SOKE MASAHARU SAKIMUKAI (1943~2010) aka Grand Master M. Sakimukai founded "Chintokan Karate-do," "Hakushin Ryu Ryukyu Kobudo," "USA Jodo Federation - Beikoku Shudokai," "Kenbukan Iai-do," "World Martial Arts Research Association" and "Sakimukai's Ryukyu-Te Self Defense."  He was born on January 25, 1943 in Kagoshima, Japan.  Opened the first Chintokan Karatedo dojo in Jyuso, Osaka, 1962.  Opend his first US Chintokan dojo on Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington, DE, 1980.  Built a 5000 sq/ft Chintokan World Headquarters THE "So Honzan" dojo in Jacksonville, FL, 2005.

(1943~2010) Soke M. Sakimukai

"Train the inside, then the outside... Then the result and what shows outside is the true "ART OF BUDO." --- M. Sakimukai In essence, our approach to budo is described in Soke M. Sakimukai's maxim and it teaches that the internal development supports the external traits.  A practitioner of TRUE art of budo, should first focus on art of the Inside, emphasizing the mind, spiritual and emotional disciplines.  Alongside this follows art of the Outside, or the skill aspects such as the law of physics, range of motion, bodily composition, conditioning and so forth.  Then, just like making of the masterpiece swords, repetitious "Fold and Pound."  Meaning practice, practice and practice!!! This emphasis on the internal development that grows from the study of Soke M. Sakimukai's budo philosophy brings a sense of integrity where ethical action and moral certainty naturally develop within the students at So Budo Kai Dojo.

"3 DO HANSHI"  三道範士

• Hanshi, 9th Dan in Karate-Do
• Hanshi, 10th Dan in Iaido
• Hanshi, 10th Dan in Jodo

Soke Sakimukai was a "San Do Hanshi" received the title "HANSHI" in 3 art forms: Karate-Do in 2001, Iai-Do in 1996 and Jo-Do in 1997.  Soke Sakimukai also received Karate-Do Meijin in 2010, and Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo Menkyo Kaiden from the 15th Headmaster Soke Hosho Shiokawa in 1995.  Received Jo-Do Menkyo from the 26th Shindo Muso Ryu Headmaster Shihan (Tou) Ichizo Otofuji in 1991.

He became "Soke" when his Chintokan Karate-Do, as well as Hakushin Ryu Ryukyu Kobudo were recognized as his own style.

Photo - 1963

Short-Bio

Soke Sakimukai's first martial art exposure was basic Judo training at very young age, he was taught by his father before entering an elementary school.  Upon entering elementary school at age 7, he began to train Judo for his school club.

Few years later, in the same school gym where students trained Judo, Kendo and/or other sports, young Sakimukai witnessed a man practicing Karate for the very first time.  This man was practicing a kata.  Young Sakimukai was much mesmorized by this new art he just witnessed, however, he was more shocked to realize there is this martial art a person could train without a partner.

At this time in a small town of "Chiran" in Kagoshima prefecture where Soke Sakimukai was born, he felt no one could keep up the Judo training by his side.  He always felt training with a partner had too many variables and restrictions until he had finally found the art of karate.  He could now train wherever and whenever he wanted to and without waiting for anyone.  I could practice by myself he said.  So Young Sakimukai immediately began to imitate the man's movements.

In 1957, at age 14, young Sakimukai formally began his first karate training at Shorinji Ryu Renshinkan dojo under Soke Tamotsu Isamu. Renshinkan was first Karate dojo in Kagoshima prefecture and Soke Sakimukai trained there for 4 years and received 2 Dan.

In the Spring of 1962, Soke Sakimukai decided to moved to bigger and more challenging city, Osaka from his little hometown Kagoshima.  In Osaka, Soke Sakimukai met Shihan Zenji Shimabukuro of Seibukan Karate-Do (aka Chubu Shorin-ryu), who is cousin to Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro (Okinawa Shorin Ryu Seibukan) and nephew of Hanshi Zenryo Shimabukuro.

Shihan Zenji Shimabukuro was Soke Sakimukai's first "Seibukan" Karate-Do teacher but also respected each other like the brothers.  They would train all day and night whenever possible as they lived together as room mates for 4 years.

Later Soke Sakimukai was granted to go to Okinawa and train under Shihan Zenji Shimabukuro's uncle - the aforementioned Hanshi Zenryo Shimabukuro at Seibukan dojo.  Before Soke Sakimukai was allowed to train under Hanshi Zenryo Shimabukuro though, he was asked to leave and inspect other martial arts dojo on the island.  Hanshi Zenryo Shimabukuro wanted the young Sakimukai to be abosolutely certain of his decision to study Kyan's Shorin-Ryu under his instruction before he made the commitment, so he checked all the dojo around and returned to ask again.  He was accepted.

When Soke Sakimukai returned to his home state in 1969 after his chosen Karate-Do mentor Zenryo Shimabukuro passed away, he began to expand his Chintokan Karate-Do organization.  In 1970, added 2 dojo(s) in the cities of Amagasaki and Makurazaki.  By 1973, he added 7 more Chintokan dojo(s) in the following cities; Okayama, Tokyo, Nagoya, Kagoshima, Kaseda, Chiran, and Kawanabe.

In 1976, Soke Sakimukai visited USA for the first time and taught at Pennsylvania, Delaware and Mexico Seibukan Karate-Do dojo(s) for three months.  Three years later, in 1979, he visited USA another three months and taught more at Pennsylvania, Delaware and Florida Seibukan Karate-Do dojo(s).  The next time, he thought, he would move his family to the US.

In 1980, he moved his family to Newark, DE, USA.  Upon arrival to the US, Soke Sakimukai began supporting USAKF/AAU (USANKF has the current NGB) which was recommended by the chief director of the JKF-Renbukai at the time.  USAKF, under the leadership of late Hanshi George Anderson, was the National Govening Body for sport karate in the US at the time.  In 1992, Soke Sakimukai became a prestigious International WUKO Judge, currently this organization is called the WKF, and it is the Intenational Governing Body for the Japanese "Kyogi" Karate recognized by the International Olympic Committee.  As an International WUKO Judge, Soke Sakimukai supported the International Karate-Do competitions worldwide for many years.

(photo taken 1976)