The dojo will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Shimbukan Dojo was first opened in 1971 by Eisuke Akamine Sensei who was a student of Ryukyu Kobudo Senseis Shinken Taira and Seiichiro Higa. In 1999 Eisuke Akamine Sensei passed away and the Shimbukan Dojo was taken over by his son Hiroshi Akamine Sensei who is Chairman of the Shimbukan. Currently, Hiroshi Akamine Sensei holds Hanshi Kyu Dan (9th degree black belt) of the Ryukyu Traditional Martial Arts and Hanshi Kyu Dan (9th degree black belt) of Shorinryu Karate Do. Every year, students from all over the world come to Okinawa to train at the Shimbukan. At the dojo, one can focus on the basics and learn how to use weapons such as the bo, sai, nunchaku, tonfa, eiku, and many more. Hiroshi Akamine Sensei has traveled abroad several times holding seminars, and he is committed to the continued development of Okinawan Karate and Kobudo overseas.