Grand Master Eizo
Shimabukuro considers himself most fortunate to have had great
Sensei. They are:
Grand Master Eizo Shimabukuro began his Karate training under
Chotoku Kyan
in 1937. In 1938, Grand Master Eizo Shimabukuro started training
with Chojun
Miyagi, founder of Goju-ryu Karate. Grand Master trained
simultaneously with Master Kyan and Master Miyagi. Grand Master
Eizo Shimabukuro also trained with older brother
Tatsuo Shimabukuro (1908-1975), the founder and creator
of Isshin-ryu Karate. In 1943: Stationed in Osaka, Japan—Grand
Master Eizo Shimabukuro trained with legendary karate master,
Choki Motobu.
Okinawa 1948, Grand Master Eizo Shimabukuro opened his first
dojo.
Eizo received 10th degree certification from Kanken Toyama
(1888-1966) in 1961. At 36 years of age, Eizo had the distinction
of being the youngest Judan ever. Grand Master Eizo Shimabukuro,
now 77 (78 on Okinawa) is active as ever, teaches 6 nights a
week at the Hombu dojo in Ginoza Son.
In the early 1960s, Grand Master Eizo Shimabukuro went to Chosin
Chibana (1885-1969), who was then in his late seventies and
Itosu’s oldest living student. Grand Master Eizo Shimabukuro
asked Chibana to correct his kata. Grand Master Eizo Shimabukuro
was concerned about the discrepancies gradually emerging in
the various Shorin-ryu styles in Okinawa. Shimabukuro was a
tenth dan at the time he appealed to Chibana. Out of respect
for Chibana, Shimabukuro removed his red belt and wore a white
belt while being corrected. This action demonstrated Grand Master
Shimabukuro’s strong desire to retain the purity of Shorin-ryu.
* from Shorinryu
Karatedo
