We teach Shito-ryu karate-do. Shito-ryu karate is a style of Japanese karate, founded by Kenwa Mabuni, who was a senior student of both Master Itosu (the founder of the OKINAWAN Shorin-ryu style) and Master Higoanna (the founder of the Okinawan Goju-ryu style). When Master Mabuni died in 1952, his senior students carried on his teachings, through their own organizations. One of those students, Master Ryushu Sakagami, named his organization the Itosu-Kai. Shihan Fumio Demura, one of Master Sakagami senior students, came to the United States in 1965 and worked to promote Shito-Ryu throughout the world. In 2001, Shihan Demura formed the Japan Karate-do Genbu-kai. We belong to this organization, which currently has over 20,000 members in more than 30 countries. The Japan Karate-do Genbu-kai is also affiliated with Shihan Shigeru Sawabe's organization called the Shubo-kai.

Shihan Demura has been training in the martial arts for over 50 years and was All Japan CHAMPION in 1961. He has also been named twice to Black Belt Magazine’s Hall of Fame, once as karate instructor of the year and once as martial artist of the year. Sensei Demura travels around the world teaching karate and building the quality of the organization. In 1996, Sensei paid his first visit to Winona and taught seminars at the YMCA that were attended, not only by Genbu-kai members, but by martial artists from other organizations and other states who wished to EXPAND their knowledge. Sensei Demura visits annually in July.

Shihan Sawabe was the senior student of Master Sakagami and has been training in karate for over 55 years. He has also been Chair of the Federation of Japan Karate Organizations, Chair of Japan-Karate-do Rengo Kai.

We teach Shito-ryu karate-do. Shito-ryu karate is a style of Japanese karate, founded by Kenwa Mabuni, who was a senior student of both Master Itosu (the founder of the Okinawan Shorin-ryu style) and Master Higoanna (the founder of the Okinawan Goju-ryu style). When Master Mabuni died in 1952, his senior students carried on his teachings, through their own organizations. One of those students, Master Ryushu Sakagami, named his organization the Itosu-Kai. Shihan Fumio Demura, one of Master Sakagami senior students, came to the United States in 1965 and worked to promote Shito-Ryu throughout the world. In 2001, Shihan Demura formed the Japan Karate-do Genbu-kai. We belong to this organization, which currently has over 20,000 members in more than 30 countries. The Japan Karate-do Genbu-kai is also affiliated with Shihan Shigeru Sawabe's organization called the Shubo-kai.

Shihan Demura has been training in the martial arts for over 50 years and was All Japan Champion in 1961. He has also been named twice to Black Belt Magazine’s Hall of Fame, once as karate instructor of the year and once as martial artist of the year. Sensei Demura travels around the world teaching karate and building the quality of the organization. In 1996, Sensei paid his first visit to Winona and taught seminars at the YMCA that were attended, not only by Genbu-kai members, but by martial artists from other organizations and other states who wished to expand their knowledge. Sensei Demura visits annually in July.

Shihan Sawabe was the senior student of Master Sakagami and has been training in karate for over 55 years. He has also been Chair of the Federation of Japan Karate Organizations, Chair of Japan-Karate-do Rengo Kai.