OKINAWA KARATE KOBUDO TOKYO MUSHINKAN

Who We Are

Joe Swift was born in Van Etten, NY, and began training in Okinawan karate and kobudo at the age of 12.

In 1994, he had an opportunity to study at Kansai Gaidai University of Foreign Studies in Osaka, Japan. At that time, he became fascinated with the "old ways" of Okinawan karate and began a more serious study of the history and classical kata of the Ryukyu Martial Arts.
In 1995, he entered the Mushinkan HQ Dojo in Kanazawa, and began

studying Okinawa Shoreiryu Karatedo (Naha-te) under Uematsu Yoshiyuki, who also taught him the ancient Japanese arts of Iaijutsu and Jujutsu as well. In 1997, Swift became an assistant instructor

(Shidoin), in 1999 he was appointed as the chief assistant instructor (Shihan-dai), and in 2003, he was awarded his full teaching

license (Shihan Menjo) from Uematsu.
Joet moved to Tokyo in 2001, and opened the Tokyo Branch of the Mushinkan.

In order to undergo a deeper study of the ancient weaponry of Okinawa, he joined the Sogo Ryukyu Kobujutsu of Yamaguchi Seishu, where he studies Yamaneryu Bojutsu and other forms of Ryukyuan weapons.

Joe has received technical instruction or advice from many other instructors such  as Uezu Angi (Isshinryu),  Hokama Tetsuhiro (Gojuryu),  Murakami Katsumi (Shorinryu & Kobudo),  Kanzaki Shigekazu (Tou'onryu), Patrick McCarthy(Koryu Uchinadi), Yogi Kiyoshi & Kanna Yasunori (Uechiryu and Ryukyu Kobudo), Hayashi Shingo (Kojoryu), Matsuo Kanenori Sakon (Ryukyu Oke Hiden Bujutsu), Ikemiyagi Masaaki (Gojuryu), Kinjo Hiroshi (Shuri-ti) and many others.

In addition to his study of the technical theories of karate and kobudo, Joe also researches the history and evolution of the Okinawan martial arts, and also translates old and rare texts to English.

Publications translated by Joe Swift:
* "100 Masters of Okinawa Karate"　by Hokama Tetsuhiro
* "Timeline of Karate History"　by Hokama Tetsuhiro
* "The Secret Royal Martial Arts of Ryukyu" by Matsuo Kanenori Sakon

As a karate historian and researcher, Swift has published articles in some leading martial arts journals and on a variety of martial arts websites around the world.

 

HISTORY

2001	Opened Tokyo Mushinkan
2005	Formed the all Japan Ryukyu Budo Federation with two other groups.
2005	Participated in a commemorative martial arts demonstration for the formation of the All Japan Ryukyu Budo Federation.
2006	Held a commemorative event for the 5th Anniversary of the Tokyo Mushinkan

SEMINARS

2001	Waverly, NY, USA