KOKUSAI BUTOKUKAI  | International Martial Arts Federation 
|   SHORINJI RYU KARATE DO  |   OKINAWA KOBUDO   |   TAI CHI   |   Founded 1976 by O´Sensei Richard Kim, Hanshi, 10. Dan

Hanshi Louis Jemison | 9. Dan | Honorary President | 1952-2021

Louis Jemison began training with Rod Sanford in 1967.

“O’ Sensei was a major influence on my life, from my 15th birthday until his death in 2001, and next to my parents there is no person that I feel more grateful to then O’Sensei Richard (Biggie) Kim.”

Within a few years, he moved to the San Francisco Bay area to attend the University of California at Berkeley. There he studied Oriental history and language. While attending UCB he began to study directly under O’ Sensei Richard Kim at the Chinese YMCA in San Francisco.

Hanshi Jemison continued to train directly under Richard Kim until O’ Sensei passed away in 2001. He has extensive teaching experience in Martial Arts programs in San Francisco, Watsonville and Santa Cruz areas.

He also traveled extensively with O’Sensei Kim. Under him, he has studied Shorinji Ryu Karate Do, Kobudo (Okinawan and Japanese Weaponry), Tai Chi Chuan, Chi Kong, Aiki, Martial Arts history, tradition and philosophy. Louis Jemison has studied Goju-Ryu Karate under Master Tomoharu Kisaki, President of the Japan Karate Do Goju Ryu Yuishinkan and Master Morio Higaonna of the International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Federation.

Hanshi Lou Jemison has studied under Master Kenei Mabuni, Soke of Shito-Ryu Karate, and he has studied Shotokan Karate under Masters Hidetaka Nishiyama, Masatoshi Nakayama, Hiroshi Shoji, Taiji Kase, Toru Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Shirai, Masaka Ueki, Hideki Okamoto, Keinosuke Enoeda and Professor Takeshi Ohishi.

He has also trained in Aikijujutsu with Soshi Siego Okamoto. Jemison has successfully completed the International Coaches and Judges courses through the International Traditional Karate Federation.

Louis Jemison was known for his strong, powerful technique and his common sense logic in worldly matters.

  • Shodan (1st Dan) in 1971
  • Kyoshi in 2006
  • Sichi Dan (7th Dan) in 2007
  • Hachi Dan (8th Dan) in 2013
  • Hanshi in 2018
  • Ku Dan in 2021 

Louis Jemison was honorary member of the Butokukai Germany, President of the Zen Bei Butoku Kai and the first President of the Kokusai Butokukai.

"Hanshi Louis Jemison was one of the most important pioneers of our associations."

On the 28th of July 2021, at the age of 69, Hanshi Louis Jemison left us.