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Hanshi Yoshio Kuba

Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do 10^th Dan

Chief instructor of Okinawai Karate-Do Kenpo-Kai

Yoshio Kuba Hanshi is a 10th Dan black belt and is the head of the Okinawa Karate-Do Kenpo- Kai in Okinawa. He was a direct student of Seikichi Toguchi Sensei, who was a student of Chojun Miyagi Sensei and Seko Higa Sensei. Kuba Sensei epitomizes the understanding of Goju-Ryu and his understand of its concepts and application is legendary but off and on the dojo floor. He run a full-time acupuncturist practice in Okinawa and is head of the Acupuncture Association in Japan.

Achievements:

• Learned Kendo at age of 14.
• Became an apprentice of Seikichi Toguchi Sensei of Goju – Ryu at age 17.
• Became a director of Goju – Ryu Karate – Do Shoreikan at age 27.
• Became a technical director of Goju – Ryu Karate – Do Shoreikan at age 34.

Positions Held or Holding:

• Chairman of Okinawa Prefecture Acupuncture Association.
• Director of Okinawa City Karate – Do Federation
• Standing Director of Okinawa Prefecture Karate – Do Union
• Vice Chairman of Okinawa City Youth Sports Association
• Vice Chairman and General Master of Okinawa Karate – Do Rengo – Kai Association
• Director of Goju – Ryu Karate Kenpo – Kai
• President of Authentic Goju – Ryu Karate – Do & Kobudo Federation Kenbukan the original Traditional Okinawa Martial Arts.

Education

• Master’s degree in pharmacy
• Qualified Acupuncturist

Hanshi Nobuko Oshiro

Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do 9^th Dan Master and Ryukyuan Dance Artist

Hanshi Nobuko Oshiro is a 9th Dan grandmaster of Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do and an accomplished Ryukyu dance artist, both of which are significant cultural treasures of Okinawa. Her Ryukyu dance teacher recommended that she practice Okinawan karate as well. Following this advice, she began learning Shorin-Ryu Karate at the age of 28 under the guidance of Master Higa Yuchoku. After years of dedicated practice and study, at the age of 45, she became the first woman in Okinawa to open her own dojo (training hall). She has been invited to teach in numerous countries, including Argentina, Australia, China, Germany, the United States, and more. Due to her exceptional teaching contributions in Argentina, she was honored by the Argentinian Ministry of Culture in 2015. Hanshi Oshiro Nobuko serves as the Vice President of the Okinawa Karate-Do Rengokai (Okinawan Traditional Karate Association). She made history in 2023 as the first Oknawan woman to receive the 9th Dan and the Hanshi title.

Shihan Takahiro Shinjo

Tomari-Te 8^th Dan

He started learning Shuri – Te where he achieved 5th Dan. Later on he started to learn Tomari – Te, he achieved 8th dan. He also has 6th dan in Goju – Ryu and is the assistant and student of Hanshi Yoshio Kuba. He has a tremendous knowledge about all three of the okinawan karate styles and WKF karate. His students are among the bests in Okinawa, Asia, and Japan in competitions.

• President of Kenryu – Doshikai,
• Educator coach of Ryo Kiyuna, who is three-time Kata World Champion and Olympic Champion,
• Board member of Okinawa Prefectural Karate Federation,
• Vice President of Okinawa City Sports Association,
• Okinawa City Youth Sports Organization headquarter member,
• Okinawa Goju – Ryu and Tomari – Te, Japan Sports Organization Karate senior trainer Okinawa Prefecture

Sensei Mihály Fischer

Goju – Ryu 4^th Dan, WKF Kumite Instructor

head coach of MTK and Hungarian National Coach

For the past 12 years the MTK team has been the Hungarian Champion in all age categories. His students got 27 medals in European Championship and World Championship. His adult students won four European Championship. His student Gábor Hárspataki won 3rd place in kumite in the Olympics and 2^nd place in kumite in the WKF World Championship.

Sensei Tsukasa Shinjo

Okinawa Karate-Do Tomari-Te 3^th Dan

At the age of 17, they achieved the rank of Shodan (1st Dan). In the Japanese National Championship, they secured 3rd place in the kata category. They currently serve as the coach of the Karate Club at Okinawa’s Koza High School.

Shihan Chie Tamagusuku

Ryukyuan dance artist and Soke of Tamagusuku-Ryu Tedano-Kai

Soke Chie Tamagusuku began learning Ryukyuan dance at the age of six under Master Seishin Gushi. At fifteen, she continued her training with Master. Setsuko Tamagusuku, a distinguished artist and master of the Tamagusuku-Ryu Shosetsu-Kai. In addition to being a Ryukyuan dance artist, she also performs in Okinawan theatrical productions. She has appeared in performances across Okinawa Prefecture as well as in Asia, North America, and South America. Dedicated to promoting Okinawan culture worldwide, she has actively contributed to cultural outreach efforts in various countries. She has presented numerous successful solo performances and created many original dances, earning her several awards. She has frequently collaborated with the renowned Okinawan actor Kochu Makishi. She holds the title of “Ryukyuan Dance,” which signifies an important intangible cultural heritage of Okinawa.

