History of Shihan Yamanaka

Yamanaka Sensei founded the Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Federation (Canada) in 1986 to preserve the wisdom of his teacher in Okinawa, Japan, Eiichi Miyazato Sensei.

Ron Yamanaka is the highest ranked genealogical, ancestral and traditional Martial Arts Master in Canada, holding the highest possible ranks in Chinese Kung Fu; Japanese Ju Jitsu and Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate.

Yamanaka Sensei is authentically taught and ranked with direct lineage from such great masters as:

Eiichi Miyazato Sensei of Okinawa Goju Ryu (who ranked him to 8th Dan Kyoshi and now holds his 10th Dan as graded by his original teacher since 1962)
Grandmaster David Chong of Shaolin Ch’uan Fa (Kung Fu) (his first teacher daring back to 1962, who ranked him to 10th degree black belt on April 22 2017)
Grandmaster Masaru Shintani, who is a descendant of the Founder of Shindo Ryu, Grandmaster Hiro Nori Otsuka (Shintani Sensei ranked him to 9th-degree black belt in Shindo Ryu).

He has dedicated his life to the pursuit of truth and building unity around traditional martial artists, founding many international organizations along the way. He proudly directed the Yamanaka Budo Life Centre in Markham until 2003, together with his wife, affectionately known as Mamasan.

Yamanaka Sensei has taught over 100,000 students in over 22 countries in Classical Martial Arts. He has trained military and police services in Canada, England, Ireland, France, Italy, USA, Israel, Singapore, India, Belgium, Norway, Sweden and Slovenia.

As an instructor, Yamanaka Sensei has achieved the highest international teaching titles of Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi. He is the only recipient in Canada of a teaching title signed by Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni (the uncle of the late emperor of Japan), as well as the former Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Parliament of Japan.

As a Canadian citizen, he has been recognized by the federal government for his contributions toward the betterment of community and human rights. He has been honored with the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Awards.

Yamanaka Sensei is retired, but supports his daughter as she heads up the liason position of Communication Director.

Yamanaka Sensei's accolades are extensive, for more information on his history please see this document: