9th World Budosai 2023

Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federatio (TOGKF)

Back in August I was lucky enough to attend the TOGKF 9th World Budosai in Naha, Okinawa as the UAE representative. The last time I trained in Okinawa was back in 2019 at the World Gishiki (IOGKF 40th Anniversary).

This year I encountered several challenges. The first was finding connecting flights from the UAE. Normally you can fly via other Asian countries at a reasonable cost. The most cost effective route was via Hong Kong. This flight allowed me to a have a night layover in Hong Kong before flying to Okinawa. Shorty after arriving in Hong Kong my airline contacted me as they had changed my booking to the first flight out of Honk Kong due to a typhoon heading toward the island.

This meant I arrived in Okinawa earlier on the Monday than planned, but still too late to register for Budosai as the the typhoon was near and the Japanese government was already posting safety alerts and restricting movements. Tuesday’s registration was cancelled and no training on Wednesday as typhoon Khanun passed by the south of the island. Thursday was a busy day at the Budokan – early registration and longer day of training to catch-up on what was missed from the previous day. As we had more sessions this meant that I got to train with Higoanna Sensei twice in one day. Both times I had a chance and honour to speak to Higoanna Sensei. I spoke about my background in Shotokan and we reminisced about Kanazawa Sensei and the early days of Karate.

Unfortunately, my airline contacted me yet again on the Thursday night and changed my Saturday flight to Friday midday as the typhoon that was heading towards Taiwan did a u-turn back to Okinawa. The subsequent training on Friday was also cancelled.

Returning to Hong Kong early gave me the opportunity to visit some of sites – namely the Avenue of Stars where there’s a Bruce Lee memorial and statue.


Kaicho Kiyoshi Yamazaki 1940 – 2023

16th August 1940 – 28th August 28 2023

Ryobu-Kai International:

It is with profound sadness that the Japan Karate Do Ryobu-Kai International Yudanshakai Executive Council (IYEC) informs you that Kaicho Kiyoshi Yamazaki (9th dan JKR, 8th dan JKF) passed away on 28th August, at approximately 8:00pm Pacific Time.

For anyone who has been fortunate enough to train with Kaicho Yamazaki and to know him personally, the loss to his family, to JKR, and to the martial arts world is both enormous and clear. Karate has lost a leader, a pioneer, a visionary, an outstanding technician, and a font of deep knowledge. Kaicho’s dedication to teaching Shindo Jinen Ryu Karate-Do, his success in building a respected, global martial arts organization, and the emphasis he placed on humility and lifelong learning, are all unquestionable.

In recent years, Kaicho Yamazaki retired from active executive leadership of Japan Karate Do Ryobu-Kai, placing his trust in the International Yudanshakai Executive Council to maintain, improve, and grow JKR. In the wake of Kaicho’s passing, the emphasis he placed on humility and lifelong learning, are all unquestionable.

In recent years, Kaicho Yamazaki retired from active executive leadership of Japan Karate Do Ryobu-Kai, placing his trust in the International Yudanshakai Executive Council to maintain, improve, and grow JKR. In the wake of Kaicho’s passing, the IYEC will continue to lead Ryobu-Kai in accordance with his teachings and his vision.

The Yamazaki family knows that they are in your thoughts and in your hearts during this difficult time. We ask that you please respect their privacy as they navigate the aftermath of Kaicho’s passing. If more information becomes available, it will be made public, as appropriate.

The martial arts world – indeed the world as a whole – is poorer for Kaicho’s passing. Please know that, while JKR has lost a giant, his foresight in establishing the IYEC will ensure that Japan Karate Do Ryobu-Kai continues to be the organisation he wanted it to be, and a legacy of which he can be proud.

Japan Karate-Do Ryobukai


A message from Minako Yamazaki Sensei



Kaicho Kiyoshi Yamazaki – Japan Karate-Do Ryobukai (JKR)