Shihan Yukari Tamagusuku

Ryukyuan dance artist and instructor of Tamagusuku – Ryu Tedano – Kai

She graduated from Okinawa Prefectural University of Art in Ryukyuan dance and Kumi Odori. She studied Ryukyuan dance from “Iemoto” Shizue Matayoshi and Kumi Odori from Miyagi Noho, who holds the title of “Ningen Kokuho”. Master Tamagusuku-Ryu Tedano-Kai, holder of the title of Outstanding Artist of Ryukyuan Dance, an important intangible cultural asset of Okinawa.

• In 1993, she was the Best Dance Art Award at the Ryukyu Performing Arts Competition.
  • In 1997, she obtained the title of instructor in Tamagusuku-Ryu Tedano-Kai.
  • In 2004, she obtained the degree of “Shihan” of Tamagusuku-Ryu Tedano-Kai.
  • In 2004, she performed in the opening and performances of the National Theater Okinawa.

• Iemoto: A present house leader of the founder of a school of traditional Japanese art
• Soke: Leader of the true line of the style
• Kumi Odori: A form of narrative traditional Ryukyuan dance
• Kokuho: National Treasure (Japan)
• Ningen kokuho: A Japanese popular term for those individuals certified as Preservers of Important Intangible Cultural Properties by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as based on Japan’s Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties
• Shihan: Master rank

The Ryukyu Kingdom was formed in 1372 through the unification of three states on the island of Okinawa: Hokuzan, Nanzan, and Chūzan. Initially, it became a tributary of the Chinese emperor and later, following the invasion by the Satsuma samurai clan in 1609, it became a vassal state of Japan as well. Despite this, the Ryukyu Kingdom was allowed to continue operating independently until 1872. Subsequently, the Japanese placed it under strict control and finally annexed Okinawa in 1879, leading to the dissolution of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Hanshi Yoshio Kuba
10^th Dan

Chief instructor of Okinawa Karate-Do Kenpo-Kai

First of all, I wish to thank to the Mr. János Nagy Mayor of Szigetszentmiklós, JD Botond Vántsa municipal representative and to the JD János Mészáros President of Hungarian Karate Federation for their support and effort in the organization of the III. Okinawan Days in Szigetszentmiklós.

In the past, Okinawa was the center of the Ryukyu Kingdom. This kingdom was autonomous and had its own culture. Since the Ryukyu Kingdom lives between Japan and China, the two neighboring countries’ culture, religion, martial arts, and dance affected the kingdom. Okinawan culture has evolved as a result of these influences. At this event in Budapest, we are going to present one element of this cultural heritage: Okinawan Karate. I am very pleased and proud to be part of this event as an Okinawan Karate Master. Karate has its roots in Chinese martial arts. Karate has evolved into a system as a result of different cultures, and it has undergone several interesting technical changes over the years. Karate was later brought to Japan (Honshu) and went through additional technical changes before becoming the Karate we know today. I am really happy that today the three biggest Okinawan Karate styles (Tomari – Te, Goju – Ryu, and Shorin – Ryu) and Okinawan dance (Ryubu) can be presented at the same time. For us, the presentation of the original Okinawan Karate styles and dance means that the culture of Ryukyu lives on.

I would like to show my gratitude to Municipality of Szigetszentmiklós end my students Nana Shimizu Shihan and László Harsányi Shihan for organizing this event.

Shihan László Harsányi

Goju – Ryu Karate – Do 7^th Dan

European representative of OKKA and chief instructor of IGKS

I sincerely welcome my Okinawan teachers and every Karateka in the III. Okinawan Days in Szigetszentmiklós event. We look forward to welcoming those Karateka that are interested in authentic Okinawan karate. A niche seminar will be organized, in which we can take a deeper look at three different schools of traditional Okinawan karate, and competition Kata techniques. Without their contributions and efforts made this event could not have become reality. The main goal of the event, which is going to be organized in Budapest is to let the Hungarian and international karate community’s coaches, referees and Karatekas learn Authentic Okinawan Karate!  

I would like to express my gratitude to every one of my students, to every Hungarian an Okinawan patroon.

Shihan Nana Shimizu

Goju – Ryu Karate – Do 5^th dan,

Director of International Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Sakura-Kai

Shimizu Nana Sensei grew up in Japan from a young age, learning Goju-Ryu Karate from outstanding Japanese masters and competing in the Japanese championship system. She earned her degree from the Tokyo University of Physical Education. Shimizu Nana Sensei has been living in Hungary and has been a lecturer at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences for over 15 years. In addition to her university work, she teaches karate and Japanese culture to the members of our associations in Szigetszentmiklós, Pesterzsébet, and Soroksár. As the director of IGKS, she performs outstanding work in strengthening our Japanese and Okinawan connections.

