| History of Soke Shigeru Kimura |
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Shigeru Kimura Sensei Kimura was born in Kobe on March 2,
1941. After having tried judo and kendo, at 16 he began
learning karate with Sensei Chojiro Tani (1921 - January,
1998). At 21 he won the All Japan Championships. He repeated
the win the following year. Even though successful Kimura
doubted the effectiveness of his karate, so he decided to try full
contact fighting with other students. The punches were fast, but
much less effective than he had expected, this frustrated him
and he began his life long search for greatness.
Without the slightest knowledge of English Sensei Kimura left
Japan in 1965 for Africa, he taught in Zimbabwe, Mozambique
and South Africa. The first country where he was to stay longer
and have a considerable influence on karate was South Africa.
Wherever the Master was at work, successful schools with well-
trained instructors were the result.
His search led him to Europe, where he then settled in England.
Ultimately, his journey ended in the USA where, thanks to
Sensei Kidachi - a renowned Judoka, he settled and opened his
first Dojo. The Dojo soon became too small and Sensei Kidachi
was again at hand as they set about looking for a larger training
establishment. The two masters remained close friends and
visited one another often.
The Shukokai Headquarters was set up in Hackensack New
Jersey and would remain so for 18 years. Sensei Kimura was
then 37 years old and one of the youngest ever to have held the
7th Dan with an acknowledged style.
Sensei Kimura married Kaoruin 1980. She lent more serenity to
his life and gave him a solid foundation apart from his Karate
Students.
Sensei organised the first Shukokai World Tournament in the
USA in 1981 - an event that established itself and has since then
taken place every two years. Shukokai Karateka from all over
the world were now visiting the headquarters regularly. Even
Karateka of other styles often sought advice from Sensei
Kimura as well.
He continued to develop the Tani-Shukokai further, something
which constantly challenged, irritated, and frustrated but above
all brought his students further. He revolutionised his entire
Shukokai once again. The manner of practicing Shukokai now
differed considerably from the Tani style, which is why the term
Kimura's Shukokai is used today. In 1991 Kimura's Shukokai
was being practiced world-wide by 20,000 students in 14
countries. Currently there are over 20 countries and 50,000
students.
Even in his later years, Sensei remained innovative and open.
Students who were closed to developing further were out of
place with him, proof of which were the numerous partings of
ways. Sensei Kimura - a man of no compromise; his influence is
still present and the newly formed Kimura Shukokai
International organization comprises 20 countries and
thousands of participants.
In 1987 Sensei Kimura had already begun contemplating the
replacement of his Dojo, which was too small and somewhat
run-down. To everyone's delight, he was able to fulfil the dream
of having his own new headquarters, this time in Tenafly, New
Jersey. This Dojo was beautiful and professional, with a kitchen,
recreation room, large training room and the option of
overnight stays.
Sensei Kimura, full of plans for the future, died suddenly of a
heart complications at the age of 54. At the time of his death,
Sensei Kimura was 9th Dan in ranking. He has been
posthumously promoted to 10th Dan and granted the title Soke
(founder of a style) by his 4 principal 8th Dan students who are
Shukokai’s current chief instructors. Shihan’s Bill Bressaw
(USA), Eddie Daniels (UK), Lionel Marinus (South Africa) and
Chris Thompson (South Africa) carry on the style and the
techniques taught to them by Kimura.
Many of the long term students have opened Dojo’s around the
world. In the spirit of Soke Kimura's dream, Shukokai
continues to host world tournaments in different countries
every 2 years and the chief instructors from around the world
meet for training sessions regularly. In the spirit of budo we
honor our master.
1941. After having tried judo and kendo, at 16 he began
learning karate with Sensei Chojiro Tani (1921 - January,
1998). At 21 he won the All Japan Championships. He repeated
the win the following year. Even though successful Kimura
doubted the effectiveness of his karate, so he decided to try full
contact fighting with other students. The punches were fast, but
much less effective than he had expected, this frustrated him
and he began his life long search for greatness.
Without the slightest knowledge of English Sensei Kimura left
Japan in 1965 for Africa, he taught in Zimbabwe, Mozambique
and South Africa. The first country where he was to stay longer
and have a considerable influence on karate was South Africa.
Wherever the Master was at work, successful schools with well-
trained instructors were the result.
His search led him to Europe, where he then settled in England.
Ultimately, his journey ended in the USA where, thanks to
Sensei Kidachi - a renowned Judoka, he settled and opened his
first Dojo. The Dojo soon became too small and Sensei Kidachi
was again at hand as they set about looking for a larger training
establishment. The two masters remained close friends and
visited one another often.
The Shukokai Headquarters was set up in Hackensack New
Jersey and would remain so for 18 years. Sensei Kimura was
then 37 years old and one of the youngest ever to have held the
7th Dan with an acknowledged style.
Sensei Kimura married Kaoruin 1980. She lent more serenity to
his life and gave him a solid foundation apart from his Karate
Students.
Sensei organised the first Shukokai World Tournament in the
USA in 1981 - an event that established itself and has since then
taken place every two years. Shukokai Karateka from all over
the world were now visiting the headquarters regularly. Even
Karateka of other styles often sought advice from Sensei
Kimura as well.
He continued to develop the Tani-Shukokai further, something
which constantly challenged, irritated, and frustrated but above
all brought his students further. He revolutionised his entire
Shukokai once again. The manner of practicing Shukokai now
differed considerably from the Tani style, which is why the term
Kimura's Shukokai is used today. In 1991 Kimura's Shukokai
was being practiced world-wide by 20,000 students in 14
countries. Currently there are over 20 countries and 50,000
students.
Even in his later years, Sensei remained innovative and open.
Students who were closed to developing further were out of
place with him, proof of which were the numerous partings of
ways. Sensei Kimura - a man of no compromise; his influence is
still present and the newly formed Kimura Shukokai
International organization comprises 20 countries and
thousands of participants.
In 1987 Sensei Kimura had already begun contemplating the
replacement of his Dojo, which was too small and somewhat
run-down. To everyone's delight, he was able to fulfil the dream
of having his own new headquarters, this time in Tenafly, New
Jersey. This Dojo was beautiful and professional, with a kitchen,
recreation room, large training room and the option of
overnight stays.
Sensei Kimura, full of plans for the future, died suddenly of a
heart complications at the age of 54. At the time of his death,
Sensei Kimura was 9th Dan in ranking. He has been
posthumously promoted to 10th Dan and granted the title Soke
(founder of a style) by his 4 principal 8th Dan students who are
Shukokai’s current chief instructors. Shihan’s Bill Bressaw
(USA), Eddie Daniels (UK), Lionel Marinus (South Africa) and
Chris Thompson (South Africa) carry on the style and the
techniques taught to them by Kimura.
Many of the long term students have opened Dojo’s around the
world. In the spirit of Soke Kimura's dream, Shukokai
continues to host world tournaments in different countries
every 2 years and the chief instructors from around the world
meet for training sessions regularly. In the spirit of budo we
honor our master.
