Shugoro Nakazato

Shugoro Nakazato was born on August 14, 1920, in Naha City, Okinawa.

He began training in Karate when he was sixteen years old. He studied for

six years with Seiichi Iju , until World War II. The only interruption of

Nakazato’s martial arts training occurred when the war broke out during

which time Nakazato served in the Japanese army.

Following the war, Nakazato began his training with Choshin Chibana. In

1951 Nakazato received his instructor’s certificate, which was followed

two years later by the opening of his Aja Dojo.

In 1955 Nakazato formed the Okinawa Karate-Do Renmei Federation which was comprised

of Goju-Ryu, Uechi Ryu, Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu, and Kobayashi Shorin Ryu.

In 1960 the Okinawa Karate Federation promoted Nakazato to 8th degree black belt. Seven

years later, Chosin Chibana promoted him to 9th Degree Black Belt and bestowed the title of

Hanshi. When Master Chibana died in February 1969, Shugoro Nakazato inherited the

leadership of Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate-Do. In 1980, he was promoted to the rank of

10th degree Black Belt, Grand Master of Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan Karate.

Shugoro Nakazato’s kobudo training began in 1936 under Seiro Tonaki. Tonaki trained

Nakazato in sai, bo, nunchaku, tonfa, and kama. In 1955 Nakazato furthered his bo skills by

training under Masami Chinen.

Shugoro Nakazato is president of Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate-Do Kyokai.

Chosin Chibana

Choshin Chibana studied under the very famous Anko Itosu, who had

integrated karate into the school system of Okinawa. Chibana trained with

Itosu for seventeen years and kept his karate exactly as his teacher had

taught him.

Chibana is given credit for giving Shorin Ryu its name. He became the

most notable karate master of his time.