MASTER TOSHIO KURAMOTO
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Master Toshio Kuramoto was featured in many articles that gave Shorinji Kempo an abundance of much-needed publicity here in the United States and Canada. The Black Belt Magazine (2002) featuring Kuramoto-sensei on the cover marked the very first time that Shorinji Kempo had ever been featured on the magazine's cover and only the second time a major Shorinji Kempo feature article had ever been published in Black Belt. The other article appeared 29 years ago in the June 1979 issue and it also featured Kuramoto sensei with two other senseis. He appeared in two major, full-color feature articles in Martial Art Magazine (2002 & 2003) and was seen on the covers of Classical Fighting Arts (2005) and Dragon Times (2005). In 2005 he was promoted to 7th Dan Black Belt and also received a Commendation Award for his outstanding community service for the benefit of all citizens of Los Angeles County, and it was signed by the Mayor of Los Angeles County, Mike Antonovish. In 2006 Kuramoto-sensei was elected to the position of representative of the World Shorinji Kempo Organization for the United States. In the same year, he was also appointed to the Los Angeles Police Dept. as an Arrest and Control Advisory Member and a member of the Citizen Martial Arts Panel. He was the very first Japanese citizen ever offered this position. In 2006 he was also awarded a Special Appreciation Award from the City of Los Angeles 4th Dictrict Council members, for his incredibile contributions and continuous expertise in the development of the Los Angeles Police Dept.'s Defensive Tactics and Arrest and Control program. A man of extraordinary determination, Kuramoto-sensei practiced and taught Shorinji Kempo for 38 years. He was also an ordained Zen Buddhist priest Gonchudoshi, of the Kong-Zen Sohonzan Shorinji Temple in Shikoku, Japan. He was a very respected and well-known Zen Acu-Therapist and had several celebrity clients. Sensei founded two Shorinji Kempo dojos in the Los Angeles area (Hollywood Dojo and Industry Sheriff's Dojo) and he trained four times a week in two dojos and also taught many students privately at his home dojo. Sensei dedicated his life to the teaching of Shorinji Kempo for the betterment of society.
Masters Hall of Fame Kuramoto sensei received the 2002 Humanitarian Award and was inducted into the Masters 2002 Hall of Fame. The awards dinner and event featured martial artists of all styles and from all over the world and many famous martial art film stars also attended the gala, annual event. Kuramoto sensei is pictured holding his Hall of Fame Award plaque and trophy. Student, Blue Johnson displays a copy of Black Belt Magazine, feautring Kuramoto sensei on the cover.
Bangkok Blue - Tribal Roots Website host Blue Johnson's CD entitled, "Tribal Roots" features the Shorinji Kempo theme song, "Deep Within Each Man". The theme was written 21 years ago by jazz keyboardist, David Garfield and jazz vocalist, Phil Perry. This CD also features "Song for Sensei" which Blue wrote in honor of Kuramoto-sensei and the song features Kuramoto-sensei's vocal "ki-ai's"! Guest artists who also perform on Blue's CD are: June Kuramoto (from the famous jazz band, Hiroshima) on koto, David Garfield on keyboards, Jazz saxophonist, Michael Paulo, Er-hu virtuoso, Karen Hwa-Chee Han on Er-hu, Clifford Coulter on keyboards, Ming Johnson (Blue's son) on drums and keyboards and Blue on keyboards, drum programming, bass and digital sampling. Blue's music is World-Jazz-New Age and lovingly referred to as "Triple A" music! (Asian-African-American). If you would like more information about this CD, please e-mail us.
Blue, Ming, Eri, Sensei and friend, Craig Pagaduan relaxing in "Paradise", at Craig's home in beautiful Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii. This photo is Hawaiian style!
Kuramoto-sensei training at sunset, Big Island Hawaii
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