Fumio Demura

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Fumio Demura bigraphy, stories - Martial artist

Fumio Demura : biography

September 15, 1938 –
is a Japanese master of karate. (c. 2007). Retrieved on March 3, 2010. He is a well known master of karate and kobudo (weaponry),Clayton, B. D., Horowitz, R., & Pollard, E. (2004): Shotokan's secret: The hidden truth behind Karate's fighting origins (p. 108). Black Belt Books. (ISBN 978-0-8975-0144-6) and his martial arts skills featured in the Karate Kid series of films. (c. 2009). Retrieved on March 3, 2010. Demura holds the rank of 9th dan in Shitō-ryū karate. 

Early life

Demura was born on September 15, 1938, in Yokohama, Japan. At the age of 9, he began training in karate and kendo under an instructor named Asano. At the age of 12 he started training under Ryusho Sakagami in Itosu-kai karate. Demura received his 1st dan black belt in 1956, and won the East Japan Championships in 1957. In 1959, he began training in kobudo, a style of Okinawan weapons training, under the direction of Taira Shinken. In 1963, Demura met martial arts scholar Donn Draeger, who introduced him to Dan Ivan, who would eventually bring him to the United States of America as a karate instructor.

United States of America

In 1965, Demura came to the United States, representing the Japan Karate-do Itosu-kai. From his base in southern California, he became well known for his karate and kobudo skills. In 1971, he was ranked 5th dan,Demura, F. (1971): Shito-Ryu Karate (p. 4). Burbank, CA: Ohara. (ISBN 978-0-8975-0005-0) and he remained at that rank until at least 1982.Demura, F. (1982): Tonfa: Karate weapon of self-defense (p. 5). Burbank, CA: Ohara. (ISBN 978-0-8975-0080-7) Through the 1970s and 1980s, Demura wrote several martial arts books, including: Shito-Ryu Karate (1971),Demura, F. (1971): Shito-Ryu Karate. Burbank, CA: Ohara. (ISBN 978-0-8975-0005-0) Advanced nunchaku (1976, co-authored),Demura, F., & Ivan, D. (1976): Advanced nunchaku. Burbank, CA: Ohara. (ISBN 978-0-8975-0021-0) Tonfa: Karate weapon of self-defense (1982),Demura, F. (1982): Tonfa: Karate weapon of self-defense. Burbank, CA: Ohara. (ISBN 978-0-8975-0080-7) Nunchaku: Karate weapon of self-defense (1986),Demura, F. (1986): Nunchaku: Karate weapon of self-defense. Burbank, CA: Ohara. (ISBN 978-0-8975-0006-7) Bo: Karate weapon of self-defense (1987),Demura, F. (1987): Bo: Karate weapon of self-defense. Burbank, CA: Ohara. (ISBN 978-0-8975-0019-7) and Sai: Karate weapon of self-defense (1987).Demura, F. (1987): Sai: Karate weapon of self-defense. Burbank, CA: Ohara. (ISBN 978-0-8975-0010-4)

In the 1980s, Demura became involved in the Karate Kid series of films. He was the stunt double for Pat Morita, who played Mr. Miyagi. Demura has appeared in several films and documentaries, including: The Warrior within (1976), Retrieved on March 4, 2010. The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977), The Karate Kid (1984), The Karate Kid, Part III (1989), Retrieved on March 3, 2010. Shootfighter: Fight to the death (1992), Retrieved on March 4, 2010. Rising Sun (1993), Retrieved on March 4, 2010. The Next Karate Kid (1994), Retrieved on March 4, 2010. Masters of the martial arts (1998, presented by Wesley Snipes), Retrieved on March 4, 2010. Mystic origins of the martial arts (1998), Retrieved on March 4, 2010. Modern warriors (2002), Retrieved on March 4, 2010. XMA: Xtreme Martial Arts (2003), Retrieved on March 4, 2010. and Ninja (2009). Retrieved on March 4, 2010.

In 1986, Demura was promoted to 7th dan in Shito-ryū karate. In 2001, he was expelled from the Itosu-kai, (November 1, 2001). Retrieved on March 3, 2010. and became the Director of Shito-ryū Karate-do Genbu-kai. In 2005, he was promoted to 9th dan. He currently resides in Santa Ana, California.Demura, F. (2006): (June 6, 2006). Retrieved on March 3, 2010.