The Butoku Kai (Martial Virtues Association), founded between 780 to 806 A.
D., by Kanmu (the 50th Emperor of Japan) was established to provide
instruction in all martial arts to the classical warriors. The 1868 restoration of
Imperial Rule caused a collapse in the feudal system. To preserve the
history, tradition, and philosophies of the ancient martial arts, some masters
joined together to create the Dai Nippon (Great Japan) Butoku Kai in 1895,
with the five virtues of Respect, Compassion, Gratitude, Integrity and Honor
as its core. Building the Butokuden (headquarters) in 1899 and establishing
the Budo Semmon Gakko (Martial Art Specialty School) or Busen in 1911,
increased the proficiency of its masters for generations to come.
Richard Kim, Ph.D., Hanshi (Master) 10th Degree, was one of the last from
this long heritage of masters. As a Busen Graduate with over seventy years
of experience, he was considered the master of masters. O’Sensei (great
teacher) as he was called, studied with great masters including: Kaneko,
Kentsu, Arakaki, Tachibana, Lai, Yuan, and Yoshida. His experience included
mastery of several karate styles (primarily Shorinji Ryu and Goju Ryu), Judo,
Daito Ryu Aikijujitsu, Tai Chi, Pa Kua, Hsing-I, Kobudo and even a
professional boxing career. His teachings reflected such.
O’Sensei Kim was a representative of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. He
established branches in the United States, Canada, Germany and France. In
1959 he moved from Japan to San Francisco and later to Sacramento. Kim
also founded the Zen Bei Butoku Kai (All American Martial Virtues
Association). O’Sensei Kim was a distinguished author several times over, his
works include: Weaponless Warriors, Classical Man, Kobudo 1, Kobudo 2,
and Kobudo 3. Richard Kim passed away on Nov. 11, 2001, those that
trained with him continue to carry on the traditions and legacy of his
teachings. We at World Class Karate are dedicated to the research and
preservation of the traditional martial arts.
D., by Kanmu (the 50th Emperor of Japan) was established to provide
instruction in all martial arts to the classical warriors. The 1868 restoration of
Imperial Rule caused a collapse in the feudal system. To preserve the
history, tradition, and philosophies of the ancient martial arts, some masters
joined together to create the Dai Nippon (Great Japan) Butoku Kai in 1895,
with the five virtues of Respect, Compassion, Gratitude, Integrity and Honor
as its core. Building the Butokuden (headquarters) in 1899 and establishing
the Budo Semmon Gakko (Martial Art Specialty School) or Busen in 1911,
increased the proficiency of its masters for generations to come.
Richard Kim, Ph.D., Hanshi (Master) 10th Degree, was one of the last from
this long heritage of masters. As a Busen Graduate with over seventy years
of experience, he was considered the master of masters. O’Sensei (great
teacher) as he was called, studied with great masters including: Kaneko,
Kentsu, Arakaki, Tachibana, Lai, Yuan, and Yoshida. His experience included
mastery of several karate styles (primarily Shorinji Ryu and Goju Ryu), Judo,
Daito Ryu Aikijujitsu, Tai Chi, Pa Kua, Hsing-I, Kobudo and even a
professional boxing career. His teachings reflected such.
O’Sensei Kim was a representative of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. He
established branches in the United States, Canada, Germany and France. In
1959 he moved from Japan to San Francisco and later to Sacramento. Kim
also founded the Zen Bei Butoku Kai (All American Martial Virtues
Association). O’Sensei Kim was a distinguished author several times over, his
works include: Weaponless Warriors, Classical Man, Kobudo 1, Kobudo 2,
and Kobudo 3. Richard Kim passed away on Nov. 11, 2001, those that
trained with him continue to carry on the traditions and legacy of his
teachings. We at World Class Karate are dedicated to the research and
preservation of the traditional martial arts.
| Butokuden Kyoto, Japan |
| O'Sensei Richard Kim, (Hanshi) 1917-2001 |
The history and development of the martial arts is surrounded with traditions of secrecy and a
lack of written records. However, legend has it that in 525 A.D. an Indian monk named Dharama
(A.K.A. - Bohidharma or Tamo), traveled to China to lecture on and teach Zen Buddhism.
Arriving at the Shaolin Temple he began to give instruction in Zen Buddhism and later breathing
exercises and techniques to strengthen the monks, mentally, spiritually and physically. These
techniques also added in the monks ability to protect themselves from the bandits that attacked
them. Their method of self-defense was known as Shorinji Kempo (Shaolin Temple Fistway) or
simply Tode (China Hands). Eventually this art reached Okinawa and blended with an art known
as Te or Okinawa Te and became known as Kara Te (China Hands). Later three villages
became known for their particular styles of Te and became known as ShuriTe, TomariTe and
NahaTe, these styles later blended into two styles known as Shorin and Shorei. Today most
styles can trace their lineage back to one of these styles. Our style is Shorinji Ryu (Shaolin
Temple Method) which comes from the Shorin section.
lack of written records. However, legend has it that in 525 A.D. an Indian monk named Dharama
(A.K.A. - Bohidharma or Tamo), traveled to China to lecture on and teach Zen Buddhism.
