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    • Richard Kim

    United States
    b. 1917-11-17, HonoluluBorn 1917-11-17, Honolulu
    d. 2001-11-08, SacramentoDied 2001-11-08, Sacramento
    id_cardfamily_historyconversion_path

    Also known as

    Richard Sun Sung Kim · Biggie Kim · O'Sensei Kim

    Description

    American martial artist and founder of the Zen Bei Butoku Kai. A student of Daito-ryu master Kotaro Yoshida, from whom he received the menkyo kaiden, Kim introduced Masutatsu Oyama to Yoshida and was widely regarded as the foremost martial arts historian in the US.

    Teachers (5)

    • person
      Sawai Kenichi
      sports_martial_artsTaikiken Confirmed
      Confirmed
      Two sources have Kim continuing under Sawai in 1939. Neither says when the training started, how long it ran, or what it covered.
      The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      2 sources expand_more
      fact_check
      Two sources have Kim continuing under Sawai in 1939. Neither says when the training started, how long it ran, or what it covered.
      “In 1939, in addition to continuing to train under Sawai, Kim began studying Daito-ryu aikijujutsu, and Japanese and Okinawan weaponry under Kotaro Yoshida, who he came to regard as his primary Sensei.”
      — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Richard Kim (karate) - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
      “1939 He traveled to Japan, where he continued training under Nabu Kentsu and Kenichi Sawai. At the same time he began his lessons in Kobudo Toyama Kanken.”
      — Kokusai Butokukai. Richard Kim, Hanshi, 10. Dan - Kokusai Butokukailinkhistory info
    • Kōtarō Yoshida
      sports_martial_artsDaitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu Confirmed
      Confirmed
      Wikipedia, the Zen Bei Butoku Kai biography, and the Kokusai Butokukai timeline all identify Kotaro Yoshida as Richard Kim's principal teacher in Daito-ryu, who granted him the menkyo kaiden
      The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.
      (1939)
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      3 sources expand_more
      fact_check
      Wikipedia, the Zen Bei Butoku Kai biography, and the Kokusai Butokukai timeline all identify Kotaro Yoshida as Richard Kim's principal teacher in Daito-ryu, who granted him the menkyo kaiden
      “In 1939, in addition to continuing to train under Sawai, Kim began studying Daito-ryu aikijujutsu, and Japanese and Okinawan weaponry under Kotaro Yoshida, who he came to regard as his primary Sensei.”
      — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Richard Kim (karate) - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
      “Richard Kim continued his martial arts training while in Japan with Yoshida Kotaro, this time in daito ryu.”
      — Zen Bei Butoku Kai. O'Sensei Richard Kim - Zen Bei Butoku Kailink history info
      “1945 Richard Kim started studying Daito Ryu and Kobudo under his principal teacher Yoshida Kotaro. From Kotaro he received the award Menkyo Kaiden.”
      — Kokusai Butokukai. Richard Kim, Hanshi, 10. Dan - Kokusai Butokukailinkhistory info
    • person
      Arakaki Sadao
      sports_martial_artsKarate Probable
      Probable
      Wikipedia states Kim began studying karate under Sadao Arakaki after seeing Yabu Kentsu's 1927 demonstration.
      The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.
      (1927)
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      1 source expand_more
      fact_check
      Wikipedia states Kim began studying karate under Sadao Arakaki after seeing Yabu Kentsu's 1927 demonstration.
      “After seeing a demonstration by Kentsū Yabu, who spent most of 1927 in Hawaii, Kim began studying karate under Arakaki Sadao [...], who represented Yabu in Hawaii.”
      — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Richard Kim (karate) - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
    • Kentsū Yabu
      sports_martial_artsKarate Probable
      Probable
      Wikipedia and the Zen Bei Butoku Kai biography both document that Kim trained with Okinawan karate master Yabu Kentsu, whom he met again in Japan in the 1930s
      The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      1 source expand_more
      fact_check
      Wikipedia and the Zen Bei Butoku Kai biography both document that Kim trained with Okinawan karate master Yabu Kentsu, whom he met again in Japan in the 1930s
      “Later, in the 1930s, OSensei Kim met Yabu Kentsu again in Japan and continued his training with him there”
      — Zen Bei Butoku Kai. O'Sensei Richard Kim - Zen Bei Butoku Kailink history info
    • person
      Toyama Kanken
      sports_martial_artsOkinawan Kobudō Probable
      Probable
      The Kokusai Butokukai timeline states Kim began lessons in kobudo under Toyama Kanken in 1939.
      The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.
      (1939)
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      1 source expand_more
      fact_check
      The Kokusai Butokukai timeline states Kim began lessons in kobudo under Toyama Kanken in 1939.
      “1939 He traveled to Japan, where he continued training under Nabu Kentsu and Kenichi Sawai. At the same time he began his lessons in Kobudo Toyama Kanken.”
      — Kokusai Butokukai. Richard Kim, Hanshi, 10. Dan - Kokusai Butokukailinkhistory info

    Lineage

    • Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsuKōtarō Yoshida ← Takeda Sōkaku · 2 generations

    Ranks (4)

