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 MASTER KEN SAKIO
(FOUNDER OF SHITORYU SEIFUKAN)
Okinawan Toudi Master Motobu Choki ,It was after Master Motobu Choki's decision to return to Okinawa, during 1939, that Master Motobu highly recommended his good friend and fellow Okinawan Toudi Master, Mabuni Kenwa to act as his replacement at the Toyo University Karate Club.
In 1942, Sakio sensei was honoured with a 'Renshi' teaching license issued by the most highly respected Japanese Martial Arts Organization responsible for certifying all the martial arts, the Dai Nippon Buto-Kai. By 1949, Sakio sensei had opened his own Shito-ryu dojo, the Seifukan under the supervision and with permission of master Mabuni Kenwa. He also became the karate instructor at the Shimizudani High Scool Karate Club as well as the Outemon High School Karate Club. By 1953, Sakio sensei had firmly established a university karate Club at Kansai. By 1969, Sakio sensei was appointed a representative of the Zen Nippon Karate-do Renmei (Federation of All Japan Karate-do Organizations-FAJKO) and a senior 'A' class Referee. Sakio Ken sensei was honoured for his continuous outstanding contribution to the martial arts by receiving the 'Distinguished Service Award' from the Nihon Budo Kyougi Kai (Japan Budo Council) during 1992.
Sakio Ken performing moves from various Shito Ryu Kata such as Gojushiho, Suparinpei, Rohai etc. In 1993, Master Sakio was appointed the 'President of the Japan Karate-do Shito-Kai as well as President of the World Shito-Ryu Karate-do Federation after the very unexpected death of Master Iwata Manz. In 1994 Master Sakio was awarded 9th degree level of black belt from the Japan Karate-do Federation (JKF). At the 2nd World Shito Ryu Karate Do Federation Championships in Puebla, Mexico during 1996, Master Sakio headed-up the Japan delegation and presided at the WSKF Congress as well as supervising the Kata and Referee seminars.  In
1986, Ichikawadaimon-cho in Yamanashi prefecture was selected as
a place to hold karate match of National Sports Festival that year.
Karate-do became popular in the town; people became interested in
bringing up young competitors, and karate practitioners increased
rapidly.
In 1987, Yamanashi Seifukan was established in Ichikawamisato-cho (former Ichikawadaimon-cho). The dojo was named after the owner's master, Ken Sakio-sensei's dojo. In 1988, the owner, Mr. Minoru Kanazawa (now owns official 8thth-dan approved by Japan Karate-do Federation), got the license of WUKO (former WKF) international referee in Egypt. Since then, he has participated in a number of tournaments in Japan and also all over the world as a referee. In 1987, the first branch of Seifukan was established in Ryuoh-cho. Mr. Fumihiko Koike (now owns official 8thth-dan approved by Japan Karate-do Federation), a long-term student of Mr. Kanazawa's, is running this dojo. In 2002, the second branch was established in Tatomi-cho. Mr. Katsura Tanaka (now owns official 5th-dan approved by Japan Karate-do Federation), also a Mr. Kanazawa's student, is teaching at this branch. In 2008 May Sensei Lal Darda from India joined Seifukan alongwith 156 Instructors and those 156 Inatructors from more than 20states of India have near 1Lakh students. Seifukan Karate Tournament has been held every year since 1988 with all seifukan students and members participating. Once in a few years, applicants within dojo members take trips oversea to experience each country's culture and to practice with karate students there. For now, Seifukan has more than 1Lakh students in the world. It's a Hit  |
Sakio
Ken recalls "from December 1941, when Japan rushed into the
Pacific War, we all lived precarious lives. But, I was charmed
by the personality of Master Mabuni and the appeal of karate,
and I devoted myself to practice under Master Mabuni, valueing
the short period of time left to me until my enlistment in April
1941. Master Mabuni was 50 years old then and reaching his peak.
His lessons were so exhaustive, going into so minute details
that I was constantly surprised by his vitality in seeking the
essence of karate. I am ashamed that in spite of those kind
lessons from Master Mabuni, with so much toil, I remain immature
in the arts of karate.
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Sensei
Lal Darda |
Sensei
Ashok Darda |
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