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Okinawa Karatedo Old Grandmaster Stories
by Grandmaster Eizo Shimabukuro
Grandmaster Eizo Shimabukuro began the practice of Karate at the age of 13 under Master Choto Kian. Master Choto Kian practiced and taught Tomarite, which he passed on to young Eizo. At the age of 15, young Eizo could no longer afford to train at Master Kian's Dojo. He then began training with his older brother, Tatsuo.
At the age of 16, Eizo moved to mainland Japan without his father's consent. There he worked in various warehouses and mills. Eizo found Master Choki Motobu and began his studies under him at the age of 16. He continued his studies until the age of 19, when he was drafted into Imperial Japanese Navy. After 5 months, Eizo was injured in a shipyard accident. Eizo remained hospitalized until the end of the war, when he was discharged at the age of 19.
Two years later, he returned to Okinawa. Less than one year later, he began instructing in the ways of ShorinRyu Karate. While instructing others, Grandmaster Shimabukuro continued his studies. He studied under Master Chojyn Miyagi, where he learned GojuRyu. From these studies, he drew two kata that he incorporated into ShorinRyu. Seeking a different Master under which to train, be began training under Master Jenjo Shimabukuro. Master Jenjo Shimabukuro was a student of Master Choto Kian, under whom Grandmaster Eizo Shimabukuro began his studies.
At 32 years of age, Grandmaster Shimabukuro began teaching at ShorinRyu Headquarters, as well as at Marine Corps camps Hansen and Schwab. Desiring to broaden his style of ShorinRyu, he sought Master Chibana to learn techniques of Shurite (the style of Shurite Castle guards). Too old to teach, Master Chibana sent Eizo to Master Nakasato (a student of Master Chibana). Grandmaster Shimabukuro then incorporated Shurite into ShorinRyu.
At 41, Grandmaster Shimabukuro moved his school to outside Camp Hansen. There, he continued to teach locals and U.S. Military personnel for 20 years. Grandmaster Shimabukuro is also master of Okinawan Ju-Jitsu, or Tuite.
In 1964, Grandmaster Shimabukuro wrote this book to convey the acts of the Masters of Karate to the Japanese public. In 1974, he extended Okinawa ShorinRyu Karate to the United States. The book has now been translated into English for his students, as well as the general public, in the United States.
If you are interested in obtaining an autographed copy of Okinawa Karatedo Old Grandmaster Stories, a lmited number of copies are available for $24.95 (plus $4.95 for shipping and handling). To order your copy, please print one of the order forms, from below, and mail it with your payment to:
Winchester Rendokan 265 Boot Hill Drive Winchester, TN 37398
