Takayuki Takayasu (高安 孝幸, Takayasu Takayuki; born 25 September 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as…
Takayuki Takayasu (高安 孝幸, Takayasu Takayuki; born 25 September 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for fifth-tier Kyushu Soccer League club J-Lease.
Japanese people database × places of origin
Famous People from Naha, Okinawa Prefecture
Naha, Okinawa Prefecture: 67 people
Tatsuro Taira (平良達郎, Taira Tatsurō; born January 27, 2000) is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist. He…
Tatsuro Taira (平良達郎, Taira Tatsurō; born January 27, 2000) is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of July 11, 2026, he is #4 in the Meta UFC flyweight rankings. Taira is the first fighter born in the 2000s to fight in and win a UFC main event.
🎓 Okinawa University🏫 Oroku High School📅 Born January 27🎂 Born 2000📍 From Naha, Okinawa Prefecture💼 Mixed Martial Artist
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Makito Uehara (上原 牧人, Uehara Makito; born 20 November 1998) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J3…
Makito Uehara (上原 牧人, Uehara Makito; born 20 November 1998) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J3 League club Fukushima United FC.
Tetsuya Chinen (知念 哲矢, Chinen Tetsuya; born 8 November 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…
Tetsuya Chinen (知念 哲矢, Chinen Tetsuya; born 8 November 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Tochigi City FC, on loan from Vegalta Sendai.
Takayuki Arakaki (新垣 貴之, Arakaki Takayuki; born 12 August 1996) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played…
Takayuki Arakaki (新垣 貴之, Arakaki Takayuki; born 12 August 1996) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Mana Kinjo (金城 茉奈, Kinjō Mana; February 24, 1996 – December 1, 2020) was a Japanese actress, model and tarento.
Kenta Kamiya (神谷健太, Kamiya Kenta; born May 27, 1995) is a Japanese dancer, actor and singer. He is one of the…
Kenta Kamiya (神谷健太, Kamiya Kenta; born May 27, 1995) is a Japanese dancer, actor and singer. He is one of the performers of the J-Pop group The Rampage from Exile Tribe and a vocalist of their sub-unit MA55IVE The Rampage. Kamiya is represented with LDH.
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Takumi Ohshiro (大城 卓三, Ohshiro Takumi; born February 11, 1993) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher and…
Takumi Ohshiro (大城 卓三, Ohshiro Takumi; born February 11, 1993) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher and infielder for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Taishi Taguchi (田口 泰士, Taguchi Taishi; born 16 March 1991) is a Japanese football player currently playing for JEF…
Taishi Taguchi (田口 泰士, Taguchi Taishi; born 16 March 1991) is a Japanese football player currently playing for JEF United Chiba.
🏫 Ryutsu Keizai University Affiliated Kashiwa High School📅 Born March 16🎂 Born 1991📍 From Naha, Okinawa Prefecture💼 Football (Soccer)
Mika Miyazato (Japanese: 宮里美香, born 10 October 1989) is a professional golfer from Japan who has played on the…
Mika Miyazato (Japanese: 宮里美香, born 10 October 1989) is a professional golfer from Japan who has played on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour and the LPGA of Japan Tour.
Takefumi Toma (當間 建文, Toma Takefumi; born 21 March 1989 in Okinawa) is a Japanese retired football player.
Yui Aragaki (Japanese: 新垣 結衣, Hepburn: Aragaki Yui; born June 11, 1988) is a Japanese actress, model, singer and…
Yui Aragaki (Japanese: 新垣 結衣, Hepburn: Aragaki Yui; born June 11, 1988) is a Japanese actress, model, singer and occasional radio show host. She has been selected several times as the most desired girlfriend and the most desired female celebrity face in Oricon's yearly survey.
Kenji Ebisawa (海老澤 健次, Ebisawa Kenji; born October 22, 1986) is a Japanese actor, best known for the role of Gunpei…
Kenji Ebisawa (海老澤 健次, Ebisawa Kenji; born October 22, 1986) is a Japanese actor, best known for the role of Gunpei Ishihara/Go-on Black in the 2008 tokusatsu series Engine Sentai Go-onger.
