Hanshi Nakaza Seiei

Hanshi Nakaza Seiei, the founder of the Kiyobukan Association, passed away on Friday September 6th, 2013 at 3:30pm in Okinawa, Japan.

Hanshi Nakaza was not only a well respected and knowledgable martial artist, but also a mentor and friend - always with a hearty laugh and a great sense of humor. His presence in the association will be missed, however his passion for Karate and philosophy of 'heart, technique, body' will continue to live in the memories and experiences shared.

Gyoshi Martial Arts and its' students wish to send their condolenses and sympathies to all the friends and family of Hanshi Nakaza Seiei.

HISTORY

Hanshi Nakaza Seiei was born in Okinawa, Japan in 1942. He began his karate training in 1957 at the age of 15 under the guidance of Joen Nakazato. Nakazato, was one of the most noted students of Chotoku Kyan (student of the great Matsumura Sokon) and founder of Shorinji-ryu, taught Hanshi Nakaza Shuri-Te.

In 1960 Nakaza would expand his training to include Naha-Te (Goju-Ryu) under Seiko Higa. Higa was a student of Chojun Myagi, the founder of Goju-Ryu, for more than 35 years.

In 1966, after nearly 6 years with Higa Sensei, Nakaza would again return to the Shuri-Te lineage under Shugoro Nakazato, the founder of the Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan who inherited the Shorin-Ryu system from Chosin Chibana. Chibana-Sensei was the first 10th degree grandmaster of Shorin-Ryu karate.

In the time from 1974 - 2008, Nakaza would serve as the Vice-Director of Shorin-ryu's Kochinda Dojo, and from 1981 to 2008 he would serve as the Vice-Director of the Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Association.

After 48 years of training in Okinawan Karate and Ryukyu Kobudo, Nakaza-Sensei was promoted to 9th degree black belt (Hanshi) by Shugoro Nakazato. Four years later, in 2008, Nakaza Sensei would go on to found the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Kiyobukan Kyokai. His new association would be a living testament to his commitment to the strong tradition of Okinawan Karate-Do and the legacy of Shorin-Ryu as passed through the Matsumura, Itotsu, Chibana lineage.