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International Shorin Ryu Karate
Kobudo Federation
Founder:
George W. Alexander,
9th Dan
 The President and
Founder of the International Shorin Ryu Karate Kobudo
Federation is Master George W. Alexander. He is
acknowledged as the “World Pioneer of Shorin Ryu
Karate.” He began his training in 1964 while serving in
the United States Marine Corps. His Marine Corps
assignments enabled him to journey to the orient
including mainland Japan, Okinawa and Southeast Asia.
He began training in Shorin Ryu Karate in 1964 while
stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He quickly
earned a reputation as a rugged fighter in the Marine
Corps. During his career he trained with a host of
noted masters. He made it a point of seeking out the
best instructors.
A decorated veteran, he served as a team leader with the US Marine’s 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company in Vietnam. In 1967 and 1968 while stationed at Dong Ha, Vietnam he led jungle teams which gathered intelligence information. Since then he has become a uniquely qualified and popular instructor with international teaching credentials and experience. He has traveled widely to spread the teachings of Shorin Ryu Karate.
Currently Held Ranks and Titles
9th Dan - Hanshi Shorin Ryu Karate
9th Dan - Okinawa Kobudo
9th Dan - Hanshi Jujitsu
7th Dan - Kendo
3rd Dan - Judo
 Master Alexander earned a Baccalaureate Degree in Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida in 1979 and did graduate work in Asian history at the same university under Dr. Tsung I. Dow. He then received his Ph.D. in political science. He received his Master Certificate and teaching credentials in Shorin Ryu Karate and Kobudo in 1983 from the All Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate and Kobudo Association. He now holds the rank of 9th Dan Hanshi in Shorin Ryu Karate and Kobudo and is also acknowledged as an expert in Jujitsu and Kendo, Japanese swordsmanship. He is also a defensive tactics instructor and has taught members of the LAPD and LAPD SWAT, USC Police, Dept. of Homeland Security, LA County Sheriff’s Dept. and many other agencies in the U.S., Canada and Europe.
 In 1989 he founded Yamazato International, a company specializing in martial arts publications and video productions. He has been featured in a series of videotapes on Karate, Kobudo and Jujitsu. In 1991 he was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame and in 1998 voted one of the World’s Top 100 Martial Artists by the International Martial Arts Federation. As a competitor, he earned the titles of National AAU Karate Champion and World Karate Champion. He has appeared on the Discovery Channel as an expert commentator and has hosted a television show entitled “Martial Arts!”
Master Alexander has always been fascinated with the history of the martial arts and is an oriental art collector. As a result of this fascination, he has done much historical research and translation work and written numerous articles on the martial arts. According to Master Alexander, “History and technique seem to intertwine themselves”. He has written two of the leading books on Okinawan karate history. The first, Okinawa Island of Karate is an in-depth study on Okinawan Karate history. The second book is a translation of a secret text known as the Bubishi (Martial Art Spirit). He has also written The Essence of Shorin Ryu Karate and Warrior Jujitsu. In addition, he has written the Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Japanese Martial Arts and Japan’s Warrior Nation –The Samurai in the Twentieth Century. Master Alexander has established the Budokan Martial Arts Training Center in Reliance, Tennessee.
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