Shogo Kuniba, Soke

Shogo Kuniba was born near Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi-Shi, Japan, February 5, 1935 to a family descended from the Okinawan Sho Shi Royal family line. He began his martial arts training in 1940 at the age of five under his father, Kosei Kokuba, who in 1947 had become the Soke of Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu. Shogo Kuniba, Sensei trained with many of the greatest teachers ever known to the martial arts, including Mabuni Kenwa, Sensei (Shito-Ryu), Shinken Taira, Sensei (Taira Kobudo), Nagamine Shoshin, Sensei (Shorin-Ryu), Itoh Asakichi, Sensei (Judo), Shioda Gozo, Sensei (Aikido) and many others. Mabuni Kenwa, Sensei ,the founder of Shito-Ryu Karate-do, came from Okinawa to live in Osaka around the time young Shogo Kuniba turned age ten. Mabuni, Sensei trained young Kuniba in Shito-ryu aided by Mabuni, Sensei's old friend Kokuba Kosei, (young Kuniba's father) who was also from Okinawa. When Shogo Kuniba was 12 he was promoted to Shodan by Mabuni, Sensei.

Shogo Kuniba also studied privately with other well known Sensei of many martial arts as his father's home in Osaka, Japan was a familier meeting place for all martial artists. In 1943 Kokuba Kosei, Sensei founded the SEISHIN-KAN (Pure Heart Dojo) which was to become his son's only legacy. After alot of interest this organization was later changed to SEISHIN-KAI ( Pure Heart Organization).

In 1950, Shogo Kuniba was promoted to Nidan, by Mabuni, Sensei. In 1952 he was promoted to Sandan by Mabuni, Sensei and began training in Mugai-ryu Iaido, the way of the sword, with Ishii Gogetsu, Soke at Sakai City. In 1955 Shogo Kuniba was promoted to Yondan, by Mabuni, Sensei and he began additional Karate training in Naha City, Okinawa, with Nagamine Shoshin, Sensei. While in Okinawa, Shogo Kuniba also studied Kobudo (weapons) with the infamous Taira Shinken, Sensei and Nakaima Kenko, Sensei. He learned the use of the "Bo" (staff 6') and the "Nunchaku" (joined sticks) under Kosha Shojin, Sensei. With Yamaguchi Junko, Sensei he studied the "Tonfa" (spinning sticks). Shogo Kuniba, Soke was the first Karateka to demonstrate Okinawan Kobudo technique in Japan.

In 1956 Shogo Kuniba returned to his father's homeland of Okinawa where he trained in the Shorin-ryu style of Nagamine Shojin, Sensei.

In 1957, Shogo Kuniba published his first book on Karate, "Karate-Do Bin Ran".

In 1958, he was promoted to the rank of Godan, in Motobu-ha Karate-do; Yondan in Iaido and Rokudan, in Kobudo. During this time Shogo Kuniba became the first office manager (Shodai Jimu Kyokucho) for the Nippon Karate-do Rengo-Kai (Federation of All Japan Karate-do Organizations, FAJKO). Shogo Kuniba was instrumental in the formation of this organization and in developing criteria used for ranking all Karateka and for helping to develop tournament rules for competition. Shogo Kuniba, Soke remained a special advisor to Rengo Kai until his passing away in 1992.

Upon his death on October 17 1959, Kosei Kokuba passed the leadership of Motobu-Ha Karate-Do on to his son Shogo Kuniba. This appointment was made "official" by the Shihan Board of Seishin-Kai that Shogo Kuniba would become the 3rd Soke for Motobu-ha and the first soke of Motobu-ha Shito-ryu which is his own creation from a blending of the styles which he was taught. At the age of 24, he became the youngest person to ever hold the title of "Soke" (The Family Head), for a Karate style, a distiction which remains true even today. Today in Japan there are only five, maybe six, elderly gentleman who hold the position of Soke and are ranked as such by the Zen Nippon Karate-Do Renmei (JFK).Upon becoming "Soke", Kosho Kokuba had his Okinawan name changed to "Shogo" whose Japanese Kanji characters mean "strong warrior". In Japan the Kanji characters for Kokuba, is pronounced as Kuniba.

In 1962, Kuniba, Soke was promoted by the Nippon Karate-do Rengo Kai, to the rank of Rokudan,(6th Dan), in Karate-do. He was also promoted to Rokudan, in Iaido, and Nanadan, (7th Dan) in Kobudo.

In 1964, Kuniba, Soke was featured in the encyclopedia Japonica in an article concerning Karate-do and Kobudo.

