Zen Bei Butoku-Kai
The Zen Bei Butoku-Kai was founded by Master Richard Kim in the early 1960’s, and was based in San Francisco California. Master Kim was the unofficial International representative of the Dai-Nippon Butoku-Kai of Japan. He was recommended to the legendary Ohno Kumao, who was the head of the reformation of the Dai Nippon Butoku-Kai after WWII, by another famous martial artist, Hiroshi Kinjo, for his 7th 8th and 9th Dan.
Master Kim resigned from the Dai Nippon Butoku-Kai in the early 1990’s as the old guard had changed and the Dai Nippon Butoku-Kai was heading in a different direction. Branches of the The Zen Bei Bu Toku Kai were established in Canada, France, Germany, England and Finland.
Zen Bei Bu Toku Kai is not affiliated in any way with any Japanese martial arts organization. After the passing of Master Richard Kim in 2001 the Zen Bei Bu Toku Kai was carried on by some of his top students and continues to advance and promote the teachings of Master Kim. The Zen Bei Bu Toku Kai is based in California and is headed by Sensei Rod Sanford and Sensei Louis Jemison.
Information regarding Sensei Kim and the Dai Nippon Butoku-Kai was taken from the book by Don Warrener, “20th Century Samurai, Richard Kim 1917-2001”, Rising Sun productions 2006.