My Journey With the Grandmaster: Reflections of an American Martial Artist on Okinawa

September 1997 Sensei Hayes of Stafford Virginia has published a new and unique work regarding Okinawan Karate-do. This book focuses on Grandmaster Eizo Shimabukuro and the Shobayashi Shorin-ryu system of karate-do; it includes anecdotal information on a number of other systems and Okinawan Karate personalities. New information regarding the culture of Okinawa, training methods, the interpretation of kata, and other areas of interest, much of which has never been published before, will be presented. Based on interviews and journal notes gathered over thirty years we believe this book will help readers “fill in the gaps” in their personal training and teaching.

“My Journey with The Grand Master” – Reflections of an American Martial Artist on Okinawa, by Bill Hayes is a book which has been requested by a large number of serious karate enthusiasts over the years and is available now.

Bill Hayes is one of the most senior ranking students of Grandmaster Shimabukuro and has been studying karate-do since the early sixties. He is the former U. S. Director of Grandmaster Shimabukuro's international karate association, a retired Marine Corps Major (two-time Vietnam veteran), and former tournament champion. He is currently publishing The Okinawan Shorin-ryu Karate-Do Research Society Newsletter, and is an International Executive with Interior Design Nutritionals, Inc. Mr. Hayes is a noted instructor, guest lecturer and network marketing consultant who has appeared in numerous media, to include magazines, television, and martial arts videos. His martial arts seminars are always well attended and informative for advanced students as well as beginners. We believe you will find his special insights of great value regardless of your style or level of training.