In 1966, he was promoted by the Nippon Karate-do Rengo Kai, to the rank of Nanadan in Karate.

In 1968, Shogo Kuniba, Soke became Seishin-Kai Kaicho (President), relieving Teruo Hayashi, Shihan.

In 1970, Shogo Kuniba, Soke was selected by the Nippon Karate-Do Rengo Kai, as the only representative of Japanese Karate-Do at the Second World War Karate-Do Championships Tournament held in Paris, France. Kuniba, Soke gave a demonstration at the tournament.

In 1973, Shogo Kuniba, Soke was promoted to the rank of Hachidan, (8th Dan), in Karate-Do, Iaido, Kobudo and Goshin Budo. Goshin Budo is a combination of all the arts that Kuniba, Soke has trained in, for example, Karate-Do, Judo, Aikido and Jiu Jitsu.

In 1976, Kuniba, Soke appeared in the Japanese documentary movie "EIEN NARUBUDO" (Eternal Martial Arts). This film was shown on USA Cinemax TV in 1983, under the title, "BUDO: GREAT MASTERS OF THE MARTIAL ARTS", and is available on video tape in most video stores under the title: "BUDO: GREAT MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE". In 1979, the Miami Film Festival Award went to "EIEN NARUBUDO" (Budo: Great Masters of the Universe), for the Best Documentary Film of 1978. In addition to Karate work, Kuniba, Soke was the first in Japan to choreograph fighting scenes at the famous Toei Stagio in Kyoto where the USA movie, "SHOGUN", was filmed. For years, Kuniba, Soke was employed by Toei as a talent scout for actors for martial arts movies. Many of his students found their way into the movies. For example, Sonny Chiba, Hiroshi Miyauchi and Yasunori Kurata.

In 1983, Kuniba, Soke opened the USA Hombu Dojo in Portsmouth, Virginia, and made the USA his primary home and base of operations. from Portsmouth, Soke concentrated his efforts on teaching his style of Karate to the world and traveled to many other countries to do so.

In 1984, Shogo Kuniba, Soke was promoted to the rank of Kudan, (9th Dan) in Karate-Do and Goshin-Do by the Rengo-Kai. At that time he held the highest rank with the JKF of any Japanese martial artist living outside the country of Japan.

In 1985 Kuniba, Soke was featured in Who's Who in American Martial Arts, Founding Fathers of American Martial Arts and Shogo Kuniba: The Limitless Art of Goshin Budo.

After 1985, Shogo Kuniba, Soke was appointed to the technical committee for P.U.K.O., which is the part of W.U.K.O. that includes North, South and Central America. Each year after, he taught at clinics and gave demonstrations at Ozawa, Sensei's Traditional Karate Tournament held in Las Vegas. Ozawa, Sensei's Tournament may be the largest Karate tournament held inthe U.S.A.. Kuniba, Soke was featured in several magazine articles in the USA and also targeted in the French magazine, Karate. In Europe he was a member and technical advisor to the UNAAK, French Martial Arts Association.

Shogo Kuniba, Soke adhered to the teaching and philosophies of the Okinawan masters from whom he was descended. He believed and taught that the true goals of Karate-Do are the development of Patience, Self-discipline, Humanity and Inner Strength (Qi).

On July 14, 1992 at approximately 2:05 a.m. Shogo Kuniba, Soke passed away after a long hard battle with stomach cancer. It is the only battle he ever lost! Soke Shogo Kuniba is missed greatly and remembered daily. Shogo Kuniba, Soke was awarded Judan, (10th Dan), posthumously by the Japan Karate Federation (JKF). He is one of only maybe 5 KarateKa, from Okinawa and Japan to recieve this rank.

Through his training in the various styles of martial arts, Kuniba, Soke developed his own style, Kuniba-Ha Shito-Ryu, which combines the strengths and combats the weaknesses of the various martial art styles. Kuniba, Soke continued to train and develop new techniques until his passing away on July 14, 1992. His legacy lives on at the Hebi Ashi Dojo.

William Price, Soke

Price Soke holds a unique position in traditional Japanese/Okinawan martial arts. He is Soke Dai (second family head) of Kuniba-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate-Do and Kuniba Ryu Goshin-Do having been personally appointed to that position by Shogo Kuniba, Soke prior to Kuniba Soke's death in July of 1992. As such, Price Soke became the first non-Japanese to head these two arts and the organization (Chikubu-Kai Karate-Do) under which they operate.