Hajime Taniguchi (Japanese: 谷口 一, Hepburn: Taniguchi Hajime; born 7 July 1985), better known as Tokido, is a Japanese…
Hajime Taniguchi (Japanese: 谷口 一, Hepburn: Taniguchi Hajime; born 7 July 1985), better known as Tokido, is a Japanese fighting game player who plays the King of Fighters and Street Fighter franchises. He is known for playing multiple fighting games on a competitive level in addition to Street Fighter, including Tekken, Marvel vs Capcom 3, and BlazBlue. Tokido is a three-time EVO champion, having won Capcom vs. SNK 2 in 2002 as well as winning Super Street Fighter II Turbo in 2007 and Street Fighter V ten years later. Tokido has had 28 Evolution top 8 finishes (a feat surpassed only by Justin Wong), having EVO medals in 12 different games across more than 20 years.
Ayako Uehara (上原 彩子, Uehara Ayako; born 23 December 1983 in Naha, Okinawa) is a Japanese professional golfer.
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Shingo Akamine (赤嶺 真吾, Akamine Shingo; born 8 December 1983) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a forward.
🎓 Komazawa University🏫 Kagoshima Jitsugyo High School📅 Born December 8🎂 Born 1983📍 From Naha, Okinawa Prefecture💼 Football (Soccer)
Genta Koja (Japanese: 古謝 玄太, Hepburn: Koja Genta; born 23 October 1983) is a Japanese politician serving as the 9th…
Genta Koja (Japanese: 古謝 玄太, Hepburn: Koja Genta; born 23 October 1983) is a Japanese politician serving as the 9th Governor of Okinawa Prefecture since the 1972 reversion of Okinawa to Japan. He is the first governor born after the U.S. occupation of Ryukyu Islands.
Kurara Chibana (知花 くらら, Chibana Kurara) is a Japanese TV correspondent and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned…
Kurara Chibana (知花 くらら, Chibana Kurara) is a Japanese TV correspondent and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Japan 2006 and competed at Miss Universe 2006 where she finished as the first runner-up.
Kazuki Ganaha (我那覇 和樹, Ganaha Kazuki; born September 26, 1980) is a Japanese football player who plays for Okinawa SV .
🏫 Ginowan High School📅 Born September 26🎂 Born 1980📍 From Naha, Okinawa Prefecture💼 Football (Soccer)
Nagisa Arakaki (新垣 渚, Arakaki Nagisa; born May 9, 1980 in Naha, Okinawa) is a former Japanese professional baseball…
Nagisa Arakaki (新垣 渚, Arakaki Nagisa; born May 9, 1980 in Naha, Okinawa) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He is currently with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. Despite having one of the best fastballs and sliders of anyone in the league, Arakaki has battled control problems and injuries throughout his career. In 2007, Arakaki set the NPB record for most wild pitches in a season with 21, breaking Kazuhisa Ishii's record. Arakaki was first seen at the 1998 Koshien summer tournament, and caught the eyes of many scouts with his fastball and sharp break on his slider. Despite his team not going far in the tournament, he was scouted by the Orix BlueWave and offered a contract. However, Arakaki turned it down stating that he did not intend to play for Orix. In both 2008 and 2009, Arakaki had been in and out of the lineup due to persistent shoulder problems. From the end of '07 to late '08, the righty did not win a start, a stretch that spanned from September 17, 2007, to August 28, 2008. In the 2008 campaign, Arakaki finished with a 4-6 record and a 4.18 ERA. The 2009 season was far less kind, as the embattled righty went 0-2 with a 7.91 ERA whilst battling shoulder injuries. He did not pitch at the Major League level in 2010 and 2011 due to injury. He finally cracked the Opening Day roster in 2012 for his first action in nearly three years.
Hideyuki Arata (新田 英之, Arata Hideyuki; born in Okinawa) is a Japanese engineering scientist.
