament or championship. It's OK. You can do it, but sometimes people think karate equals tournament, karate equals full contact, karate equals championship. Then if you are not involved, don't compete or participate in tournament, people think you are not a strong karate-ka, or maybe you are not qualified as a good karate-ka. Some people think like, "How many times did you compete, did you compete all Japan tournament, or world tournament?. If you did not compete -- "ahh, you must not be a strong guy." You know, that's ridiculous way of judgment. That's really missing karate-do. It doesn't matter if you didn't get a place, that you didn't get the grand champion. What matters is the way you dedicate your training and study of karate-do and dedicate yourself, how you help your community, how you contribute to your country or society -- that's a big difference.

Kaicho Nakamura, 9th dan, was formerly the top student of Kancho Masutatsu Oyama in the Japan Kyokushinkai organization. Already a top Japanese fighter he became internationally famous with his 1966 victory against the famous Thailand kick boxing (Muay Tai) champion known as the "Green Tiger" as part of a three member Kyokushinkai team that was victorious over their Thailand challengers. Soon afterwards he was made Chairman of the North American Kyokushinkai Organization and traveled the world giving demonstrations, clinics and seminars. Later he was awarded his seventh dan in the organization. In 1976 Nakamura founded and became Chairman of the World Seido Karate Organization ("Seido" meaning Sincere Way) and established the Seido Juku headquarters in New York City. It has grown into one of the largest and most respected dojos in the city. He is the author of many books on karate including Karate, Technique and Spirit, The Human Face of Karate, and One Day, One Lifetime, An Illustrated Guide to the Spirit, Practice and Philosophy of Seido Karate Meditation. Nakamura's karate is noted for its focus on teaching of the mental and spiritual aspects of karate and for his belief that karate should benefit everyone, not just the young and the strong. In his dojos Nakamura stresses the importance of having a feeling of family and sense of mutual support rather than competition. This has not hindered the development of top tournament fighters, however, with many become national champions and grand champions. Unlike many karate organizations Seido is also noted for both the number of adult students (some still practicing into their 70's) and women students . There are also special teaching programs for the physically handicapped. Nakamura, himself, projects a strong charismatic personality and image that would be intimidating if it was not punctuated by an engaging sense of humor and warmth. He voices strong beliefs about karate and his organization but also projects a genuine caring about his students. As a leader he has engendered a fierce loyalty and dedication among students. This has produced a base of long-time seniors many who have followed him for 20, 30 or more years and helped his organization grow worldwide.




Grandmaster Shigaru Oyama - Kyokushinkai / Founder: World Oyama Karate

Shigeru Oyama was born in Tokyo on July 7th, 1935. After beginning the study of karate at an early age and attending Japan University, he became a professional karate master, having trained with and under Mas Oyama during the early days of the development of Kyokushin.

Undefeated in tournament bouts throughout Japan, he fought the 100-man kumite in the mid-60's, and rose to the rank of Grand Master.

In 1967, the then Saiko Shihan came to White Plains, New York. Recognized as the top Japanese karate master and an international authority on Kyokushin karate, he was selected to introduce traditional Japanese karate adapted to a modern system to American students.

All worldwide Kyokushin champions subsequently travelled to New York to train under his tutelage, coming from Japan and Europe, as well as throughout the US.

In addition to his teaching and mentoring duties, Shigeru Oyama has written three volumes on karate, including the prize-winning novel U.S. Karate Adventure.

He is the current chairman of WORLD OYAMA KARATE, which became an independent organization in 1981 and is headquartered in New York City.

In October 1985, he received a citation for professional excellence presented by President Ronald Reagan at the the Whitehouse.

One of Shigeru Oyama's demonstration favourites is the sword catch, where a samurai sword is drawn down at his head and he "claps" to catch it between his palms. It is said that he once missed catching it, whereupon he rose (with a gash to his head) and said something to the effect that he needed to go to the hospital for this one!




Grandmaster Lee H. Park - Moo Sul Kwan Hapkido






Saiko Shihan Jose C. Tolbe, Sr.



Dr. James Mitose

James Mitose was born in Hawaii in 1916, then sent to Japan at a young age to learn his family’s tradition and their martial art, Kosho-ryu Kempo (Old Pine Tree School) from his grandfather, Sukuhei Yoshida, and Choki Motobu.

There is some question about this relationship, it may be that Mitose never met Choki Motobu but might just have been influenced by his writings and learned from his students. In any case, the story goes that Kosho-ryu Kempo had roots from the seventeenth century, when two Japanese families (Kumamoto and Nagasaki) brought a version of Shaolin Ch'uan Fa (Chinese Kempo) to the city of Kyushu in Japan. Kosho-ryu was developed by the Koshopi monks of Japan who combined Jujitsu and other Japanese cultural tradition with this and other Shaolin systems brought to Japan from China.

Kosho-ryu is a spiritual/philosophical system that includes many of the martial arts known today.

In the 1930's Mitose returned to Hawaii and taught the art to the American soldiers stationed on the Island.

In 1942 he started the "Official Self-Defense Club" at the Beretania Mission gym in Honolulu, where he taught his families Kosho-Ryou Kempo art to the public.

Among his students were William K.S. Chow, who would become one of Kenpo's most noted instructors.

Much of what is now Kenpo came from James Mitose's Kosho-ryu Kempo.

Mitose left Honolulu around 1949.

To be continued...




Professor William K.S. Chow - Karaho-kempo

Kwai Sun (William) Chow, also known as Professor Chow was born in 1914. He learned and started his martial arts training studying Five Animal Shaolin Kung Fu from his father, Hoon Chow.

William Chow was a student of James Mitose for many years. Eventually he united, like many Kempo masters before him the arts of Kosho-ryu Kempo and his family Kung Fu to form a new art which he would eventually name Kara-ho Kempo.

In 1949, Chow had attracted a number of students to his own teachings and opened a dojo of his own at a local YMCA. To make a distinct variation from Mitose's Kempo, Chow initially referred to his art as Kenpo Karate. Also adding to the mixing of the arts, some of Mitose's students including Mr. Chow’s brother, John Chow Hoon, and possibly Chow himself were also students at the Danzan-Ryu JuJutsu dojo of Henry Seishiro Okazaki. All were influenced by Okazaki, who had blended a number of styles to form a complete system.

Throughout the next few decades Chow made many innovations to the system including the use of circular techniques of his Kung Fu, as well as various kata or forms based on the primary linear and circular techniques of his art.

William Chow's Kenpo was a quick, vicious style, which allows a defender to defeat more than one attacker simultaneously. He was reportedly both a great martial artist and innovator and a deadly combatant.

Among his students were prominent martial artists like Ed Parker (the founder of American Kenpo Karate) and Adriano Emperado (the driving force behind the founding of Kajukenbo).

William Chow died in 1987.




Monk & Master Saneh Kiettisamutchi (Second in line).











Morehai Ueshiba - Founder of Aikido






Gogen Yamaguchi - Goju-ryu / "The Cat"





Photos Not Available:
Stephan Blanco
Shihan Ray Salazar
Saiko-Shihan Fujio Ishida
Grandmaster Stanley Fong
We are working very hard to find photos of these teachers. Some teachers do not like to have their pictures taken and we have been looking for years to try and find at least one of some of these. Please bear with us. Thank you.

Osu


Email: shin-ryu@wellsnevada.org

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