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![]() THIS PAGE HAS BEEN UPDATED PLEASE RE-DIRECT BY CLICKING HEREO'Sensei Richard KimPh.D., Hanshi Judan (Nov 17th, 1917 - Nov 8th, 2001) "His Life" By Kurt Nordli 1925: He began training in both boxing and judo. With his boxing he spent many hours in the local boxing clubs. His judo training was under Kaneko-sensei. 1927: This is when sensei met Yabu Kentsu (the sergeant) at the Nuuanu YMCA and studied karate basics for a year. ![]() (Yabu Kentsu 1863 - 1937) 1928: After training under Yabu Sensei Kim further continued his training under Arakaki Ankichi. After this he trained with Mutsu. ![]() (Arakaki Ankichi 1899 - 1927) 1935: Sensei Kim graduated from high school and attended the university of Hawaii. At this point he was studying karate in Honolulu with Tachibana. While in University he furthered his boxing experience by training at Sato's Gym on Maunakea Street in Honolulu. Here he sparred with some of the best up and coming champions of the world. 1937: In 1937 Sensei traveled to Shanghai, China and enrolled at St. Johns University and then Towa University where he received a doctorate from each school. While in China he studied Tai Chi at the 'Shanghai Martial Arts Academy' under Chen Chin Wuan. At the same time he studied Pa Kua and Shorinjiryu Kenpo at the 'Stemberra Physical Culture Institute' from Chao Hsu Lie. Sensei Kim's greatest instructor in China was Wang Xian Zhai who taught him a style called Yi Quan. ![]() (Master Wang Xian Zhai, 1885 - 1963) Wang Xiangzhai (1886-1963), also known as Nibao, Zhenghe or Yuseng (Monk of Universe) was one of the best students of Guo Yunshen (Kuo Yun Shen), famous master of xingyiquan (hsing-i ch'uan). In childhood Wang Xiangzhai was weak and of poor health. That's why his parents decided that he should do some excercises to strenghten his body and improve health. Because Wang and Guo families were related, Wang Xiangzhai's father asked Guo Yunshen, who lived at that time in a neighbouring village, to teach his son kung-fu. Guo refused though, saying that he was too old to accept new students. But later some friend of both families persuaded Guo, and eight years old Wang started learning xingyiquan. One story says that once, when Guo got cold, and despite of this went out without putting his jacket on, after some time little Wang, who was worried about his master's health, took jacket and went out to look after Guo. At last found him in some quiet place, doing very strange exercises, quite different from those, which he usually taught. Astounded Wang silently watched master, who stood without motion in a position which Wang saw for the first time. At some moment Guo heard rustle and turned around - he saw that it was his little pupil who brought him his jacket. Since that time Guo treated the boy quite differently than other students, teaching him stuff which was not passed to others. Only Wang Xiangzhai learned all the secrets of Guo Yunshen's zhan zhuang exercises, which exercises became later the most characteristic element of Yi Quan. 1937: It was while in China that he first met Kenichi Sawai. ![]() (Kenichi Sawai) 1939: Sensei Kim finally traveled to Japan and continued his studies under Yabu Kentsu who had moved back to Japan. At this point he also continued training under Kenichi Sawai. It was about this time he began learning kobudo from Toyama Kanken, and joined the Japanese Busen. ![]() (Toyama Kanken 1888 - 1966) Toyama studied martial arts for a while under Kanryo Higaonna but most of his training was under Ankoh Yatsuni Itosu of Shuri. His weapons training was with Chosin Chibana. Toyama formed the All Japan Karate Do Association in 1946. 1940: It was while in Japan Sensei Kim met noted karate historian Kinjo Hiroshi. Kinjo impressed Sensei Kim as being a walking karate encyclopedia. ![]() (Sensei Kim & Kinjo Hiroshi - Photo taken to commemorate Sensei's 8th Dan) ![]() (Sensei Kim in his early 20's) Yoshida Kotaro is by some considered to be Ueshiba Morihei's sensei. Sensei Kim considers Kotaro to be one of the greatest masters of all time. ![]() Pictured here is Sensei Kim in his late 20's and his instructor Yoshida Kotaro ![]() (Yoshida Kotaro circa 1964) ![]() (Gogen Yamaguchi, 1909 - 1989) ![]() (Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, 1923 - 1994) 1957: Sensei established the Kenshu Kan Karate School with James Miyagi in Hawaii. ![]() (Pictured are Richard Lee, Sensei Kim & James Miyagi) ![]() (Sensei James Miyagi) 1966: Santa Cruz branch joined the Zen Bei Butokukai under Sensei Kim. ![]() (Dr Paul Castillo & Linda Castillo) 1970: Started writing a monthly column for "Karate Illustrated" magazine from 1970 - 1980. 1972: Sensei Kim became director and head instructor of the AAKF/ITKF Black Belt summer camp held at UCSD. 1972: Denis Farbatiuk and Don Warrener visit Sensei Kim in San Francisco and become members of his organization. ![]() (Don Warrener) 1973 Sensei Kim and Brian Ricci came to Canada for the first time. This is the first of many visits. 1974: The book, "Weaponless Warrior" is published. ![]() 1976: Sensei Kim established the International Butokukai with chapters in France, Germany, Canada and USA. 1978: Aoinagi-ha Karate under Raymond Castilonia joined the Zen Bei Butokukai. Sensei Kim founded the organization "Way of Mankind". He became the director of the U.S. Team for the I.A.K.F. world championships, and received the honorific title of "Hanshi". 1979: Denis Farbatiuk brings Sensei Kim up to Canada for the first ever "Guelph Summer Camp". These camps have continued from that point on with Mrs. Eileen Dennis in charge of them. Mrs. Dennis is head of the 'Eastern Canadian Butokukai'. 1980: The Shima Karate School under Rick Marshall became members of the Butokukai. Rick Marshall is named head of the 'Western Canadian Butokukai'. ![]() (Sensei Kim and Rick Marshall - Head of the "Western Canadian Butokukai") 1982: Sensei Kim's second book "The Classical Man" is published. ![]() 1984: Sensei Kim received the Rank of Kudan from the ITKF 1987: Tyndall's Karate School is established and became a branch of the Zen Bei Butokukai. 1993: Busen of Canada is founded. 1996: Sensei Kim oversees the first ever "National Butokukai Karate Championships" is held in Vancouver B.C. with competitors from Canada and the States. ![]() 1999: Final Victoria summer camp is held. 1999: O'Sensei Kim is promoted to the rank of Judan. Sensei turns 80 on Nov 17, 1999. ![]() (The Canadian entourage, from left to right) Rick Marshall, O'Sensei Kim, Robert Leong, Dino Cain, Greg Mellor, Sonia, Yulia, Debbie Bilton, Joe Fournier, Robbert Intveld, Kurt Nordli, Lizette Fournier O' Sensei Kim was truly one of the last great masters in the world. ![]() |
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