Mitsuhisa Sunabe (砂辺 光久, Sunabe Mitsuhisa; born August 4, 1979) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He is the former…
Mitsuhisa Sunabe (砂辺 光久, Sunabe Mitsuhisa; born August 4, 1979) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He is the former and inaugural Pancrase Strawweight champion, Pancrase Light Flyweight champion and Pancrase Flyweight champion. He is regarded by Fight Matrix as the third-best men's strawweight mixed martial artist of all time.
🏫 Oroku High School📅 Born August 4🎂 Born 1979📍 From Naha, Okinawa Prefecture💼 Mixed Martial Artist💼 Wrestler
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Rino Nakasone (仲宗根 梨乃, Nakasone Rino; born June 11, 1979) is a Japanese dancer, choreographer, artistic director and…
Rino Nakasone (仲宗根 梨乃, Nakasone Rino; born June 11, 1979) is a Japanese dancer, choreographer, artistic director and actor. Nakasone and her dance crew, Beat Freaks, participated in the third season of America's Best Dance Crew, where they finished in second place. Nakasone has worked as a choreographer in South Korea and Japan, working with groups such as Shinee, Girls' Generation, TVXQ, f(x), Red Velvet, and SMAP.
Kanehisa Arime (有銘 兼久, Arime Kanehisa; born September 27, 1978) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Shogen Itokazu (尚玄; born 20 June 1978), known mononymously as Shogen, is a Japanese actor. He is best known for his…
Shogen Itokazu (尚玄; born 20 June 1978), known mononymously as Shogen, is a Japanese actor. He is best known for his role as Nao Tsuchiyama in Gensan Punch (2021), which had a joint win for the Kim Jiseok award with The Rapist (2021) at the 26th Busan International Film Festival. Born in Okinawa, he formerly worked as a model before making his acting debut in Bloody Snake Under the Sun (2005).
🎓 Asia University🏫 Naha High School📅 Born June 20🎂 Born 1978📍 From Naha, Okinawa Prefecture💼 Actor💼 Model
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Akihito Yagi (八木明人, Yagi Akihito, born April 5, 1977, in Naha, Okinawa) is a Karate master and teacher. Akihito…
Akihito Yagi (八木明人, Yagi Akihito, born April 5, 1977, in Naha, Okinawa) is a Karate master and teacher. Akihito mastered the Meibukan Goju-Ryu style, and since 2016 serves as the Chairman of the IMGKA and head of the Hombu Dojo
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Tetsuhiro Kina (喜名 哲裕, Kina Tetsuhiro; born 10 December 1976) is a Japanese professional manager and former player. He…
Tetsuhiro Kina (喜名 哲裕, Kina Tetsuhiro; born 10 December 1976) is a Japanese professional manager and former player. He is currently the assistant manager of J3 League club Kagoshima United.
🏫 Naha Nishi High School📅 Born December 10🎂 Born 1976📍 From Naha, Okinawa Prefecture💼 Football (Soccer)
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Satoko Ishimine (石嶺 聡子, Ishimine Satoko; born October 3, 1975) is a Japanese female singer-songwriter. She rose to fame…
Satoko Ishimine (石嶺 聡子, Ishimine Satoko; born October 3, 1975) is a Japanese female singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in 1992 when she won the grand prix of the 16th annual Nagasaki Singing Festival at the age of 16, which resulted in her receiving a recording contract with Toshiba EMI. After she graduated from high school, Ishimine traveled to Los Angeles, California, to receive voice training and dancing lessons. In November 1994, she released her first single Doyōbi to Pen to Udedokei (Saturday, Pen and Wristwatch). In March 1995, Ishimine won first prize at the 5th NHK's Newcomer Singing Contest. In May, she released a cover version of the renowned song Hana, originally recorded by Shoukichi Kina, for the film Himeyuri no Tō (The Tower of Himeyuri). This, her third single, sold over 500,000 copies. She was selected to participate in the 46th annual NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen with the song at the end of the year.