Price Soke's involvement in traditional martial arts began with his training in Goju-Ryu karate-Do in Okinawa in 1962 under Yamashita, Sensei while a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. Leaving Okinawa for Vietnam in 1965, Price Soke continued his training for many years under other traditional Sensei, such as Nagamine Shoshin, Sensei of Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do, (This is the same Nagamine, Sensei that taught Kuniba, Soke).

In 1971 a major milestone occurred in Price Soke's martial arts experience when he met and began training under Shogo Kuniba, Soke. Kuniba Soke moved to Virginia from Osaka, Japan in the early 1980s. This allowed Price Soke to train more frequently and intensely with Kuniba, Soke. Before his death, Kuniba Soke promoted Price Soke to the rank of 8th Dan and that rank has been recognized by the Japan Karate Federation, (JKF) and the Seishin Kai Karate Union of Japan, which was founded by Kosei Kuniba in 1943. Price, Soke was also appointed by Shogo Kuniba, Soke as the Soke Daiko of Kuniba-Ha Shito-Ryu and Kuniba Ryu Goshin-Do in his declaration that he made months before passing away. Shogo Kuniba was honored posthumously when the Japan Karate Federation bestowed the rank of 10th Dan upon him, one of only five Japanese martial artists to be recognized at that rank by that governing body.

Price Soke has combined his experience in martial arts with a distinguished career in law enforcement. A former Virginia State Trooper, Price Soke has served as head administrator for Southwestern Virginia law Enforcement Academy, served a four-year term as Sheriff of Russell County, Va., and is currently Chief of Police for the City of Bristol, Va.

In addition, Price Soke is currently the head instructor for defensive tactics with the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. Price Soke is a pioneer in developing a curriculum for teaching defensive tactics to police officers and instructors. He has taught police officers and martial artists from Japan to Sweden and throughout has stayed committed to the traditional martial arts of Japan and Okinawa.

Michael Fletcher, Sensei

Fletcher, Sensei is the Sensei of the Hebi Ashi Dojo, in Harrisonburg, Va. He began his Martial Arts training in 1976 with a style other than Kuniba-Ha Shito Ryu. After meeting Kuniba Soke in 1985, Fletcher Sensei became a member and has remained an avid proponent of Kuniba-Ha Shito Ryu and Kuniba Ryu Goshin Do. "I learned more with Kuniba, Soke in a three day seminar than I had in 7 years prior training!" Fletcher, Sensei continued to train with Kuniba, Soke up to the day he passed away July14, 1992.

The following are some hallmarks in the career of Fletcher Sensei.

Fletcher, Sensei has received the following awards:

1987 - Appointed to position of Sensei by Shogo Kuniba, Soke in his arts Kuniba-Ha Shito-Ryu and Kuniba Ryu Goshin-Do

1991 - Most Improved Instructor (award presented by Shogo Kuniba, Soke)

1991 - Outstanding Dojo (award presented by Shogo Kuniba, Soke)

1992 - Most Outstanding Dojo (award presented by Shogo Kuniba, Soke)

1992 - Was one of eight people chosen to represent Seishin-Kai Martial Arts USA to go to Japan for the Memorial services for Shogo Kuniba, Soke. Kozo Kuniba, Shihan chose the people that were to go. Kozo Kuniba, Shihan is Shogo Kuniba, Soke's youngest son.

1992 - August 23, anchored a three man Kumite Team which placed third out of 24 teams. And placed 8th out of 64 in the individual Kumite. The tournament was held in Osaka, Japan at the annual Seishin-Kai Karate-Do Union tournament.

1995 - September 8th, The Chikubu-Kai was formed and organized.

1995 - Dojo of the Year (Awarded by Bill Price, Soke)

1998 - Sensei of the Year (Awarded by Bill Price, Soke)

1999- Received Certification through Virginia Department of Criminal Justices Services (DCJS) for Defensive Tactics Instructor in which only two civilians have received in the state of Virginia who are not in Law-enforcement.

2001-Dojo of the Year (Awarded by Bill Price, Soke)

2001-Sensei of the Year (Awarded by Bill Price, Soke)

2002-October 5th Awarded to Shihan by William H. "Bill" Price, Soke

2003-June 6th Awarded WHSV-TV3 "Making a Difference"

2004-October was contacted by Executive from Viacom representing MTV Music Television for a realistic self-defense documentary True Life: I am a Gun Owner. The footage was filmed at the Harrisonburg Hebi Ashi Dojo.

2005- December MTV documentary was aired nationally on True Life: I'm a Gun Owner, with Michael Fletcher, Sensei showing techniques of handgun disarming and self-defense for women.