In Dedication to Soke Shogo Kuniba, 10th Dan
Motobu Ha Shi Toh Ryu Karate Do
Kuniba Ha Karate Do

In Honor of Soke Shogo Kuniba Kosho Kokuba (Okinawan pronunciation), a descendent of the Sho Shi Royal Family of Okinawa, was born near Mount Fuji in Yamanashi-Shi, Japan February 5th, 1935. At the age of five he began training with his father, Kokuba Kosei, in Motobu Ha karate Do, an Okinawan style developed by Kokuba Sensei's friend and teacher, Motobu Choki. As Kokuba Kosho was of Samurai descent, his father planned for him to follow the traditional path and he trained in all Martial Arts. He studied Judo at an Osaka Dojo under Master Itoh Asakichi. Master Mabuni Kenwa, the founder of Shito Ryu taught young Kokuba his style of Karate Do. Kokuba Kosho also trained in Mugai Ryu Iai Do with Soke Ishii Gogetsu and in Kobu Do with Master Taira Shinken, Master Nakaima Kenko, Master Kosha Shojin and Master Yamaguchi Junko. Motobu Ha Shi Toh Ryu Karate Do came about as a combination of what Soke Shogo Kuniba had learned from Master Kenwa Mabuni who taught a style of Karate Do he called Shito Ryu, and from Master Choki Motobu who taught a style of Karate Do he called Ryukyu Motobu Ha Karate Do. Thus, it was Soke Shogo Kuniba who started the name Motobu Ha Shi Toh Ryu Karate Do. He was a living Meijin and Shihan Hugh Kelley's Teacher for nearly thirty years but unfortunately, Soke Shogo Kuniba passed away July 14th, 1992. He is missed by the many Karate Ka who had the great opportunity to train with him and love him.

Soke Shogo Kuniba, Kochi, Japan
1960 (age 25)

A young Soke Shogo Kuniba gives a demonstration at the First World Championships

Soke Shogo Kuniba at his home in 1960. Fuji -Yoshida, Japan

Soke Shogo Kuniba, age 26, in Kabuki makeup for performance in Osaka, Japan

Soke Shogo Kuniba, 2nd from left with friends including Sensei Morio Higaonna,
Soke Teruo Hayashi, Sensei Osamu Ozawa, Shihan Takiyuki Mikami, Minobu Miki
and others.

Soke Shogo Kuniba presents 1st Place Black Belt Kata Trophy to James Luckey, Mobile Karate Do Club Member, at tournament in Mobile, Alabama, 1971. The late Shihan Richard P. Baillargeon is in the background.

Soke Shogo Kuniba's autographed photo to his Student, Shihan Hugh Kelley.

Shihan Masaio Tateishi, Soke Shogo Kuniba holding Kevin Kelley (4 yrs old), Kit Kelley (almost 9 yrs old) &
Shihan Hugh Kelley
Click to view a Memoriam for my son,
Kevin Kelley

Shinhan Hugh Kelley, Mobile Mayor Gary Greenough, Soke Shogo Kuniba, Henry K. Kelley & Shihan Masaio Taiteshi, 1974, Mayor’s Office, Mobile, Alabama

Shihan Hugh Kelley & Soke Shogo Kuniba. Shihan Kelly receives Soke Award
& is named President, General Manager & High Dan Board President of
Seishin Kai International (aka Seishin Kai Martial Arts)

Shihan Patrick Delaney, Shihan Hugh Kelley, Soke Shogo Kuniba, Mr. Chuck Mathews, Shihan Charles Thomas at Seishin Kai Seminar

Soke Masaharu Sakimukai, Soke Shogo Kuniba and Shihan Hugh Kelley enjoy dinner after a Seminar

Front: Soke Masaharu Sakimukai, Soke Shogo Kuniba, Shihan Hugh Kelley
Back: Shihan Charles Thomas, Shihan Patrick Delaney, Mr. Chuck Mathews
After SEISHIN KAI Seminar

Shihan Tadashi Yamashita, Soke Shogo Kuniba, Shihan Hugh Kelley & Soke Masaharu Sakimukai

Soke Shogo Kuniba, 2nd from right attending the 1990 All Japan SKKU Championship in Osaka, Japan

Shihan Hugh Kelley & Soke Shogo Kuniba (last photo together before Soke’s passing)

Soke Shogo Kuniba
1935 - 1992