As Grand Master of the largest karate federation on Okinawa I welcome each of you to the study of this time honored sport. My teaching techniques are based on Traditional Okinawan Martial Arts learning methods. Learning Karate and Kobudo is a step by step process, it takes time and practice. The history of our style is very important to your understanding of Kata (forms) and Kobudo (weapons). Please as a Martial Artist or potential student take the time to Study the Okinawan History; you will find it very interesting.
KISE FUSEI was born on May 4, 1935. He began his study of karate in 1947 under his uncle, Master Makabe. In 1955, Master Kise became a student to Master Shingake Nobutake and received his shodan. In 1958, Master Kise began studying under Grandmaster Soken Hohan, the third successor of Matsumura Seito Shorin-Ryu karate-do. In 1960, he was a student of Grandmaster Nakamura Shigeru, founder of the Okinawan Kenpo Karate-Do Federation, and qualified for his 7th degree black belt. After five years of training, Master Kise became a shihan ("master")on January 1, 1965, when he passed the 7th dan examination under Grandmaster Nakamura. At that time, Master Kise taught and practiced Shorinji-ryu karate-do. During this time, he continued studying Shorin-ryu under Grandmaster Soken. On January 1, 1957, Master Kise switched completely over to Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu. On January 3, 1972, Master Kise qualified for the hanshi title by passing the 8th dan examination held by Grandmaster Soken and Master Makabe. Sep 1st 1976 Master Kise qualified for his 9th Dan by Grand Master Hohan Soken. In 1977 Master Kise founded the Shorin Ryu Karate Kenshin Kan Karate and Kobudo Federation. On Oct 25 1987 Master Kise was promoted to 10th Dan by Master Shigaru Tamaiya.
In 2001 the Government of Japan gave there Seal of Approval to the accuracy of Master Kise's book. They have stated that he (Grand Master Kise ) is the sole true heir to Matsumora Orthodox Karate, being passed down to him from Hohan Sensei. This has been entered into the official Government Archives. This means there can be no more disputing the Lineage of Matsumora Orthodox Karate. It belongs to our Grand Master Kise.
In April of 2001 Grand Master Kise was selected by the Japanese Parliament to receive a prestigious Lifetime Achievement award. He met with senators, other dignitaries and with the other Karate Grand Masters who are received awards (4 or 5 other Grand Masters from Okinawa) at a luncheon in Naha.
The History
Interest in unarmed fighting arts increased during the 14th century when King Sho Hashi of Chuzan established his rule over Okinawa and banned all weapons. A more rapid development of tode followed in 1609 when the Satsuma Clan of Kyushu, Japan occupied Okinawa and again banned the possession of weapons. Thus Tode or Okinawan-Te, as the Satsuma Samurai soon called it, became the only means of protection left to the Okinawans. Thus it was this atmosphere that honed the early Karate-like arts of Okinawa into a weapon, enabling the island people to conduct a guerrilla-type war with the Japanese Samurai that later into the late 1800's.
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The Spirit of Okinawan Karate Extended Throughout the World
by Hanshi Fusei Kise
Published by the All Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo Federation. This is the autobiography of one of Okinawa's greatest living karate masters. Devoted student of the legendary Hohan Soken, Grand Master Kise has spent his life teaching traditional Matsumura Shorin-Ryu karate throughout the world. Great historical photos, plus a section illustrating the kata that Grand Master Kise developed under the guidance of Master Soken. This is a 192-page hard cover book with dust jacket, limited to 2000 numbered copies. First published in Okinawa in 2000, the English language edition was published in 2003.
Each copy is personally signed by Master Kise. (ISBN 0-9741921-0-4) Reasonably priced at $40.
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New History of Shorin-Ryu Matsumura Seito
Okinawa Karate-Do: A Selection of Readings and Documents in the History of Shorin-Ryu Matsumura Seito, published by the Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Matsumura Seito Karate Kobudo Federation. This is the history of the style of karate taught by of one of Okinawa's greatest living karate masters, Grandmaster Fusei Kise. The development of Suidi (Shuri-te) and Shorin-ryu are examined within the context of Ryukyuan history, and the great masters such as Kusanku, Toudi Sakugawa and Bushi Matsumura are seen in the political, cultural and economic background of their time. The history of Shorin-Ryu Matsumura in the 20th century is presented in two interviews with Master Hohan Soken that were not previously available in English. This history is brought up to the present day through interviews with Grandmaster Kise and his students throughout the world. It is a large format paperback, 8 ˝ x 11 inches, 176 pages, limited to 1500 copies. There are over 100 photographs. First published in Okinawa in 2005, the English language edition was just published in May 2008.
The price is $40 per copy, plus $5 per copy for shipping by media mail in the US (including APO and FPO) or $14 per copy for air mail shipping to any international address.
