SOKE KOZO KUNIBA
Kozo Kuniba is the second son of the late Kosho Kuniba, who was known to the martial arts world as Shogo Kuniba. Shogo Kuniba was the son of noted Osaka karate instructor Kosei Kokuba (the Okinawa rendering of his family name). Thus, three generations of martial lineage come to life in Kozo Kuniba. Whereas Kosei Kukuba was a follower of the infamous Choki Motobu, young Kosho (Shogo) learned the Ryukyu Karate-Do Motobu-Ha of his father as well as Shito-Ryu Karate-Do from Ryusei Tomoyori and Kenwa Mabuni. It was Shogo Kuniba who synthesized these two streams of karate into Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu during the mid 1950s.
Kosei Kokuba founded Seshin-Kan in 1943 and it became Seishin-Kai by 1947. From Seishin-Kan Kancho, Kosei Kokuba became the first Sesishin-Kai Kaicho (president). Upon his death in 1959, Teruo Hayashi (senior student of Kosei Kokuba) became the second Kaicho, although the younger Shogo Kuniba assumed the role of Nidai Soke of Motobu-Ha. When Teruo Hayashi stepped down in 1970 to form his own organization (Hayashi-Ha Shito-Ryu Kai), Shogo Kuniba became the third Seishin-Kai Kaicho. Seishin-Kai and Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu were spread the world over as Shogo Kuniba traveled to teach and promote his art. Then, when Shogo Kuniba passed away in 1992, Kuni Tatsuno emerged as the fourth Sesihin-Kai Kaicho and took the title of Soke as well.
Tragically, Kunio Tatsuno was killed in Osaka in 1999. Although Seishin-Kai continued under the leadership of Sadatomu Harada (fifth Kaicho), an historic decision was made to form the Nihon Karate-Do Kuniba-Kai in November of that year. Though the Seishin-Kai continued, the style stayed with the family. Kozo Kuniba became Kuniba-Kai Kaicho and his older brother, Kosuke, took the role of Japan Soke of Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu. Soon, the Kuniba-Kai Kokusai Budo Renmei was established and Kozo Kuniba became Kaicho/Soke.
Kosei Kokuba founded Seshin-Kan in 1943 and it became Seishin-Kai by 1947. From Seishin-Kan Kancho, Kosei Kokuba became the first Sesishin-Kai Kaicho (president). Upon his death in 1959, Teruo Hayashi (senior student of Kosei Kokuba) became the second Kaicho, although the younger Shogo Kuniba assumed the role of Nidai Soke of Motobu-Ha. When Teruo Hayashi stepped down in 1970 to form his own organization (Hayashi-Ha Shito-Ryu Kai), Shogo Kuniba became the third Seishin-Kai Kaicho. Seishin-Kai and Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu were spread the world over as Shogo Kuniba traveled to teach and promote his art. Then, when Shogo Kuniba passed away in 1992, Kuni Tatsuno emerged as the fourth Sesihin-Kai Kaicho and took the title of Soke as well.
Tragically, Kunio Tatsuno was killed in Osaka in 1999. Although Seishin-Kai continued under the leadership of Sadatomu Harada (fifth Kaicho), an historic decision was made to form the Nihon Karate-Do Kuniba-Kai in November of that year. Though the Seishin-Kai continued, the style stayed with the family. Kozo Kuniba became Kuniba-Kai Kaicho and his older brother, Kosuke, took the role of Japan Soke of Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu. Soon, the Kuniba-Kai Kokusai Budo Renmei was established and Kozo Kuniba became Kaicho/Soke.
Today, Soke Kozo Kuniba travels worldwide to spread his father’s art and the legacy of his family. He brings his own influence to the style, which has never been static. Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu continues to evolve. If you are a practitioner of Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu, you owe it to yourself to meet and train with Soke Kozo Kuniba.
