Shihan Fumio Demura
Shihan Fumio Demura
Shihan Fumio Demura was born in Yokohama, Japan in 1938. He began the study of Kendo at eight years of age. As his training formalized, he studied Kendo under the legendary Nakamura Taisaburo Sensei, and Kendo and karate under Ryusho Sakagami Sensei at his Dojo in the Tsurumi district of Yokohama.
An avid student, Shihan Demura trained daily in the martial arts, achieving high levels of proficiency at a young age. While training at Sakagami Senseis' Itosu-Kai Dojo, he was introduced to the Okinawan Kobudo teacher Taira Shinken Sensei, and soon became knowledgeable in various Ryukyu weapons, an ability he would become famous for after his move to America.
In 1961 Shihan Demura won the National Kumite title of Japan. He was now teaching karate in Tokyo, but had the desire to come to the United States. His opportunity presented itself in 1963 when martial arts historian Donn Draeger introduced him to the American karate pioneer Dan Ivan who was in Japan looking for a talented instructor to assist him with his Dojos in southern California.
In 1965, Shihan Demura moved to the United States where he is generally considered the first to teach authentic Shito-Ryu karate and Okinawan Kobudo. Shihan Demura quickly became a prominent figure in the American karate world through his teachings and his highly skillful and entertaining demonstrations.
Over the years that followed Shihan Demura and his students introduced thousands of people to the martial arts through their colorful displays in the southern California area.
In 1969 Shihan Demura was awarded the prestigious "Black Belt Hall of Fame" award for "Karate Sensei of the Year" and in 1975, he was awarded the "Black Belt Hall of Fame "Martial Artist of the Year." In 1999 Sensei Demura was inducted into the History Museum Martial Arts "Hall of Fame."
During the 1970s and 1980s, he authored several books on karate and Kobudo for O’Hara Publications, and has been featured in numerous martial arts publications. Shihan Demura is a favorite amongst karate magazines for his dynamic and insightful approach to all martial arts.
In the 1980's Shihan Demura became involved in the "Karate Kid" series, serving as stunt double to actor Pat Morita. This was followed by several other appearances in feature films such as "Mortal Combat" and "Rising Sun."
Today Shihan Demura serves as director and Chief Instructor for the Shito-Ryu Genbu-Kai International. An organization encompassing nearly twenty nations and thousands of members. He still teaches at his Santa Ana, California Dojo and most weekends are spent giving seminars or assisting at tournaments literally throughout the world. Each February, he hosts his annual Goodwill Championships in Costa Mesa, considered by many to be the foremost traditional tournament in southern California.
Shihan Demura is an authentic Karate Sensei. Combining the traditions of the past with modern approaches to training, he is regarded by his students with love, trust and admiration. In his personal life as well as within the walls of the Dojo, Shihan is a living model of what all true martial artists strive to be!
Sensei Shihan Fumio Demura is the chief instructor of the Japan Karate Federation Itosu-Kai in America. Besides teaching Karate, Mr. Demura is the stunt man for Pat Morita in the Karate Kid series of motion pictures, as well in the O'Hara television series.
His other film credits include, Island of Dr. Moreau, Bring 'Em back alive, and most recently Rising Sun and Mortal Kombat.
These are just a few of the numerous films in which Mr. Demura has performed. For years he was featured at the Japanese Village in Buena Park and in Las Vegas. Today, he spends the brief time away that he takes from his Dojo to demonstrate at Tournaments and Charity events.
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