Kosho Kuniba was five years old, when his father was killed in the World War II. His uncle, Kosei Kukuba, who was a Karate master, adopted Kosho as his son and started teaching Kosho his art in the dojo that he had named it Seishinkan. Kokuba sent Kosho to Mabuni, Tomoyori  to enrich Kosho's Karate skills. Later he called Kosho, Shogo. 

At the age of 24 Shogo Kuniba became the youngest Soke in the Japanese Karate system, and took over all responsibilities of his father, which mainly came from Choki Motobu. Therefore, he was the third Soke of RyuKyu Motobu-ha Karate do, after Motobu and his father. In 1970 Kuniba took over the administrative responsibility of his father's organisation and named it Seishinkai. 

Kuniba integrated his ideas in Aikido, Jūjutsu, Jūdō and several traditional schools, he named his Karatedo style Motobu-ha Shito Ryu, the style in which he was the first Soke. According to the International Seishinkai Karate Union website Shōgō Kuniba, had had the rank of Hachindan (8th Dan ) in Karate do, Iaido, Kobudō and Goshin Budō. These different styles were the bases for creating his new martial arts in Kuniba-ha Shito Ryu, Goshindo, which was a new self-defence system, Iaidō  as a variant of Mugai-ryū and Kobudo from Ryukyu Kobujutsu. Later Kuniba was promoted to 9th Dan by the Japan Karate Federation (JKF). 

When Shogo Kuniba passed away, his organisation was splited. In Japan, Kunio Tatsuno became Soke of Motobu-Ha Karate Do and Kaicho of Seishinkai. In the U.S., Kuniba named William H. Price as second Soke of both Kuniba-ha SHito Ryu Karate Do and Kuniba Ryu Goshindō on March 16, 1992. Kuniba was honorary promoted to 10th Dan by the JKF after his death.

The Historical Roots of Kuniba-ha and Chikubukai

The Origins of Karate on Okinawa

Karatedo originated on the Ryukyu Islands, present-day Okinawa, where local fighting traditions developed through centuries of cultural exchange with China and neighboring regions. Early Okinawan martial arts were commonly referred to as Te ("Hand") or Tode ("Chinese Hand"), reflecting both indigenous and foreign influences. Over time, several regional traditions emerged. The most influential were Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te. While each developed distinct characteristics, they shared common roots and continuously influenced one another.

Shuri-te

Developed around the royal capital of Shuri, Shuri-te is associated with masters such as Sokon Matsumura (c. 1809–1899) and later Anko Itosu (1831–1915). The tradition emphasized natural movement, mobility, speed, and efficient striking techniques. Many kata that became fundamental to modern karate originate from this tradition, including Naihanchi, Passai (Bassai), Kusanku, and Chinto.

Naha-te

Centered around the port city of Naha, Naha-te was strongly influenced by Chinese martial arts. Its most prominent representative was Kanryo Higaonna (1853–1915). Naha-te emphasized breathing, body structure, stability, and whole-body power generation. Kata such as Seisan, Seienchin, Seipai, Kururunfa, and Tensho trace their origins to this tradition.

Tomari-te

Tomari-te developed in the village of Tomari and is often viewed as a bridge between the traditions of Shuri and Naha. Several important kata, including Rohai and Tomari Bassai, are associated with this lineage. Although less well known than Shuri-te and Naha-te, Tomari-te contributed significantly to the diversity of Okinawan karate and helped preserve influences from both local and Chinese martial traditions.

Kenwa Mabuni and the Creation of Shito-ryu

Few individuals have had a greater impact on karate than Kenwa Mabuni (1889–1952).

Mabuni studied extensively under both Anko Itosu and Kanryo Higaonna, gaining deep insight into the traditions of both Shuri-te and Naha-te. Unlike many of his contemporaries, however, he did not limit himself to a single lineage. Throughout his life he actively sought out teachers from different Okinawan traditions and worked to document and preserve their teachings. The result was Shito-ryu, formally established during the 1920s and 1930s, and today recognised as one of the most comprehensive karate systems ever created. Rather than replacing older traditions, Mabuni sought to preserve them. As a consequence, Shito-ryu contains kata and technical principles originating from Shuri-te, Naha-te, Tomari-te, and several smaller Okinawan lineages. This commitment to preserving Okinawa's martial heritage remains one of the defining characteristics of Shito-ryu today.

From Motobu to Kuniba: The Development of a Modern Budo Tradition

Choki Motobu and Practical Karate (1870–1944)

While Kenwa Mabuni is remembered as one of the great preservers of Okinawan karatedo, Choki Motobu became renowned for his emphasis on practical application. Motobu believed that Kata should serve as a foundation for real fighting skills rather than an end in themselves. His training focused heavily on Kumite, Bunkai, close-range techniques, and practical self-defense applications. In particular, he is remembered for his deep study of Naihanchi and for his conviction that the principles contained within Kata must be understood through application and experience. His practical approach would later become one of the defining influences on the development of Motobu-ha and, ultimately, Kuniba-ha.

Kosei Kokuba and the Formation of Seishinkai (1909–1959)

A key figure in the transmission of Motobu's teachings was Kosei Kokuba.

In 1943, Kokuba established the Seishin-kan dojo in Osaka, creating a meeting place for practitioners from different martial traditions during a period of profound change in Japanese martial arts. Through close relationships with leading figures such as Kenwa Mabuni and members of the Motobu family, Kokuba helped preserve both the technical heritage of Shito-ryu and the practical philosophy associated with Motobu-ha karate. The later development of Seishinkai reflected a broader vision of Budo, one that encouraged the exchange of ideas between different disciplines while remaining rooted in traditional values. Seishinkai became more than a karate organisation; it provided an environment in which Okinawan and Japanese martial traditions could develop side by side. Although his life was relatively short, Kokuba laid the foundation upon which future generations would build.

Shogo Kuniba and the Integration of Budo Traditions (1935–1992)

If Kosei Kokuba laid the foundation, Shogo Kuniba built the structure that would carry these traditions into the modern era. Born in Osaka in 1935, Shogo Kuniba was raised within the Seishin-kan environment established by Kosei Kokuba. He began martial arts training at a very young age, reportedly around five years old, and was exposed from childhood to an extraordinary range of teachers, traditions, and martial disciplines. 

Unlike many martial artists who spend decades seeking instruction from different schools, Kuniba grew up in an environment where leading masters regularly visited, taught, and exchanged ideas. Through Kokuba's connections, he was introduced at an early age to the teachings of Kenwa Mabuni, the practical philosophy of Choki Motobu, and numerous practitioners representing both Okinawan and Japanese martial traditions. 

This unique upbringing profoundly shaped his approach to Budo. Rather than viewing martial arts as separate systems, Kuniba came to see them as different expressions of common principles. The diversity of influences surrounding him from childhood would later become one of the defining characteristics of his own teaching. Following the death of Kosei Kokuba in 1959, Kuniba assumed leadership responsibilities at a remarkably young age. While deeply respectful of the traditions he inherited, he was never content merely to preserve them. Instead, he dedicated his life to refining, integrating, and transmitting them to future generations.

His studies extended far beyond karate and included Kobudo, Iaido, Judo, Goshin-jutsu, and influences from Aikido and other Japanese martial traditions. Through decades of training, teaching, and international travel, he developed an approach that combined technical precision, practical effectiveness, and personal development. By the 1970s and 1980s, Shogo Kuniba had become one of the most respected and influential martial artists of his generation. Through seminars, demonstrations, and direct instruction across North America, Europe, and Asia, he introduced thousands of practitioners to a broader vision of Budo that transcended stylistic boundaries.