Dr. János Mészáros

President of Hungarian Karate Federation

On behalf of the Hungarian Karate Federation, I would like to welcome you to the III. Okinawan Days. Our association considers it of utmost importance to cultivate the Karate and Budo, the eastern traditions and to pass on the values of Japanese traditions, especially to young people, such as respect, discipline, perseverance, diligence, willpower and the spirit of fair play, which are important values in today’s fast-paced world, at school, at work and in everyday life. The Hungarian Karate Federation has a long tradition and cooperation agreements with several Japanese prefectures, such as Tochigi during the Tokyo Olympics and Okinawa, where our athletes have already participated in joint programs. Special thanks go to Sensei László Harsányi, whose traditional activities strengthen the knowledge and learning of karate and budo in Pesterzsébet, and who has contributed significantly to the successful organization of the II. Okinawan Days.

I wish you to gain precious experiences on the III. Okinawan Days, which will be a useful “companion” in the cultivation of the of karate and in overcoming the challenges of everyday life, and I wish the event to be really successful.

Mr. János Nagy chief patron

Mayor of Szigetszentmiklós

It is a great honor for us that representatives of Ryukyu (Okinawan) culture are visiting us in Szigetszentmiklós. We are delighted that the III Okinawan Karate and Cultural Days are being hosted in Szigetszentmiklós. The masters of Okinawan culture and karate are held in high regard here.

As a former athlete and coach, I hold martial arts and combat sports in great respect because I believe they are among the best methods for developing physical fitness and positive character traits in people. I am confident that in the future, alongside our strong karate connections, our cultural ties will also grow stronger.

We support these seminars and hope that they will become a tradition over the years. I would like to thank all the individuals and organizations whose efforts have made this exceptional event possible. Special thanks to Shihan Shimizu Nana and Shihan László Harsányi for their organization.

Dr. Botond Vántsa patron

Representative of municipal Szigetszentmiklós

It is a great honor for me to welcome you as a patron of the III Okinawan Karate and Cultural Days. This event not only brings us closer to the beauty of Ryukyu dances and traditional Okinawan Karate but also provides insight into the deeper layers of authentic culture and martial arts.

The unprecedented success of last year’s II Okinawan Days — which attracted nearly 300 participants from 12 countries — demonstrates the strong demand for authentic martial arts knowledge and Ryukyu culture.

I trust that this event will not only offer unforgettable experiences for all participants but also contribute to enriching Hungary and Szigetszentmiklós with this unparalleled knowledge. Thanks are due to the organizers and supporters, whose efforts make it possible to build such a unique cultural bridge between Okinawa and our city

Supporters

• Dr. István Simicskó, President of the National Defense Sports Association, Member of Hungarian Parlament
• Mr. Gyula Földesi, Member of Hungarian Parlament
• Mr. Zoltán Bóna, Member of Hungarian Parlament
• Szigetszentmiklós Municipality
• Mr. János Nagy, Mayor of Szigetszentmiklós
• Dr. Boton Vántsa representative of Szigetszentmiklós Municipality
• Mr. Ákos Szabados, Mayor of Pesterzsébet
• Pesterzsébet Municipality
• Dr. János Mészáros President of Hungarian Karate Federation
• Hungarian Karate Federation
• Okinawa Ken Karate – Do Rengo – Kai
• Okinawa Karate – Do Kenpo – Kai
• Dento Shito – Ryu Karate – Do Hungary
• Karate – Do International Hungarian Branch (Jundokan Hungary)
• Hungarian Goju – Ryu Karate – Do Association (Sakura – Kai Hungary)
• Association of Hungarian Karate Styles

1. The program and the procedure may be changed by the number of participants.
2. All participants attend the seminar in the self-responsibility.
3. The insurance is mandatory for everyone.
4. Only the seminar that you applied for beforehand can participate. You cannot modify it on the day.
5. The application is only valid if the organizers have accepted your application and you have transferred 100% of the seminar fee.
6. Video recording is FORBIDDEN!
7. We do not accept any visitors.
8. For the training blocks will be closed when capacity (45 person/training) has been reached. In this case, you can apply for other training blocks which have not yet been filled.
9. The seminar is open to all so participants from any styles are welcome.
10. Recommended for junior, cadette and adult age groups.
11. The dogi (karate clothes) is mandatory, everyone must wear their own belt.
12. The buffet will be open. (sandwich, soft drink, coffee etc.)
13. The Ryukyu Workshops are free, open to the public, anyone can participate in street clothes and sneakers.
14. The organizers reserve the right to change the program.