Morio Higaonna
Goju-ryu Designated 2013
Dates of birth and death 1938 –
He studied the Goju-ryu under Miyazato Ei’ichi and Miyagi An’ichi starting in 1955. Later, he moved to Tokyo and started teaching karate. In 1979, he founded the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-Do Federation (IOGKF) and opened the Higaonna Dojo in Naha in 1982. A world championship is held once every four years, and there are branches in more than sixty countries.
Masahiro Nakamoto
Kobudo Designated in 2013
Dates of birth and death 1938-
Kobudo. In 1958, he studied under Chibana Choshin. In 1969, he was granted his licenseto teach kobudo by Taira Shinken. Later, he studied the bo under Soken Hohan, the bo and sai under Uehara Seikichi, and was also instructed by Maeshiro Chotoku and MiyahiraKatsuya, becoming a master at both kobudoand karate. In 2004, he established the Okinawa Traditional Kobudo Federation.
Kotaro Iha
Kobudo Designated 2020
Dates of birth and death 1939-
From 1958, he studied under the Shorin-Ryu founder Choshin Chibana. He learned Karate under Yuchoku Higa, and Kantoku Izumikawa, a leading disciple of “a master of Bo, Oshiro”. Additionally, he learned Karate and Kobudo from Hoei Ishikawa, a Nunchaku, Sai, and Kama user. In 1973, he opened the Kobudo Dojo Shudoukan in Uruma City. In 1981, he formed the Ryukyu Kobudo Ryukonkai. Then in 2004, he contributed to the establishment of the Okinawa Prefecture Kobudo Federation.
Masanari Kikukawa
Goju-ryu Designated 2020
Dates of birth and death 1946-
Since 1963, he has studied Karate from Eiichi Miyazato, a disciple of Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-Ryu. Since 1983, he has participated in the National Sports Festival (male section) and has won championships. In 2005, he opened Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate Association Kikugawa Karate dojo. In 1983, he received the Excellent Athletes Award (Akagi National Athlete) and created the Goju-Ryu Karate textbook. He also serves as a lecturer at the Okinawa Karate World Seminar.
Shintoku Takara
Uechi-ryu Designated 2020
Dates of birth and death 1930-
From 1950, he studied under the founder of Uechi-Ryu, Kanbun Uechi, and the eldest son of Kanbun Uechi, Kanei Uechi. Since 1960, he has been working as a master at the Futenma Shubukan, Uechi-Ryu Soke Dojo. In 1967, he was appointed as a teacher of Kara-te. From 1990 to 2001, he contributed to popularize the Uechi-Ryu in Boston, Massachu-setts and in other regions of the United States. He also created the foundation for the Uechi-Ryu after the war. He has continuously contributed to guide many younger genera-tions.
Tutomu Nakahodo
Uechi-ryu Designated 2020
Dates of birth and death 1933-
In 1951, he studied under his father, Sanzo Higa (Shorin-Ryu). From 1964, he studied under Seiko Toyama, a direct disciple of Kanbun Uechi, the founder of Uechi-Ryu, as well as Seiyu Shinjo, a disciple of Kanei Uechi. In 1968, he strived to open the Uechi-Ryu Onna village Shubukan and Naha Shubukan. In 1970, he was appointed as a master of Uechi-Ryu. Since 1975, he has been active as a karate lecturer in North America and Europe including the Karate Kobudo Seminars. He has also been committed to teaching younger generations.
Morinobu Maeshiro
Shorin-ryu Designated 2020
Dates of birth and death 1945-
In 1960, he learned from Katsuya Miyahira, a disciple of Shuri-te Anko Itosu and a disciple of Choshin Chibana, the founder of Shorin-Ryu. In 1970, he was appointed as a master by the Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karatedo Association. Since 1974, he has participated in exchange performances in the Philippines, Europe, South Africa, etc. and has worked as a lecturer at seminars. In 1989, he opened the Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Shidokan Museijuku dojo. Since then, he has strived to promote the Okinawa Shorin-Ryu and guide younger generations.
Iha Seikichi
Shorin-ryu Designated 2020
Dates of birth and death 1932-
In 1950, he studied under Gusukuma Shinpan Sensei and served as his assistant during his latter years. After Gusukuma died in 1954, he became a disciple of Miyahira Katsuya (Hanshi, 10th Dan), a holder of an Intangible Cultural Asset Holder in the category of Okinawa Karate and Kobujutsu, who continued the practice of Shuri-te. In August 1963, he was sent to the Philippines to promote Okinawan karate. In 1967, Miyahira entrusted him to popularize this martial art in the US, and he began teaching at places such as the Los Angeles Okinawa Kenjinkai “Okinawa Club.” Later, he established the Okinawan karate dojo “Shureikan” and began seriously teaching Okinawan karate. In April 1969, he fulfilled his long-held dream of opening the “Shidokan” dojo and appeared in martial arts magazines and on television in Los Angeles to promote and teach traditional Okinawan karate. With more than 30 branches in 15 states in the US, he conducts international seminars in over ten other countries.