About Tenshinkan Karate
Our World Chief Instructor is Kancho Mamoru Miwa, 10th Dan, founder and originator of the Tenshinkan Karate system.
He incorporated Aikido and Jui-Jitsu techniques (Goshin Jitsu) and Kobudo (weapons) as part of the Tenshinkan Karate system, forming a complete martial art. His concepts are unique since they are based on Tai Sabaki (avoidance) and Ashi Sabaki (leg shifting).
Kancho Mamoru Miwa was born in the North Region of Japan. His family tree has a background and tradition linked with the Samurai. His father was a Shogunate Samurai and continued the tradition and principles of the Samurai; and Mamoru Miwa was trained in the principles of Bushido, as was required of him to continue the family tradition of Bushido (Samurai). Thus, at the age of four, Mamoru Miwa’s parents started to coach him in Martial Arts. Mamoru Miwa trained in various Martial Arts, namely Karate, Jui-Jitsu, Aikido, and Kobudo (Karate and Goshin Jitsu were his favourites).
Mamoru Miwa studied Karate with Gichin Funakoshi Sensei, with heart and soul, and practiced with such total sincerity and dedication, that master Gichin Funakoshi gave him the pet name of Tenshin, which when translated means The Sincere (True) One.
(Note: ‘MAMORU‘ means Truth & Sincerity – hence the pet name Tenshin).
At the death of Gichin Funakoshi Sensei in 1957 Mamoru Miwa was only 18 years old. He then fell under the ranks of Chidoka Sensei (Chidokan) with Takeshi Sasaki.
Takeshi Sasaki Sensei was the top Chidokan instructor at that time. Mamoru Miwa practiced Chidokan with Takeshi Sasaki Sensei until 1965. Whilst with Chidokan, Mamoru Miwa won many Regional, Prefectural, and National Championship titles in Kumite and Kata.
Upon obtaining his 7th Dan Mamoru Miwa decided to part ways with Takeshi Sasaki Sensei and believed that he had a moral duty to implement the original way of Funakoshi Sensei’s system of training which incorporated Tai Sabaki, Ju-Jitsu, and Kobujitsu. Mamoru Miwa was also open to development, and he also implemented improvements in the Art which he researched intensively, if he found the technique or method superior in a workshop, he would implement it.
Academically, Mamoru Miwa holds a degree in Business Administration obtained at the University of Japan.
In September 1965, Mamoru Miwa established the
Tenshinkan Karate Federation.
He incorporated Aikido and Jui-Jitsu techniques (Goshin Jitsu) and Kobudo (weapons) as part of the Tenshinkan Karate system, therefore forming a complete Martial Art. His Tenshinkan Karate concepts are unique since they are based on Tai Sabaki and Ashi Sabaki (avoidance).
“In Tenshinkan Karate, we do not just train the body, but also the mind and spirit. Our goal is to cultivate noble character and unshakable determination alongside technical mastery.“
Mamoru Miwa
Founder of Tenshinkan Karate