International Okinawan Budo Kai

Founder of IOBK

Soke Mike Hancock

(1946-2006)

Master Mike Hancock started his karate training when he was 14 years old.  He studied Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu Karate.  He trained in this style for 11 years; sometimes under the son of the Okinawan grand Master of the style, Tak Nagamine.  In 1971, he saw the style of Grand Master Kise and, knowing the Matsumura style was much older and more practical, switched to the Okinawan Matsumura System under one of Master Kise’s American students. 

In 1977 Master Hancock went directly under Grand master Hohan Soken and Fusei Kise, with the Shorin Ryu Matsumura Orthodox Karate Association and in 1978, was the second dojo to join Master Kise’s new Kenshin Kan Karate Association.

In 1980, Masters Mike and Amy Hancock had a personal visit to their home by Grand Master Kise where he stayed for two weeks.

Master Hancock was appointed Assistant United States Director for Master Kise’s Association.  Master Kise made annual visits to the Hancocks’ home and dojo.

In 1983, Masters Mike and Amy Hancock and Master Matt Molineux (a student of Mike Hancock’s since he was 10 years old) went to Okinawa and lived and trained with Masters Kise and Kuda for five weeks.

In 1984, there was a large martial arts camp in Bastrop, Texas.  Masters Mike and Amy Hancock tested in front of Grand Masters Kise and Kuda.  Master Mike Hancock received his 7^th degree black belt and Amy Hancock her 5^th degree black belt. Later that same year, Master Mike Hancock was made the United States Director for the All Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate and Kobudo Association and the All Okinawan Shorin Ryu Kenshin Kan Karate and Kobudo Association. Both, Grand Master Kise’s Karate Association. 

Masters Mike and Amy Hancock traveled back to Okinawa in 1985 and stayed in the dojo of Master Kise for three weeks.  In 1989, Master Hancock resigned his position of United States Director. 

In 1991, Master Hancock visited Grand Master Yuichi Kuda at a seminar he was putting on in Florida and in July, 1991, was appointed as United States Director for the Shorin Ryu Matsumura Kempo Karate and Kobudo Association by Grand Master Kuda. 

Master Hancock, after approval of the Zen Kokusei Budo/Bugei Remmei, and the International Okinawan Martial Arts Union, and the All Japan Dai-Seibukan Budo/Bugei Remmei, Japan, named what he is doing Shin Mei Shorin Ryu Karate; SHIN-true, MEI-life.

Master Hancock was given the title Soke (founder) of Shin Mei Shorin Ryu.  Master Amy Hancock, 7^th degree black belt and highest ranked woman in Shorin Ryu, was given the title Soke-Dai of Shin Mei Shorin Ryu Karate.

Soke Mike Hancock passed away on

December 5th, 2006.

The IOBK

The International Okinawan Budo Kai or the I.O.B.K., was founded by Mike Hancock. It has members worldwide and is affiliated with some of the top martial arts organizations in the world.

The I.O.B.K. has members from a variety of martial arts but its main focus and styles are: Shinmei Shorin Ryu Karate-Jutsu  and Shinto Yoshin Ryu Jiu-Jitsu, . Membership is open to all martial artists and styles. The instructors and State Directors have unique and diverse backgrounds in the martial arts. They are some of the most experienced and advanced martial artists in the world.

The I.O.B.K. started as an association to promote and further Shinmei Shorin Ryu. Shinmei is true Okinawan Karate taught by true Masters through its unique history.

The system is a direct descendant of Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito.

Though Okinawan Karate changed radically during the 1930’s by the Japanese who preferred sport karate, our style was preserved by Master Hohan Soken who was living in Argentina during that time. 

The techniques of the white crane have provided the influence to the style that gives us the “change body” concept and other concepts which make a very efficient system of self defense.  These secrets were taught to only a very few, one of whom is Master Kise.  Shinmei loyally continues these traditions.