Shigeru Kimura

Sensei Shigeru Kimura began training with Sensei Tani in 1957 at age sixteen He had already practised judo and kendo. His progress was extraordinary and after training for only 5 years, he won the All Japan Championships and in the same year he became World Shukokai Champion. In 1964 he again won the All Japan title and then withdrew from competition.

Recalling his early training in Kobe, Sensei Kimura emphasised that even at this stage he would always check the power behind every technique. He was not enthusiastic about makiwara (striking posts) but preferred to have a training partner hold a rolled up gi (and in later years a punching pad) which he would punch or kick. This enabled him to get `live' feedback on the impact of every technique, and to experiment with each technique and get an immediate response as to whether it was strong or not. "Makiwara can't tell me anything I want to know, so that is why I hit other people" (with protection of course!)

In 1965, without any knowledge of English, Sensei Kimura left Japan for Africa where he taught in Zimbabwe, Mocambique and South Africa. South Africa was the first country outside of Japan where he was to spend much time and his influence on karate in South Africa was considerable. Presently two of the four world Chief Instructors for KSI are based in South Africa.

After establishing Shukokai in Southern Africa, Sensei Kimura moved to Europe and settled for a while in England: Sensei Eddie Daniels, Chief Instructor for Shukokai U.K. recounts how he first met Sensei Kimura: -
"I started training in late 1965.... When I left school I started training with a guy who was doing Wado Ryu. ... I first got involved with Shukokai in 1968 when the European Championships were taking place at Crystal Palace. I saw Mr. Kimura and Mr. Nanbu do a demonstration and I was very impressed. I immediately thought - this is the Karate for me and then trained under Mr. Kimura."

Sensei Eddie's experience was quite typical, as people from all different styles came to train with Mr. Kimura and then wanted to learn his technique. Sensei Kimura used to comment jokingly how he got people from other styles to join Shukokai. "I convinced them. I asked them to hold the punching pad and 'bang' ... this convinced them it was a good way. Then I would ask them if they would like to learn how to do the same, they would say yes and I would say O.K. I'll teach you".