Sh*toryu Karatedo England

Master Kunio Murayama was born on June 30, 1944, in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, and was one of the most important figures in the history and dissemination of Sh*tō-ryū Karate-do in Mexico. He formally began his training in 1962 upon joining the Toyo University karate club, where he studied under Master Manzo Iwata, a direct disciple of Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Sh*tō-ryū. Due to his technical aptitude, discipline, and teaching ability, he was selected by Iwata Sensei to travel to Mexico, arriving in the country in 1970. He settled in Monterrey, Nuevo León, and from there began work that would profoundly transform the development of karate in the northern part of the country. He founded and consolidated Sh*tō-Kai Mexico, trained numerous generations of competitors, instructors, and masters, and guided many of his students to achieve outstanding results at state, national, and international levels.
The Sh*tō-ryū Karate taught by Murayama preserves the technical richness created by Kenwa Mabuni, drawing from the two great Okinawan traditions: Shuri-te—characterized by agile footwork, direct techniques, speed, natural stances, and mid-to-long-range combat—and Naha-te, which contributes solid stances, controlled breathing, circular movements, concentrated power, and close-quarters combat techniques. This combination makes Sh*tō-ryū a comprehensive, balanced, and meticulous system, recognized especially for its extensive kata repertoire, the precise study of *kihon* (basics), the alternation between hardness and softness, and the pursuit of technical efficiency without sacrificing mastery of body, mind, and character.
Master Kunio Murayama passed away on Friday, September 15, 2023, at the age of 79, in Monterrey, Nuevo León—the city where he had lived for over five decades and where he left behind a deeply rooted school. His legacy remains intact under the leadership of his son, Alonso Murayama—an internationally renowned competitor and champion—within the organizations he founded, the continuation of his lineage, and, above all, the thousands of Mexican karateka who were directly or indirectly influenced by his teachings, establishing him as a major pillar of Sh*tō-ryū Karate-do in Mexico.
His son, Sensei Alonso Murayama, joined us for several live broadcasts of *Revista KATANA* during the pandemic, including an interview with actor and karate practitioner Omar Chaparro.
It is with great respect that we present this composition by Master Kunio Murayama, which blends his Japanese roots with the backdrop of the iconic mountain popularly known as *Cerro de la Silla* (Saddle Hill) in the state of Nuevo León, Mexico.
*Revista KATANA* Martial Arts Segments – 36th Anniversary.

Sh*tokai Sh*toryu Karatedo England is now looking for members who wish to be apart of this special occasion on November 6–8, 2026.

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Fifty years ago, my father, Kunio Murayama, made a decision that would change the history of Karate in Mexico. He sought no recognition: he believed, with a conviction it took me years to understand, that Karate-Do has the power to transform people — and that such transformation deserves a worthy home. That home is called Sh*to-Kai Murayama.

Today, fifty years on, we arrive at the fortieth edition of the Copa Murayama. Fifty years of an organization forged in Monterrey. Forty editions of a competition born as a gathering of families within the same organization, where the bonds of the dojo were stronger than any trophy.

For a long time, the Copa Murayama was ours: an intimate space for those who bore the same crest and had trained under the same philosophy. But Karate has no real borders. True Karate — the kind trained in the dark when no one is watching — does not distinguish between styles. It distinguishes between those who commit and those who do not.

And so we arrive at this Copa Murayama XL with open arms. Not because we have abandoned who we are, but because who we are is solid enough to be shared. We remain Sh*to-Kai Murayama. We remain Monterrey. To other schools, other styles, other families of Mexican Karate, we say: there is a place for you here.

This Copa Murayama XL is not merely the fortieth edition. It is the first of the next fifty years. We await you on November 6–8, 2026, at the Gimnasio Nuevo León, in Monterrey.

Alonso Murayama Toyonaga
General Director · Sh*to-Kai Sh*to Kai Murayama Karate

Some moments captured from our Spring Course with Murayama, Shihan.

A great course including Kihon, kata and Kumite.

Kata covered: Matsumura no Bassai; Gogenki ha Nipaipo and Miyagi-Tensho.

More photos to follow…

🔥An excellent opportunity to train under the direction of multi WKF kata champion, HASEGAWA shinichi Sensei.

A must for all Sh*toryu students in the UK🇯🇵👊🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Looking forward to this 🔥👊🏼🇯🇵