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In 1997, Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate Bujutsu was recognised and inducted into the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai, the head department of the Nihon Budokan, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
To clarify the importance of the role this organisation plays in Japanese culture, the kanji translation of the word “Kobudo” in this context represents “old martial arts”. This organisation´s purpose is to recognise and preserve Japanese original and traditional martial arts. The Nihon Kobudo Kyokai boasts the fact that many of their members have been declared “National Cultural Treasures” by the Japanese government.
It is considered a great honour in Japan to be recognised by this organisation. Their mission is to ensure that only recognised styles with a clear lineage traceable to the founder of their Ryu are admitted.
It is also very difficult to win recognition, and many styles who have made applications to the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai have been refused admission. Currently, member styles include Ju-jutsu, Ken-jutsu, Aiki-jutsu, Taiho-jutsu, Ryu-kyu Kobu-jutsu, and of course our own Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Bu-jutsu represented by Morio Higaonna Sensei.
Once a year the Nihon Budokan stages a televised documentary showcasing each member style. Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do first participated in this event in early 1998, and has continued to do so every year since then.