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Yoshie Hayasaka (早坂 好恵, Hayasaka Yoshie; born 25 September 1975 in Naha, Okinawa) is a Japanese actress and singer.…
Yoshie Hayasaka (早坂 好恵, Hayasaka Yoshie; born 25 September 1975 in Naha, Okinawa) is a Japanese actress and singer. Along with the ranking in the top 100 in the Oricon Singles Chart for several of her songs, her single "Zettai! Part 2" reached number 42. In 2003, she married the Japanese pro wrestler known as Super Delfin.
Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro (島袋 光年, Shimabukuro Mitsutoshi; born May 19, 1975) is a Japanese manga artist. He first gained…
Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro (島袋 光年, Shimabukuro Mitsutoshi; born May 19, 1975) is a Japanese manga artist. He first gained success with his comedy series Seikimatsu Leader den Takeshi! (1997–2002), but is better known for Toriko which was serialized from 2008 to 2016 and has over 25 million copies in circulation. He ranked 14th on Nikkei Entertainment's list of the most successful manga artists between 2010 and 2011.
🏫 Okinawa Technical High School📅 Born May 19🎂 Born 1975📍 From Naha, Okinawa Prefecture💼 Manga Artist
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Wakanojō Munehiko (born 13 April 1973 as Munehiko Aka) is a former sumo wrestler from Naha, Okinawa, Japan. He made his…
Wakanojō Munehiko (born 13 April 1973 as Munehiko Aka) is a former sumo wrestler from Naha, Okinawa, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1992, and reached the top division in September 1997. His highest rank was maegashira 6. He retired in May 2004 due to diabetes, which he had been dealing with since the age of 18 and had seen him fall from the top division all the way down to the second lowest jonidan division. After retirement he became an office worker. He needed a kidney transplant in 2006 and his mother was the donor, which was featured in Tokyo Broadcasting System Television's The Friday in January 2018. He appeared in another edition of the program in June 2018, working alongside fellow ex-sumo wrestlers Wakatoba and Wakatenro, in care for the elderly (including making chankonabe).
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Atsuko Hiyajo (Japanese: 比屋定 篤子, Hepburn: Hiyajō Atsuko; born 24 December 1971) is a Japanese singer and radio…
Atsuko Hiyajo (Japanese: 比屋定 篤子, Hepburn: Hiyajō Atsuko; born 24 December 1971) is a Japanese singer and radio personality. Born in Naha, she performed for a band while at Musashino Art University, as well as her own concerts in Tokyo. Making her major label debut in 1997, she released several albums and singles with Epic Records Japan and Sony Music Entertainment Japan in the 1990s and 2000s. Following her return to Okinawa, she began working as an independent musician, collaborating with Ryusenkei and other musicians, and served as the Wednesday host for RBC iRadio's At BBS . One of her songs, "Maware Maware", received renewed popularity from the city pop boom of the 2010s.
🎓 Musashino Art University📅 Born December 24🎂 Born 1971📍 From Naha, Okinawa Prefecture💼 Singer・Vocalist
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Norihiro Yagi (八木 教広, Yagi Norihiro; born 1968) is a Japanese manga writer and artist from Okinawa Prefecture. He…
Norihiro Yagi (八木 教広, Yagi Norihiro; born 1968) is a Japanese manga writer and artist from Okinawa Prefecture. He started making manga in 1990.
Kazuhiko Ishimine (石嶺 和彦, Ishimine Kazuhiko; born January 10, 1961) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…
Kazuhiko Ishimine (石嶺 和彦, Ishimine Kazuhiko; born January 10, 1961) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Kototsubaki Katsuyuki (琴椿 克之) (born 6 December 1960 as Katsuyuki Tokashiki) is a former sumo wrestler from Naha…
Kototsubaki Katsuyuki (琴椿 克之) (born 6 December 1960 as Katsuyuki Tokashiki) is a former sumo wrestler from Naha, Okinawa, Japan.
