HISTORY
Gichen Funakoshi was born in Shuri, Okinawa in 1868. Funakoshi started karate at an early age. Funakoshi was small weak and frail, and it was suggested that karate would be a good way to strengthen his body and become stronger.
Funakoshi studied karate under Anko Itosu, Anko Asato, Sokon Matsumura, Seisho Arakaki and Shinken Taira. Funakoshi was also a poet and would later pen his name as "Shoto". This would later become part of his new style called "Shotokan". Shotokan is one of the largest styles still practiced today with millions of practioners.
In 1917 Funakoshi travelled to the mainland of Japan along with Ryusho Sakagami and Kenwa Mabuni to introduce karate to the people of Japan. Again in 1922 Funakoshi returned to Japan by invitation of Jigoro Kano(Judo Master) and performed a karate demonstration for the Japanese people at the Kodokan(Japanese Training Hall)
When Funakoshi arrived by train to Japan, he was greeted by officals who asked "Do you know where the great Karate Master Funakoshi is?" Funakoshi, whos stature was small did not seem like the type of person that would be a great legend of karate. However, Funakoshi spoke up and stated, "Why, I am Funakoshi!" The officals were somewhat surprised because they expected a large robust individual to appear, not a small weak looking middle-aged man.
After his demonstration at the Kodokan, everyone was thrilled and excited about this new art form called Kara-Te or as we speak it now, KARATE.
Karate is actually two words, KARA meaning "Empty" and Te which means "Hand" Combined it is the Art of self defense using the "Empty Hands"
Karate is a combination of hard and soft techniques passed down throughout the generations and whos origins go back to China where the art of Kung Fu originated.
Gichin Funakoshi
1868-1957
"Father of Karate"
After World War II, American military set up a base on Okinawa, which is still there today. Servicemen were able to learn karate and bring it back to America. One of the first American places to practice this new art form was Hawaii.
Robert Trias
1923-1989
(Founder of United States Karate Association)
Est 1948
Robert Trias was one of the first American Karate Pioneers having learned martial arts in the Soloman Islands in 1945. Mr Trias first learned martial arts from a Chinese missionary named Tung Gee Hsiang.
Mr Trias learned Okianwan Shuri-Te from Choki Motobu in Okinawa. He also later learned Kempo from Hoy Yuan Ping. Trias was also a 6th degree blackbelt in Judo.
Trias was the first to host a karate tournament in the United States in Chicago of 1966 called the "1st World Karate Tournament. "
Trias's organization would later be named the United States Karate Alliance (USKA) which is still hosting tournaments today throughout the South and Southwest United States.
Ryusho Sakagami
1915-1993
Founder of
Itosu-Kai
Ryusho Sakagami trained under Kenwa Mabuni in the art of Shito Ryu in 1937. Sensei Sakagami had reached "Shihan" by 1941 and later went on to found the Itosu-Kai Organization. Fumio Demura was one of his most predominant students.
Born in Yokohama, Japan in 1938. Fumio Demura moved to the United States in 1965 after having won the All Japan Karate Championships in 1964. Sensei Demura started learning martial Arts at the age of 7 studying Kendo. At age 12 he started studying Itosu-Kai Shito Ryu karate under Master Ryusho Sakagami.
Fumio Demura
1938-2023
Founder of
Genbu-Kai
Mr Demura received his 1st degree blackbelt in 1956 and won the East Japan Championships the following year in 1957.
In 1965 Fumio Demura was invited to the United States to help teach karate with Dan Ivan in the art of Shotokan.
In 1959 Sensei Demura's had the opportunity to train under legendary weapons Master Taira Shinken
Dan Ivan
1930-1997
Dan Ivan was a Shotokan Instructor in the early 1960's. Dan Ivan was instrumental in bringing Sensei Demura to the United States in 1965 after traveling to Japan and being introduced to him by his friend Sensei Donn Draeger. Sensei Demura went on to teach Shotokan at Dan Ivan's dojo for many years until Dan Ivan sold the dojo to Sensei Demura. Sensei Demura continued to operate the dojo and taught Shito Ryu karate until his passing in 2023.
Fumio Demura was one of the first Japanese instructors to publish one of the first ever karate books in America. Sensei went on to publish dozens of books on Kobudo and film Karate videos over his 50+ years of karate instruction.
Taira Shinken
1897-1970
Kobudo Master
Taira Shinken was born in Nakazato Village, Okinawan Prefecture in 1897. He was the grandson of a famous weapons master named Kanagawa Gibu. Sensei Shinken is considered the most influentual weapons instructor of his time in Okinawa. Having learned weapons from Yabiku Moden in 1929.
Is of Dr Monreau
1977
Japanese Village and
Deer Park Show
In 1965 shortly after arriving in the United States, Fumio Demura quickly made a name for himself. Having been the first to bring Shito Ryu to America, he was a pioneer and inspired many others during karate's early days in America. Well known actors like Bruce Lee, Chuck Norrris and Steven Segal all learned from Sensei Demura in the 70's ,80's and 90's. Sensei Demura got his film careeer started with his first stunt man job on the Island of Dr Moreau in 1977. He later went on to star in many major motion pictures including; The Karate Kid movie francise, were he stunt doubled for Pat Morita. He also had parts in Mortal Kombat, Raising Sun, Ninja, The Warrior Within,Blood and Bones, and Shootfighter,
Sensei Demura also performed live stage acts at Japanese Village and Deer Park in Buena Park in 1970's. until the Japanese village closed in 1974. After the park closed Sensei Demura was invited to perform a show in Las Vegas for the next two years at the Hilton, called the Karate/Samurai Show. To this day, Sensei Demura is the only Karate instructor to have his own show in Las Vegas!
In addition to the numerous books and videos produced, Sensei Demura was on the cover of dozens of martial arts magazines over the years
Sensei Demura's most famous role was in the Karate kid with Ralph Maccio and Pat Morita
Sensei Demura over his 75 years of karate training and teaching, has truely become America's Karate Sensei and his legacy and all those he has inspired over the decades will carry on with his teachings and inspire the generation to come!
Our Organization
Fumio Demura started the Shito Ryu Karate-Do Genbu-Kai International Organizationin 1993