Katsumi Tamaki (勝美玉木), 10th Dan, was born on September 12, 1943, in Urasoe, Okinawa. His early life was marked by the profound disruption of the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. He grew up during a transformative era for Okinawan Karate, as the art transitioned from private, informal family practices into more organized systems.
In 1962, at the age of nineteen, Tamaki moved to Osaka, Japan. It was there that he began formal instruction under Kenji Yamamoto of Goju-Ryu. Training within the structured mainland Japanese dojo system allowed Tamaki to refine his technical understanding and synthesize Okinawan tradition with modern Japanese discipline.
By 1974, with his teachers' approval, he founded the Tamaki Dojo in Osaka. His approach emphasized technical clarity, personal responsibility, and the preservation of the Okinawan spirit within a rigorous training environment.
Following the passing of his father, Tamaki sought to formally articulate the principles he had cultivated over decades. In 1979, he established Shinjin-ryu (心仁流). This system was not a theoretical reconstruction but a lived practice, deeply rooted in the Okinawan roots he carried from his youth.
In 1981, career opportunities with the Hitachi company led Tamaki to relocate to the United Kingdom. Settling in Bracknell, Berkshire, he established a dojo and became a key figure in demonstrating Okinawan Karate to a new European audience. Through seminars and consistent teaching, he contributed significantly to the global understanding of traditional Karate-do.
Katsumi Tamaki is recognized as bridging the gap between private Okinawan traditions, formal Japanese instruction, and international dissemination. His dedication ensures the continuity and preservation of Shinjin-ryu for future generations.
Courtesy of Katsumi Tamaki Sensei
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