Masayuki Shimabukuro is the chairman of both the Jikishin-Kai International and the Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-Kai, and he holds a great deal of personal responsibility for passing on the ancient traditions of Japanese martial arts to the modern world. Masayuki Hidenobu Shimabukuro Hanshi was born in March of 1948 in Osaka, Japan.
Masayuki Shimabukuro interest in martial arts began when he was a teenager,. He studied Judo, Karate-do, Okinawan Kobudo weapons and other traditional Japanese martial arts. He achieved dan ranking in several of these arts before focusing his attention predominantly on Iaido (or Iaijutsu), the art of Samurai swordsmanship.
Masayuki Shimabukuro began his sword training in 1975 under the direct supervision of Miura Takeyuki Hidefusa, 20th generation grandmaster of Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu in Osaka, Japan. Shimabukuro Sensei was appointed Kokusai Bucho (International Chairman) of the Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-kai by Miura Hanshi, and entrusted with dissemination of authentic Eishin-ryu Samurai swordsmanship worldwide outside of Japan. Since that appointment, Shimabukuro Sensei has traveled throughout the world teaching Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaido, Shindo Muso Ryu jojutsu and other traditional Samurai arts. He has established Jikishin-Kai International Training Groups and member schools in Europe, North America, South America, Central America, Asia and Australia.
Masayuki Shimabukuro sensei is the senior-most student of Miura Takeyuki Hanshi and is presently the highest ranked member of the Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-kai under Miura Sensei in the world. He is also a direct student of Kenzo Mabuni, the present Grandmaster of Shito-Ryu Karate do Kai.
Masayuki Shimabukuro is presently ranked 8th dan in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaido (Iaijutsu), 7th dan in Shindo Muso-Ryu Jojutsu, 7th dan Nippon Karate-do-Kai and holds the coveted title of Hanshi. Hanshi is the highest title one can achieve in the Traditional Japanese Martial Arts.
Masayuki Shimabukuro passed away on September 7, 2012.
Summary Timeline of Acheivements and Rankings
- 1963 – Starts training in Shorinji Kenpo
- 1965 – Starts training in Shito-Ryu Karate-Do
- 1973 – Receives Shorinji Kenpo 2nd dan rank
- 1975 – Starts training in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu under Miura Hanshi
- 1977 – Receives instructor license in Okinawa Kobu-Do Kenshin-Ryu
- 1978 – Receives All Japan Kobudo Federation Iaijutsu 3rd dan rank
- 1978 – Receives Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-Kai Dan Shinsaiin
- 1978 – Appointed Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-Kai California Director
- 1982 – Receives Hayashi-ha Shito-Ryu 4th dan rank
- 1990 – Appointed Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-Kai U.S.A. Director
- 1992 – Receives Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Kyoshi, 7th dan rank
- 1995 – Receives Dai Nippon Butoku-kai Excellence Award
- 1995 – Appointed Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-Kai International Director
- 1995 – Establishes Jikishin-Kai International
- 1999 – Receives Shindo Muso-Ryu Jo-Jutsu 7th dan rank
- 1999 – Receives Nippon Karate-do-Kai 7th dan rank
- 2000 – Receives Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu 8th dan rank
- 2002 – Receives Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu Hanshi title
Publications
Katsu Jin Ken – Living Karate – The Way to Self-Mastery
Flashing Steel, Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship
