Sensei Julio A. Ramirez
Karate head instructor Sensei Julio A. Ramirez, is a fifth degree black belt (Go Dan) in Shito Ryu. Born and raised in Venezuela Sensei Ramirez came from his homeland to start a traditional karate dojo here in Brooklyn. Sensei Ramirez started his training in Shito Ryu Karate in 1973 under the direction of Sensei Oscar Escudero an early pioneer of Shito Ryu in Venezuela. The head master during those years that directed the schools in South America and the Caribbean was Shihan Shoko Sato of the Shitokai Organization. After some years Sensei Ramirez also became a uchi-deshi (live in student) of Shihan Sato for two years. From 1986 to 1987 he worked along the side with other prominent karateka in an attempt to further his knowledge and ability in Shito Ryu.
Sensei Julio A. Ramirez, 5th Dan
The Venezuelan Federation of Karate-do which represented the largest organization of Shito Ryu in that country broke away from the direction of Shihan Sato. In 1987-88 they formed their own organization called the O.K.V. "Organizacion Karate-do Venezulano" (The Venezuelan Organization of Karate-do). The O.K.V. was under the direction of Sensei Escudero who was president during that time and who later gave the position over to Sensei Yovany Aguero who was technical director. Eventually O.K.V. decided to contact Soke Shogo Kuniba of the Seishinkai Karate-do Union. Though the offices of the Seishinkai where in Japan Soke Kuniba was living at the time in Virginia. Soke Kuniba came to Venezuela to see and confirm the organization there. At that time Venezuela gave birth to a new karate organization the "Seishinkai de Venezuela Union" (The Seishinkai Union of Venezuela). Through out these many transitions Sensei Ramirez has been actively involved. Before coming to the United States Sensei Ramirez spent fifteen years in promoting and helping spread Shito Ryu karate throughout South America.
In 1989 Sensei Julio Ramirez came to this country to West Virginia for training that was organized every year under the leadership of Soke Kuniba. At these organized events representatives from karate schools all around the United States would meet to further the branch of Shito Ryu founded by Kuniba called Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu and be exposed to other arts such as Kobudo and Kuniba Ryu Goshin Do. It was then that Sensei Ramirez decided to stay in the states and live in Brooklyn, New York to learn its culture, customs and make a living. After several odd jobs and saving what he could Sensei Ramirez was determined to establish a karate school here in Brooklyn. In 1996 the Tetsuo dojo was established and was the first dojo to teach Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu in New York city.
Tetsuo means man of iron. This is reflective of Sensei Ramirez character who struggled to establish himself in a new country and promote a genuine martial art on his own. He has given over 25 years of his life to spreading and promoting karate.
Tetsuo means man of iron. This is reflective of Sensei Ramirez character who struggled to establish himself in a new country and promote a genuine martial art on his own. He has given over 25 years of his life to spreading and promoting karate.
Kozo Kuniba and Sensei Julio.
Through the leadership of Sensei Ramirez the Tetsuo dojo left the Seishinkai to join the Japan Karate-do Kuniba-Kai International. This organization was founded by the sons of the late great master Shogo Kuniba. The sons are Kosuke Kuniba who is the fifth and present Soke of Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu and Kozo Kuniba Soke-Daiko and President of the Kuniba-Kai International. While with the Kuniba-Kai Sensei Ramirez traveled to Osaka, Japan and trained with Kozo Kuniba directly and with the Kuniba-Kai hombu head instructor Shinji Hosokawa 8th Dan.
With the assistance of his student, Sensei Ismael Aguilar, co-founded the New York Karate-do Nippon Shito Ryu Association in 2004 becoming its President.
With the assistance of his student, Sensei Ismael Aguilar, co-founded the New York Karate-do Nippon Shito Ryu Association in 2004 becoming its President.
Kunio Miyaki and Sensei Julio
Sensei Ramirez would leave the Kuniba-Kai and later affiliate himself with the Shuko-Kai International under Shihan Kunio Miyaki 8th dan.
Just as Sensei Ramirez worked to establish karate in his homeland he hopes to do the same here in New York. Sensei Ramirez is a member and coach of the USA National Karate Federation (now known as USA Karate Federation) that is approved by the World Olympic Committee. He has competed in many tournaments throughout his career and is well respected in the martial arts community here in New York. He continues to work hard promote and make Shito Ryu Karate known.
Presently he has been working to establish the Shuko-Kai International in his homeland Venezuela as well as in the USA. He has been giving classes, special training sessions and seminars with Shihan Miyaki in promoting the Shuko-Kai International organization. Sensei Julio has been relentless in his pursuit in spreading Shito Ryu karate around the world.
Just as Sensei Ramirez worked to establish karate in his homeland he hopes to do the same here in New York. Sensei Ramirez is a member and coach of the USA National Karate Federation (now known as USA Karate Federation) that is approved by the World Olympic Committee. He has competed in many tournaments throughout his career and is well respected in the martial arts community here in New York. He continues to work hard promote and make Shito Ryu Karate known.
Presently he has been working to establish the Shuko-Kai International in his homeland Venezuela as well as in the USA. He has been giving classes, special training sessions and seminars with Shihan Miyaki in promoting the Shuko-Kai International organization. Sensei Julio has been relentless in his pursuit in spreading Shito Ryu karate around the world.
Copyright@Japan Martial Arts Association of New York, New York non-profit corporation and federally tax exempt organization under IRS 501(c)(3). All rights reserved.