Kiyohide Shinjō

is a nine-time all-Okinawa kata and kumite champion, and a master (8th dan) of Uechi Ryu karate. Master Shino's unparalleled success in Okinawan karate competition earned him the nickname "Okinawa's Superman". [Dollar, Allan "The Indomitable Shinjos of Okinawan Uechi-ryu Karate," "Meibukan Magazine" No. 8, December 2006. p. 26.]

Kiyohide Shinjo is the son and student of Seiyu Shinjo. Shinjo earned his shodan at his father's school at age 16. [Dollar, Allan "The Indomitable Shinjos of Okinawan Uechi-ryu Karate," "Meibukan Magazine" No. 8, December 2006. p. 25.] After his father's death in 1979, Shinjo retired undefeated from karate competition and founded the Kenyukai fraternity within the Uechi Ryu Association. "Ke" means "fist", "yu" is derived from Seiyu Shinjo's name, and "kai" means "group", so "Kenyukai" means "Seiyu Shinjo's strong fist group".Dollar, Allan "The Indomitable Shinjos of Okinawan Uechi-ryu Karate," "Meibukan Magazine" No. 8, December 2006. p. 29.] At this time he also took over his father's dojo in Kadena, Okinawa.Dollar, Allan "The Indomitable Shinjos of Okinawan Uechi-ryu Karate," "Meibukan Magazine" No. 8, December 2006. p. 29.]

Shinjo serves on the Okinawa Karate Federation Board of Directors, and has done so since 1980. He was elected chairman of that board for periods spanning 1991 through 1994, and he was the youngest person ever elected to that position.Dollar, Allan "The Indomitable Shinjos of Okinawan Uechi-ryu Karate," "Meibukan Magazine" No. 8, December 2006. p. 29.]

In 2004, Master Kiyohide's dojo moved to Toguchi in Yomitan, Okinawa. Master Kiyohide has master-level students all over the world.

References

* "Meet Okinawa's Superman," by Chris Willson, in Okinawa Living, issue #155, November 2006, p.72.
* [http://shopping.discovery.com/product-54843.html "Martial Arts: Way of the Warrior & Kung Fu Fighter DVD,"] produced by the Discovery Channel, stock item #697292.
* [http://www.alandollar.com/uechi/ken_hist_fr.htm Alan Dollar's Uechi Ryu web site]