Why Gima-Ha?
Makoto Gima (Meijin 10th Dan) was an integral member in the beginning of the "Shoto" era. He took part and participating in, the beginnings of Japanese karate and was promoted to 10th Dan during Master Funakoshi lifetime. His institutional knowledge and the opportunity to tap into this knowledge still remains via his senior students---Whereas, much of this original knowledge has been lost amongst most other Shotokan based organizations. Gima Ha is also unique as it blends of what is instantly recognizable quality Shotokan and the Koryu of shuri-te and shorin-ryu. We still facilitate keeping alive the original Koryu versions of Chinte, Jiin, Gojushiho and Meikyo with realistic bunkai. We ask What, How and Why?
Makoto Gima (Meijin 10th Dan) was an integral member in the beginning of the "Shoto" era. He took part and participating in, the beginnings of Japanese karate and was promoted to 10th Dan during Master Funakoshi lifetime. His institutional knowledge and the opportunity to tap into this knowledge still remains via his senior students---Whereas, much of this original knowledge has been lost amongst most other Shotokan based organizations. Gima Ha is also unique as it blends of what is instantly recognizable quality Shotokan and the Koryu of shuri-te and shorin-ryu. We still facilitate keeping alive the original Koryu versions of Chinte, Jiin, Gojushiho and Meikyo with realistic bunkai. We ask What, How and Why?
Master Makoto Gima (1896-1989) is one of the seminal figures in the modern history of karate. Master Gima, who began his karate studies in 1912, was an early student and then associate of Master Gichin Funakoshi, considered the father of modern karate. When Mr. Funakoshi gave his famous karate demonstration at the Kodokan – introducing the martial art to Japan for the first time – Mr. Gima was there, demonstrating kata and kumite.
Master Makoto Gima was born on September 28, 1896 in Okinawa. After graduating from Okinawa Shihan Gakko (Higher Normal School), Mr. Gima studied in Tokyo at Shoka Daigaku (presently Hitotsubashi University). In 1912, under the guidance of both Masters A. Itotsu and K. Yabe, Mr. Gima chose the way of karate.
Master Makoto Gima was born on September 28, 1896 in Okinawa. After graduating from Okinawa Shihan Gakko (Higher Normal School), Mr. Gima studied in Tokyo at Shoka Daigaku (presently Hitotsubashi University). In 1912, under the guidance of both Masters A. Itotsu and K. Yabe, Mr. Gima chose the way of karate.
Although he was weak since infancy, it was through his study of karate that he became healthy and strong. He writes in the Karate Shinbun of August 1977 "I was born in Shuri Kinjō-chō, Okinawa. The place resembled a valley bottom, and anywhere one would go, there were steep zigzagging stone paved slopes. When I was young, I climbed them up and down with bare feet, so my legs became strong. In addition, because I was from an extremely poor family, we lived a frugal life. When it was time to move to a higher education, we couldn’t afford school expenses so I had to work part-time among others. Furthermore, as I had a weak body as I was born from a 57 years old father and a 46 years old mother, I devoted myself to karate and seiza sitting from the age of fifteen in the sake of health first. I also read Smiles’ Saikoku Risshi Den and self-improvement books. Upon such reading, I was highly inspired as it seems that great men also had gone through hardships." Eventually he became an Okinawan born master of two ways – martial arts and scholastic studies.
In 1922, Master Gichin Funakoshi (later to be the founder of the Shotokan School of Karate) traveled from Okinawa to Tokyo and established a dojo at Meisei-Juku (a dormitory for Okinawan students). It was there where Mr. Gima followed Master Funakoshi’s instruction and also participated as assistant instructor at the first karate dojo on mainland Japan.
Read 1980s interview with Gima Sensei here.
In 1922, Master Gichin Funakoshi (later to be the founder of the Shotokan School of Karate) traveled from Okinawa to Tokyo and established a dojo at Meisei-Juku (a dormitory for Okinawan students). It was there where Mr. Gima followed Master Funakoshi’s instruction and also participated as assistant instructor at the first karate dojo on mainland Japan.
Read 1980s interview with Gima Sensei here.
Near this time, Judo Grand-Master Jigoro Kano requested a karate demonstration at the Kodokan (Judo headquarters). As Master Funakoski’s assistant, Mr. Gima demonstrated in the kata Tekki Shodan, while Master Funakoshi demonstrated Kanku-dai. Kihon kumite was also displayed.
Later, for the purpose of karate expansion in Japan, Mr. Gima participated as a partner with Master Funakoshi. In March 1923, Master Funakoshi promoted Makoto Gima to the rank of first degree black belt. In January 1956, Mr. Gima Sensei received his tenth degree black belt from Master Kanken Toyama of Shudokan. During Master Gima’s karate history, he had the opportunity to assist in the formation of the Shoto-kai, as well as the Japan Karate Association (JKA).
Later, for the purpose of karate expansion in Japan, Mr. Gima participated as a partner with Master Funakoshi. In March 1923, Master Funakoshi promoted Makoto Gima to the rank of first degree black belt. In January 1956, Mr. Gima Sensei received his tenth degree black belt from Master Kanken Toyama of Shudokan. During Master Gima’s karate history, he had the opportunity to assist in the formation of the Shoto-kai, as well as the Japan Karate Association (JKA).
After graduating from Hitotsubashi University in 1923, Gima Sensei entered the teaching profession and taught at Kumamoto Commercial School; at Maebashi Commercial High School; at Yamagata Commercial School; and served as principal at Kofu Commercial High School. Mr. Gima was also employed at the Kajima Corporation Company.
While making karate the mainstay of his life, Gima Sensei successfully held the posts of adviser to the Shudokan, President of the Okinawan Karate Association, President of the Shibuya-ku Karate Federation, President of the Shutoken Karatedo Association, adviser for the Japan Karate-do Federation, technical adviser for the All Japan Karatedo Rengo Kai, President of the Gima-Ha Shoto-Ryu Karate-do Association, and was the number one instructor (Saiko Shihan) of the Kajima Corporation Karate Club.
While making karate the mainstay of his life, Gima Sensei successfully held the posts of adviser to the Shudokan, President of the Okinawan Karate Association, President of the Shibuya-ku Karate Federation, President of the Shutoken Karatedo Association, adviser for the Japan Karate-do Federation, technical adviser for the All Japan Karatedo Rengo Kai, President of the Gima-Ha Shoto-Ryu Karate-do Association, and was the number one instructor (Saiko Shihan) of the Kajima Corporation Karate Club.
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