This page displays Dai Nippon Butokukai (Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society) items in the collection of the Hawaii Karate Museum, including a large collection of booklets donated by Sensei James Davenport, in memory of Sensei George Van Horne. The Dai Nippon Butokukai was formed in 1895 as the official body to regulate the martial arts in Japan, including Karate beginning in the 1930s. Information about the Dai Nippon Butokukai is available at dnbk.org.
Prior to World War II, many martial artists in Hawaii (especially in Kendo and Ju Jitsu/Judo) were members of the Dai Nippon Butokukai. In the group photo above, Sensei Henry Seishiro Okazaki, a well known Ju Jitsu instructor, sits in the second row, second from left. The Japanese writing states that the event was a Dai Nippon Butokukai Hawaii Division gathering on July 26, 1936. Click the photo for a larger version (photo donated by Connie Day). It is believed that this photo was taken at the Kotohira Jinsha Temple in Kalihi. Okazaki Sensei is wearing a Dai Nippon Butokukai 4th Class Merit Membership silver pin on his left lapel. Three of the other gentlemen in the row are also wearing Dai Nippon Butokukai pins.
After World War II, one of the only Hawaii Karate instructors to become a member of the Dai Nippon Butokukai was Sensei Jimmy Miyaji. His Sensei, Richard Kim, was also a member of the organization.
Membership Cards and Certificates
