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Welcome to the Gima-Ha United Kingdom homepage!
WHAT IS GIMA-HA KARATE?
Our lineage within Shōtōkan Karate-Do retains recognisable elements that stretch beyond these eminent masters; the original Okinawa ‘Ti’ of Kanga Sakugawa (1733-1815) , and Sokon Matsumura (reported variously as; (1809-1901) or (1798-1890) or (1809-1896) or (1800-1892) are visible in our Koryu Kata akin to the ‘Shorin’ style of karate.
Ankoh Itosu (1830 – 1915) a senior ‘apprentice’ of Matsumura was the main person responsible for the propagation of To-De (Karate) on Okinawa! He is renowned as the foremost exponent of Shuri-Te (Shorin).
Itosu taught two notable names, Kentsu Yabu and Gichin Funakoshi. They were the only two to receive the title of ‘Shihan-Dai’ from Itosu.
Gichin Funakoshi as we know was the first Okinawan to take karate to the mainland of Japan, where demonstrated with another Okinawan karate exponent teaching school in Tokyo. This person was (Shinkin original name) Makoto (Japanese pronunciation)) Gima.
Makoto Gima had been a student of ‘Shihan-Dai’ Kentsu Yabu and ‘Dai Shihan’ Itosu in Okinawa, thus was already skilled and able to assist Funakoshi at the start of karate in Japan, and the style that evolved to become what we now call Shōtōkan.
Gima Shihan continued his involvement in karate, acting as an advisor to both the JKA and the Shotokai, as well as teaching his own students in the old ways. Gima was awarded 10th Dan (Judan) from Kanken Toyama, during Funakoshi’s lifetime (1956)!
In 1968 Gima started his own school called Shōtō-Ryu, and after his death – Gima-Ha Shōtōkan.
Gima Sensei himself taught three times weekly at the infamous Yoyogi Dojo where one of the Kumite coaches was the legendary master – Higaonna Morio Shihan. Gima-Ha members (T. Kobayashi, Higuchi, M. Kobayashi, H. Narumi) and Goju-Ryu members (M. Higaonna, T. Chinen) would share the floor, the instruction, the karate-do, the blood, sweat and memories of such arduous training.
It is fair to say that few Shōtōkan organisations can boast this direct lineage.
Our Karate
Like all mainline Shotokan Karate organisations Gima-Ha UK concentrates, at novice and intermediate levels, on the 3K approach to training (Kihon, Kata, Kumite). There is an expectation that the levels within the 3K continue to rise, and that a Kyu grade performing a Kata at ‘Tier 1’ should not look the same (beyond the obvious recognisable basic techniques and pattern) as those at pre-advanced performing ‘Tier 2’, and advanced levels where we see ‘Tier 3’ Kata augmented by Kobudo, Funakoshi Nage-Waza, and ‘Jissen Kumite’. This gives the Gima-Ha style of Shotokan Karate a complete approach to the style passed from Gichin Funakoshi and Makoto Gima.
Kobudo
GIKF require an understanding of Kobudo, from both Kata and Kumite. All grades from Yondan and above are required to study at least Bo and Sai.
Nage Waza
GIKF require an understanding and practical ability for the application of the 9 throws passed from Gichin Funakoshi to Makoto Gima.
Jissen Gumite
Our grading syllabus requires the ability to perform standardised Shiai style Kumite as well as Jissen (more akin to combat without interruption or awarding of points). This, of course, is conducted within the bounds of safety.
Our current masters
Gima-Ha International Karate-Do Federation is led by two of the four senior apprentices to Grand Master Makoto Gima. A direct line pedigree from Ankh Itosu through Kentsu Yabu to Grand Master Gima. A secondary direct lineage runs from
Gichin Funakoshi and Kanken Toyama through Grand Master Gima.
Kobayashi Sensei (Kaicho) was born on February 25, 1944, and until recently was the 27th Resident of Kaieizan Joshoji Temple in Katakai-Cho, Ojiya-Shi, Niigata, Japan.
He was an original student of Master Makoto Gima, and many years ago founded his own dojo under Grand Master Gima’s guidance. The dojo was known as the Kobukai. This dojo name remains to this day.
Kobayashi Sensei serves as the current president of the Gima-Ha International Karatedo Federation.
Mistsunori Kobayashi
President – 9th Dan Hanshi
Narumi Sensei (Shuseki Shihan) was born on 27th April, 1944.. He has practised karate from a young age, and has been active for over 60 years. He is one of the four most senior grades of Gima-Ha Shotokan-Ryu Karate-Do and is the Chief
Instructor of Gima-Ha International Karate Federation.
Narumi Sensei was a direct apprentice to Grand Master Makoto Gima, and was an integral figure within the Zen Nihon Karate-Do Shisei-Kai Rengou-Kai under the auspices of Grand Master Gima.
Hidetada Narumi
Chief Instructor – 8th Dan Hanshi