Kobudo

The style of Okinawa kobudo that we practice is Ryukyu Kobudo Shinkokai which was founded by Katsuhiko Minowa, a direct student of Shinken Taira. Anyone interested in training in this well rounded and challenging classical system may contact us at kowakan@telus.net

Shinken Taira

Shinken Taira was born Shinken Maezato on the tiny Island of Kumejima in the Village of Nakazato, in what is now Okinawan Prefecture, on June 12, 1897. Taira first learned the fundamentals of bo and sai from Gichin Funikoshi before beginning training with Moden Yabiku. During Taira's study under Yabiku , he mastered the use of such weapons as the: Bo (6' staff), Eku (oar), Sai (metal truncheon), Tonfa (right angled hand truncheon), and Nunchaku (wooden flail). He rounded out his studies with Shito-ryu founder Kenwa Mabuni. In 1933 he received his formal teaching licence.

Taira founded an organization to preserve the weapons and techniques he had mastered calling it "the Society for the Preservation and Promotion of Ryukyu Kobudo - "Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai". He passed away in 1970. His tradition was carried on by several students, including Katsuhiko Minowa, Eisuke Akamine, Motokatsu Inoue, Masahiro Nakamoto and others.

Katsuhiko Minowa

Katsuhiko Minowa began studying kobudo under Shinken Taira in 1960. In 1970 he had received his teaching license in Kobudo from Taira. He served on the executive of the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai while a student of Taira and later when Akamine Eisuke took over the position as 2nd president. He established his own dojo in Matsukawa-cho, Naha, which he ran from 1970 to 1977. He then turned over responsibility for the Matsukawa dojo to his most senior student Masakazu Kinjo and returned to Amami Oshima, his place of birth. He established his own association, the Ryukyu Kobudo Shinkokai, and began teaching Ryukyu Kobudo until he retired from full-time teaching. At this point, the Amami dojo was turned over to his most senior student there, Hiroshi Yoshimura.

Hiroshi Yoshimura

A native of the island of Amami Oshima in Kagoshima Prefecture, Yoshimura Hiroshi began his Ryukyu kobudo training under Minowa Katsuhiko upon the latters return to Amami in the mid 1980's. After Minowa sensei retired from active teaching, the Amami dojo was turned over to Yoshimura sensei. Yoshimura sensei is currently ranked 7th dan in Ryukyu Kobudo. We are fortunate to have him as our chief instructor.