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Tadashi Tomori (友利 正, Tomori Tadashi; born December 28, 1959) is a retired Japanese boxer who is a former WBC junior…
Tadashi Tomori (友利 正, Tomori Tadashi; born December 28, 1959) is a retired Japanese boxer who is a former WBC junior flyweight champion.
Jon Kabira (ジョン・カビラ), born Jion Kabira (川平 慈温, Kabira Jion; November 1, 1958 in Naha, Okinawa, Japan), is a Japanese…
Jon Kabira (ジョン・カビラ), born Jion Kabira (川平 慈温, Kabira Jion; November 1, 1958 in Naha, Okinawa, Japan), is a Japanese freelance presenter, tarento, radio personality, narrator who is affiliated with Sony Music Artists. He is very popular in Japan having participated in various TV commercials, TV shows, among other Audio-visual-related activities. Kabira is well known in the West due to his narration in the eFootball video game series. He comments alongside former ex-Japanese footballers Tsuyoshi Kitazawa and Hiroshi Nanami, in the past games he also comments alongside other ex-Japanese players like Yasutaro Matsuki, Kozo Tashima, Hiroshi Hayano and Tetsuo Nakanishi. Kabira is the son of Chosei Kabira (川平朝清), an Okinawan broadcaster who later served as a senior executive of NHK and Showa Women's University, and his wife Wandalee, a Kansas native who worked as a teacher at the American School in Japan. His younger brother Jay Kabira (川平 慈英, Kabira Jiei) is also active as a media personality.
Tatsuya Maeda (前田 達也, Maeda Tatsuya; was born 22 August 1958 in Naha, Okinawa, USCAR) is a Japanese musician and singer…
Tatsuya Maeda (前田 達也, Maeda Tatsuya; was born 22 August 1958 in Naha, Okinawa, USCAR) is a Japanese musician and singer from Japan. Maeda is best known as the singer and guitarist of the theme songs of Ultraman Dyna and Blue SWAT.
🎓 Kyoto Sangyo University🏫 大阪府立島本高等学校📅 Born August 22🎂 Born 1958📍 From Naha, Okinawa Prefecture💼 Singer・Vocalist💼 Composer💼 Guitarist
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Kiyoshi Arakaki (新垣 清, Arakaki Kiyoshi; October 17, 1954) is a karate practitioner, historian, novelist, and the…
Kiyoshi Arakaki (新垣 清, Arakaki Kiyoshi; October 17, 1954) is a karate practitioner, historian, novelist, and the founder of Okinawa Karate-Do Muso-Kai.
🏫 Naha High School📅 Born October 17🎂 Born 1954📍 From Naha, Okinawa Prefecture💼 Karate Practitioner💼 Writer・Novelist
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Yasutsune Uehara (上原 康恒, Uehara Yasutsune; born October 12, 1949 in Okinawa, Japan) is a former professional boxer and…
Yasutsune Uehara (上原 康恒, Uehara Yasutsune; born October 12, 1949 in Okinawa, Japan) is a former professional boxer and former WBA and lineal super featherweight champion. He is one of the few Japanese boxers to have won the world title fighting outside Japan.
Susumu Satomi (里見 進, Satomi Susumu; born 18 June 1948) is a Japanese surgeon and academic administrator. He was the…
Susumu Satomi (里見 進, Satomi Susumu; born 18 June 1948) is a Japanese surgeon and academic administrator. He was the 21st president of Tohoku University and the president of the Japan Association of National Universities. Satomi previously served as the director of the Tohoku University Hospital, and the vice president of Tohoku University. He was the president of the Japan Surgical Society from 2008-2012.