Arriving at the Shaolin Temple he began to give instruction in Zen Buddhism and later breathing
exercises and techniques to strengthen the monks, mentally, spiritually and physically. These
techniques also added in the monks ability to protect themselves from the bandits that attacked
them. Their method of self-defense was known as Shorinji Kempo (Shaolin Temple Fistway) or
simply Tode (China Hands). Eventually this art reached Okinawa and blended with an art known
as Te or Okinawa Te and became known as Kara Te (China Hands). Later three villages
became known for their particular styles of Te and became known as ShuriTe, TomariTe and
NahaTe, these styles later blended into two styles known as Shorin and Shorei. Today most
styles can trace their lineage back to one of these styles. Our style is Shorinji Ryu (Shaolin
Temple Method) which comes from the Shorin section.
Karate as it evolved remained an isolated art form of Okinawa until 1922 when Gichin
Funakoshi moved from Okinawa to Japan and began to teach. Funakoshi began to teach
people in the masses and developed many great students who later became masters
themselves. In 1936 Funakoshi’s first Dojo was built. The students placed a sign above the door
which read Shotokan, reading The house of Shoto (Pinewaves), which was Funakoshi’s pen
name. Funakoshi’s style which was Shorin Karate began to be known as Shotokan Karate.
Funakoshi wrote many great books including; Tode Jitsu, Karate-Do Kyohan, Karate-Do
Nyumon, and Karate-Do My Way of Life (his biography). In 1936 Karate (China Hands) switched
to Karate (Empty Hands), a different spelling in Japanese characters, but is read the same. This
change came through the 1936 meeting of the Masters and was presented by Chomo
Hanashiro.
Funakoshi moved from Okinawa to Japan and began to teach. Funakoshi began to teach
people in the masses and developed many great students who later became masters
themselves. In 1936 Funakoshi’s first Dojo was built. The students placed a sign above the door
which read Shotokan, reading The house of Shoto (Pinewaves), which was Funakoshi’s pen
name. Funakoshi’s style which was Shorin Karate began to be known as Shotokan Karate.
Funakoshi wrote many great books including; Tode Jitsu, Karate-Do Kyohan, Karate-Do
Nyumon, and Karate-Do My Way of Life (his biography). In 1936 Karate (China Hands) switched
to Karate (Empty Hands), a different spelling in Japanese characters, but is read the same. This
change came through the 1936 meeting of the Masters and was presented by Chomo
Hanashiro.
Although there are various stories about the founding of Tai Chi Chuan, Chang San-Feng is
generally given the major credit. Chang San-Feng was born on April 9, 1247 and in 1459,
Emperor Yiu-Chung bestowed a title of immortality on Chang. Thus, according to legend,
Chang San-Feng was born at the end of the Sung Dynasty and lived through the whole Yuan
Dynasty to the reign of Tein-Chung in the Ming Dynasty, a period of more than 200 years.
The major styles of Tai Chi Chuan include:
Yang Style
Chen Style
Sun Style
Wu Style
At World Class Karate, we practice a version known as Chen's variation of the Yang Style. This
is the style as taught by O'Sensei Richard Kim, who learned from Chen Chin Yuan. This style
includes Tai Chi, Pakua, and Chi Kung (breathing exercises).
We also practice the Traditional Yang style and Tai Chi Weaponry.
generally given the major credit. Chang San-Feng was born on April 9, 1247 and in 1459,
Emperor Yiu-Chung bestowed a title of immortality on Chang. Thus, according to legend,
Chang San-Feng was born at the end of the Sung Dynasty and lived through the whole Yuan
Dynasty to the reign of Tein-Chung in the Ming Dynasty, a period of more than 200 years.
The major styles of Tai Chi Chuan include:
Yang Style
Chen Style
Sun Style
Wu Style
At World Class Karate, we practice a version known as Chen's variation of the Yang Style. This
is the style as taught by O'Sensei Richard Kim, who learned from Chen Chin Yuan. This style
includes Tai Chi, Pakua, and Chi Kung (breathing exercises).
We also practice the Traditional Yang style and Tai Chi Weaponry.
Kobudo (ancient martial way or ancient weapons way) was said to be founded between 1300 -
1600 A.D. in Okinawa. This ancient fighting art was founded to ward-off the invading Satsuma
Clan of Japan. All traditional weapons were banned so the local farmers and fishermen found
creative ways to defend themselves, using such tools as a Kon or Bo staff (typically 5'-6' in
length), Sai (trident), Tonfa (wooden mill handle), Kama (sickles), and Nunchaku (flail). These
weapons are still taught today through the many kata that have been passed down by such
masters as: Yara, Matsuhiga, Sakagawa, Taira Shinken, Oyadimari, Toyama Kanken, Richard
Kim and many more.
1600 A.D. in Okinawa. This ancient fighting art was founded to ward-off the invading Satsuma
Clan of Japan. All traditional weapons were banned so the local farmers and fishermen found
creative ways to defend themselves, using such tools as a Kon or Bo staff (typically 5'-6' in
length), Sai (trident), Tonfa (wooden mill handle), Kama (sickles), and Nunchaku (flail). These
weapons are still taught today through the many kata that have been passed down by such
masters as: Yara, Matsuhiga, Sakagawa, Taira Shinken, Oyadimari, Toyama Kanken, Richard
Kim and many more.
