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William began his weapon training in the early eighties when he was studying Shito Ryu Itosukai Karate. Under the instruction of Sensei Kaz Hashimoto (now sensei for Odokan Karate), William learned the fundamentals for the bo, sai, and tonfa. William’s interest in weapons grew and he began to study Kobudo under Soke Seiko Suzuki, founder of the Shito Ryu Karate Seiko-kai in Tokyo, Japan. Sensei Suzuki received his black belt in Kobudo in the late sixties from Shinken Taira. Sensei Suzuki was also one of the most senior students of the late Ryusho Sakagami, a noted weapons expert and headmaster of Itosukai Karate. |
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William received his third degree black belt from Sensei Suzuki in Suzuki ha Kobudo in 1998. In 2002, William trained in Ryukyu Kobudo under Soke Hidemi Tamayose, the founder of Ryukyu Kobudo Tesshinkan. In 2006, William became a black belt in the Tesshinkan system. |
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In 2011, William wanted to expand his Kobudo knowledge and sought out the tutelage of the famous karate and Kobudo master, Hiroshi Akamine. Akamine Sensei was the third President of the famous Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai initially created by Shinken Taira. In the summer of 2011, Akamine Sensei formed his own organization and named it under his father’s original dojo name of “Shimbukan”. In 2013, William was awarded his black belt from Akamine Sensei. |
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William was the Canadian National Weapons Champion for the years 2000 and 2001. He has won numerous tournaments locally and in the United States. William is also proficient in Chinese weapons. In 1986 he won a silver and bronze medal at the 2nd World Wushu Championships in 1986 in Tientsin, China. He placed fifth in the world overall at that tournament. From 1985-1987, Karate Illustrated Magazine and Karate-Kungfu Illustrated Magazine ranked William the “Top Ten” in forms and weapons. |
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William received his Shidoin Menkyo and Konin Dojo Menkyo from Akamine Kaicho on October 2013 and is currently the Chief Instructor for Ryukyu Kobudo at the Dunbar Community Centre in Vancouver. He is currently teaching the Ryukyu Kobudo Shimbukan syllabus under Hiroshi Akamine Kaicho of the Hombu Dojo in Tomigusuku, Okinawa. |
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