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GRANDMASTER GEORGE ALEXANDER
Shorin Ryu Karate
The President and Founder of the International
Shorin Ryu Karate Kobudo Federation is Grandmaster George W. Alexander. He is acknowledged as the "World pioneer of Shorin Ryu Karate".
He began his training in 1964 while serving in the United States
Marine Corps. His Marine Corps assignments enabled him to journey
to the orient including mainland Japan, Okinawa and Southeast Asia.
He began training in Shorin Ryu Karate in 1964 while stationed
at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He quickly earned a reputation
as a rugged fighter in the Marine Corps. During his career he trained
with a host of noted masters. He made it a point of seeking out
the best instructors.
A decorated veteran, he served as a team leader with the US Marine's 3rd Force
Reconnaissance Company in Viet Nam. In 1967 and 1968 while stationed at Dong
Ha, Viet Nam he led jungle teams which gathered intelligence information. Since
then he has become a uniquely qualified and popular instructor with international
teaching credentials and experience. He has traveled widely to spread the teachings
of Shorin Ryu Karate.
RANKS AND TITLES
Master Alexander earned a Baccalaureate Degree in Business Administration from
Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida in 1979 and did graduate
work in Asian history at the same university under Dr. Tsung I. Dow. He received
his Master Certificate and teaching credentials in Shorin Ryu Karate and
Kobudo in 1983 from the All Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate and Kobudo Association.
He now holds the rank of 9th Dan Hanshi in Shorin Ryu Karate and Kobudo.
He also holds the rank of 9th Dan Hanshi in Shorinji Ryu Ju Jitsu and is
acknowledged as an expert in Kendo, the Japanese form of swordsmanship.
In 1989 he founded Yamazato International, a company specializing in martial
arts publications and video productions. He has been featured in a series of
video tapes on Karate, Kobudo and Jujitsu. In 1991 he was inducted into the
World Martial Arts Hall of Fame.He has competed in Tournaments beginning in
the 1960s and was the 1997 National AAU Karate Champion. He has served as a
director and advisor for many martial arts organizations and is currently a
vice president of the World Union of Martial Arts Federations.
Master Alexander has always been fascinated with the history of the martial
arts and is an oriental art collector. As a result of this fascination, he
has done much historical research and translation work and written numerous
articles on the martial arts. According to Master Alexander, "History and technique
seem to intertwine themselves." He has written two of the leading books on
Okinawan karate history. The first, Okinawa Island of Karate is an
in-depth study on Okinawan Karate history. The second book is a translation
of a secret text known as The Bubishi (Martial Art Spirit). He has
also written "The Shorin Ryu Karate Training Manual" and "Warrior
Jujitsu", a complete training guide in the art of Jujitsu.
Additionally, Master Alexander represents the Shorinji Ryu Jujitsu Federation
and the International Budokan Kendo Federation.
E-mail: alexyama@mindspring.com
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