Bun'yō Ishikawa (石川 文洋, Ishikawa Bun'yō; March 10, 1938 – August 23, 2026) was a Japanese photographer. Ishikawa was…
Bun'yō Ishikawa (石川 文洋, Ishikawa Bun'yō; March 10, 1938 – August 23, 2026) was a Japanese photographer. Ishikawa was stationed in Saigon and covered the Vietnam War as a photojournalist from 1964 to 1968. He worked as a staff photographer for Asahi Shimbun from 1969 to 1984. After 1984 he worked as a freelance photographer. After 1984, Ishikawa continued to photograph in conflict zones around the world but also is known for photographs of daily life, portraits, and Ryukyu Dance. In 1998, Ishikawa donated about 250 photographs with a focus on the Vietnam War to become part of a permanent exhibition at the Vietnam War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. Ishikawa donated about 270 photographs to the Okinawa City "Material Culture after World War II" exhibition room to become a permanent exhibition. Ishikawa died from lymphoma in Nagano Prefecture on August 23, 2026, at the age of 88.
Seiji Nakamura (仲村 正治, Nakamura Seiji; 6 September 1931 – 15 November 2018) was a Japanese politician who served in the…
Seiji Nakamura (仲村 正治, Nakamura Seiji; 6 September 1931 – 15 November 2018) was a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Tomi Taira (平良 とみ, Taira Tomi; 5 November 1928 – 6 December 2015) was a Japanese actress with a long history of…
Tomi Taira (平良 とみ, Taira Tomi; 5 November 1928 – 6 December 2015) was a Japanese actress with a long history of performing in Okinawan theatre. She was mainly active as an actress, narrator, dialect coach and in other capacities in shows and films taking place in Okinawa and in projects otherwise representing the region, as well as working more directly and officially with the Okinawa Tourist Bureau in promoting the island prefecture. Acting both on stage and in films for many years, her first notable role in films was that of the title role of Nabbie, the grandmother in the 1999 film Nabbie no koi.
Soko Shimabuku (Japanese: 島袋 宗康 Shimabuku Sōkō; 5 October 1926 – 9 December 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member…
Soko Shimabuku (Japanese: 島袋 宗康 Shimabuku Sōkō; 5 October 1926 – 9 December 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Okinawa Social Mass Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 1992 to 2004. Shimabuku died on 9 December 2022, at the age of 96.
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Seikichi Toguchi (渡口 政吉, Toguchi Seikichi; May 20, 1917 in Naha City, Okinawa, Japan – August 31, 1998 in Tokyo) was…
Seikichi Toguchi (渡口 政吉, Toguchi Seikichi; May 20, 1917 in Naha City, Okinawa, Japan – August 31, 1998 in Tokyo) was the founder of Shorei-kan karate.
Kanki Izumigawa (泉川 寛喜, Izumigawa Kanki; 1908 – 1967) was a karate master who learned Goju-Ryu from Seiko Higa on…
Kanki Izumigawa (泉川 寛喜, Izumigawa Kanki; 1908 – 1967) was a karate master who learned Goju-Ryu from Seiko Higa on Okinawa and Saipan. Higa had studied under Kanryo Higashionna (of Naha-Te) and trained with Chojun Miyagi (the founder of Goju-Ryu). In his youth Izumigawa also studied karate under Juhatsu Kyoda, who was himself a senior student of Kanryo Higashionna. Izumigawa was born in Okinawa to a samurai family and was the founder of the Senbukan Dojo, which had its headquarters in Kawasaki City and branches in Tokyo, Osaka, Ota, Yokoyama, Nagoya and even Hawaii. The Senbukan dojo was established in 1939 and was the first dojo of Okinawan Goju-Ryu on mainland Japan. Today, It's currently the oldest Goju-Ryu dojo in the world. Kanki Izumigawa was the first student of Seiko Higa to receive the bubishi from him in 1937. Before dan rank and titles the bubishi was used as a sort of menkyo kaiden in Goju-Ryu. This tradition is still carried on by some instructors from Izumigawa's lineage. In 1942 Kanki Izumigawa was presented with the coveted title of Renshi from the prestigious Dai