This vision eventually became known as Kuniba-ha. More than simply a style of karate, Kuniba-ha represents Shogo Kuniba's lifelong effort to preserve the best elements of Okinawan karate while integrating insights gained from a wide range of martial disciplines. Through his leadership, technical innovation, and commitment to martial education, he transformed a collection of inherited traditions into a coherent and living Budo system. His influence continues to shape the training and philosophy of practitioners throughout the world.

Preserving a Broader Martial Heritage

One of Shogo Kuniba's distinguishing characteristics was his commitment to preserving and studying martial traditions beyond the core curriculum of Shito-ryu. While the foundation of Kuniba-ha rests upon the teachings of Kenwa Mabuni and the practical philosophy of Choki Motobu, the system also preserves kata originating from other Okinawan and Chinese-influenced traditions. Examples include kata such as Annan and Pachu, which are commonly associated with Ryuei-ryu and traditions linked to the Chinese martial artist Ryū Ryū Kō. Their inclusion reflects Kuniba's broader vision of Budo: preserving valuable martial knowledge regardless of stylistic boundaries. As a result, Kuniba-ha represents not only the inheritance of Shito-ryu and Motobu-ha, but also a wider effort to preserve elements of Okinawa's diverse martial heritage.

Kuniba-ryu Goshindo

As his understanding of martial arts continued to evolve, Kuniba sought to create a system that integrated the principles he had encountered throughout a lifetime of training. This work led to the development of Kuniba-ryu Goshindo, a comprehensive self-defense system that drew upon Karatedo, Kobudo, Iaido, Judo, Goshin-jutsu, and other martial disciplines. Rather than viewing these arts as separate traditions, Kuniba regarded them as complementary expressions of common martial principles. Kuniba-ryu Goshindo became one of the clearest expressions of his belief that effective budo requires adaptability, continuous learning, and an understanding that transcends stylistic boundaries. 

Bill Price and the International Preservation of Kuniba's Legacy

During the later years of his life, Shogo Kuniba spent considerable time teaching internationally, particularly in North America. Among his closest students and personal friends was Soke William H. Price. Through more than two decades of direct training and collaboration, Price gained unique insight into Kuniba's evolving martial philosophy and became one of the principal figures responsible for transmitting those teachings outside Japan. Following Kuniba's passing in 1992, Price played a central role in preserving and promoting the teachings he had received. Through the continued development of Chikubukai International, he helped ensure that Kuniba's vision of integrated budo would continue to be transmitted to future generations.

Chikubukai Today

Today, Chikubukai continues to preserve and develop the traditions inherited from Okinawan karate and Japanese Budo. The organisation maintains a strong foundation in Kuniba-ha Karatedo while also preserving associated disciplines such as Kobudo, Iaido, and Goshindo. Through this broad approach, Chikubukai seeks to honor the legacy of Kenwa Mabuni, Choki Motobu, Kosei Kokuba, Shogo Kuniba, and William H. Price. More than a style of karate, Chikubukai represents a living martial tradition built upon the preservation, integration, and practical application of principles passed down through generations of dedicated teachers. Today, Chikubukai preserves not only a technical curriculum, but also the broader martial vision developed by Shogo Kuniba, a vision in which Karatedo, Kobudo, Iaido, Goshindo, and the practical principles inherited from earlier generations form parts of a unified Budo tradition.

 "William H. Price is named by me as Second Soke of both Kuniba Ha Shito Ryu and Kuniba Ryu Goshindo."  and "Upon my death, William H. Price is named Soke of Kuniba Ha Shito Ryu and Kuniba Ryu Goshindo. He shall assume all duties and responsibilities currently undertaken by me. Goichi Kobayashi shall serve as head advisor and Shoji Kiyama as advisor."

 In addition to this notarised document, Kuniba, Soke made a public declaration of the above statements on May 30th, 1992 at the Waynesboro Correction Academy in Waynesboro, Virginia, in the presence of approximately 15 Yudansha.