Saturday, May 18
Lloydminster
Master Fumio Demura, 9th degree black belt, 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, Judo, and Karate under some of Japan’s top masters. An avid student, Master Demura trained daily in the martial arts, achieving high levels of proficiency at a young age. While training at at the karate 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 Master 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 an opportunity to teach in California presented itself. 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. Master 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 he and his students introduced thousands of people to the martial arts through their colorful displays in the southern California area.
In 1969 Master Demura was awarded the prestigious “Black Belt Hall of Fame” award for “Karate Sensei of the Year”, and in 1975, he was named “Martial Artist of the Year”.
During the 1970′s and 1980′s, he authored several books on karate and kobudo for Ohara Publications, and has been featured in numerous martial arts publications. Master Demura is a favorite amongst karate magazines for his dynamic and insightful approach to all martial arts.
In the 1980′s Master 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 Master Demura serves as director and Chief Instructor for the Shito-Ryu Karate-do Genbukai, an organization encompassing nearly thirty 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.
Master 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, he is a living model of what all true martial artists strive to be.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to train with one of Karate’s “living legends.”