Nippon Butokai. He would later be promoted to Hanshi in 1957. Kanki Izumikawa was instrumental in the establishment of the Nihon Karate do Rengokai. Several of his senior students held positions in the organisation such as Tsutomu Takato and Sosui Ichikawa. In both 1961 and 1964 he travelled to Hawaii to instruct at the branch dojo founded by Kenneth Murakami and George Miyasaki. These two men trained with Izumigawa at the Senbukan honbu in Kawasaki during the 1950s while they were stationed in Japan. Upon their return to Hawaii they opened a Senbukan branch dojo which continues to this day. In 1961 Izumigawa was accompanied by Ryoichi Yanase (4th dan). In 1964 He brought both Yanase (now 5th dan) and Busen Arakawa (6th dan) to act as his assistants while teaching at the Hawaii dojo. Kanki Izumigawa was also a shihan of Ryukyu Kobudo, in addition to Goju Ryu and was listed in Shinken Taira's Ryukyo Kobudo Encyclopedia as an advisor. Kanki Izumigawa died in 1967 at the age of 59. His oldest son Kanbun Izumigawa carried on his School in Japan as the second soke of the Senbukan. Seiichi Akamine helped him to spread Goju-Ryu and Seiko Higa tradition in mainland Japan, travel to South-America to spread Karate-do and founded the Ken-Shin-Kan school. Kanki Izumigawa's senior students included Busen Arakawa (Rinbukan), Sosui Ichikawa (Sosuikan), Tsutomu Takato (Ota Senbukan Branch Chief), Hyotaro Harada (Seishin Juku), Kenneth Murakami (Hawaii Senbukan), Keisetsu Yoshimaru, Satoru Suzuki, Kazunari Sekishiro and Ryoichi Yanase. Ultimately the main senior students that taught and preserved Izumigawa's teachings in Japan were Busen Arakawa and Sosui Ichikawa. After Kanbun Izumigawa died in 1982, the dojo was inherited by the second son Katsuya Izumigawa (the 3rd soke) who continues to head the dojo and organisation today. In 2016 the organisation was officially renamed to the International Karate Do Goju Ryu Senbukai by Katsuya Izumigawa.
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Kanken Tōyama (遠山寛賢 Tōyama Kanken, 24 September 1888 – 24 November 1966) was a Japanese schoolteacher and karate…
Kanken Tōyama (遠山寛賢 Tōyama Kanken, 24 September 1888 – 24 November 1966) was a Japanese schoolteacher and karate master, who developed the foundation for the Shūdōkan karate style.
Chōshin Chibana (知花 朝信, Chibana Chōshin; 5 June 1885 – 26 February 1969) was an Okinawan martial artist who developed…
Chōshin Chibana (知花 朝信, Chibana Chōshin; 5 June 1885 – 26 February 1969) was an Okinawan martial artist who developed Kobayashi Shōrin-ryū karate based on what he had learned from Ankō Itosu. He was the last of the pre-World War karate masters, also called the "Last Warrior of Shuri" He was the first to establish a Japanese ryu name for an Okinawan karate style, calling Itosu's karate "Shorin-Ryu" (小林流 or "the small forest school") in 1929.
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Higashionna Kanjun (東恩納 寛惇) also Higaonna Kanjun (14 October 1882–24 January 1963) was an Okinawan scholar who…
Higashionna Kanjun (東恩納 寛惇) also Higaonna Kanjun (14 October 1882–24 January 1963) was an Okinawan scholar who specialized in the history of Okinawa. Alongside Iha Fuyū and Majikina Ankō, he is considered one of the pioneers of modern Okinawan studies. After reading Japanese history at Tokyo Imperial University, where he wrote his dissertation on the approach of the Shimazu clan towards the Ryūkyū Kingdom, his subsequent career included posts at Hosei University and Takushoku University and travels in Southeast Asia and India. His extensive body of writings, collected as Higashionna Kanjun zenshū (東恩納寬惇全集) in ten volumes, centre around Ryukyuan history and culture, personal and place names, and classics such as the Omoro Sōshi. His private collection of documents and historical materials, numbering some 3,384 items, is preserved as the Higashionna Kanjun Collection at Okinawa Prefectural Library.