    • sports_martial_artsDaitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu
      receipt_longMenkyo Kaiden Confirmed
      Confirmed
      Wikipedia, the Zen Bei Butoku Kai biography, and the Kokusai Butokukai timeline all state Kim received the Daito-ryu menkyo kaiden from Yoshida Kotaro; Wikipedia notes it was confirmed in 2024 by the Zen Bei Butoku Kai archives
      The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.
      Menkyo Licence System
      granted by Kōtarō Yoshida
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      2 sources expand_more
      fact_check
      Wikipedia, the Zen Bei Butoku Kai biography, and the Kokusai Butokukai timeline all state Kim received the Daito-ryu menkyo kaiden from Yoshida Kotaro; Wikipedia notes it was confirmed in 2024 by the Zen Bei Butoku Kai archives
      “Kim stated that he had Daito-ryu scrolls in his possession, and had been granted a Daito-ryu menkyo kaiden [...] by Yoshida. This claim had been questioned by some in the martial arts community until it was confirmed in 2024 by the Zen Bei Butoku Kai”
      — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Richard Kim (karate) - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
      “OSensei Richard Kim became an apprentice under Kotaro and eventually was given the menkyo kaiden for daito ryu”
      — Zen Bei Butoku Kai. O'Sensei Richard Kim - Zen Bei Butoku Kailink history info
    • sports_martial_artsKarate
      military_tech10 dan Confirmed
      Confirmed
      The Kokusai Butokukai timeline dates Kim's 10th dan to 1999 from the ITKF. Wikipedia notes the ITKF Judan was also presented posthumously at Kim's memorial service by ITKF's Hidetaka Nishiyama.
      The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.
      Dan-Kyu System (1999)
      granted by International Traditional Karate Federation
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      2 sources expand_more
      fact_check
      The Kokusai Butokukai timeline dates Kim's 10th dan to 1999 from the ITKF. Wikipedia notes the ITKF Judan was also presented posthumously at Kim's memorial service by ITKF's Hidetaka Nishiyama.
      “1999 Appointment to Ju Dan (10th Dan) from I.T.K.F.”
      — Kokusai Butokukai. Richard Kim, Hanshi, 10. Dan - Kokusai Butokukailinkhistory info
      “At his memorial service, Hidetaka Nishiyama of the ITKF presented Kim with the rank of Judan (10th degree black belt) posthumously.”
      — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Richard Kim (karate) - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
      military_tech10 dan Probable
      Probable
      Wikipedia states the Hawaii Karate Kodanshakai presented Kim with the rank of Judan (10th degree black belt) in 2000
      The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.
      Dan-Kyu System (2000)
      granted by Hawaii Karate Kodanshakai
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      1 source expand_more
      fact_check
      Wikipedia states the Hawaii Karate Kodanshakai presented Kim with the rank of Judan (10th degree black belt) in 2000
      “In 2000, the Hawaii Karate Kodanshakai, a multi-style karate association of senior instructors, presented Kim with the rank of Judan (10th degree black belt).”
      — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Richard Kim (karate) - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
      military_tech9 dan Probable
      Probable
      The Kokusai Butokukai certificate record dates Kim's 9th dan from the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai on December 1, 1969
      The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.
      Dan-Kyu System (1969-12-01)
      granted by Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      1 source expand_more
      fact_check
      The Kokusai Butokukai certificate record dates Kim's 9th dan from the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai on December 1, 1969
      “1969 On December, Richard Kim receives the Ku Dan (9th Dan) from the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai.”
      — Kokusai Butokukai. Richard Kim, Hanshi, 10. Dan - Kokusai Butokukailinkhistory info

    Honours (3)

    • receipt_longBlack Belt Magazine Karate Sensei of the Year Probable
      Probable
      Wikipedia states Kim was named Black Belt Magazine's Karate Sensei of the Year in 1967
      The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.
      Title (1967)
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      1 source expand_more
      fact_check
      Wikipedia states Kim was named Black Belt Magazine's Karate Sensei of the Year in 1967
      “Kim was named Black Belt Magazine's "Karate Sensei of the Year", in 1967, and was later inducted into the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame.”
      — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Richard Kim (karate) - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
    • receipt_longBlack Belt Magazine Hall of Fame inductee Confirmed
      Confirmed
      Wikipedia states Kim was inducted into the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame; the Kokusai Butokukai timeline dates it to 1973
      The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.
      Title
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      2 sources expand_more
      fact_check
      Wikipedia states Kim was inducted into the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame; the Kokusai Butokukai timeline dates it to 1973
      “and was later inducted into the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame.”
      — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Richard Kim (karate) - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
      “1973 He is named Man of the Year in the Black Belt Hall Of Fame.”
      — Kokusai Butokukai. Richard Kim, Hanshi, 10. Dan - Kokusai Butokukailinkhistory info
    • receipt_longHanshiHanshi Probable
      Probable
      The Kokusai Butokukai certificate record dates Kim's Hanshi appointment from the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai on July 15, 1973
      The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.
      Title (1973-07-15)
      granted by Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      1 source expand_more
      fact_check
      The Kokusai Butokukai certificate record dates Kim's Hanshi appointment from the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai on July 15, 1973
      “1973 [...] On July, Richard Kim is appointed Hanshi by Dai Nippon Butoku Kai.”
      — Kokusai Butokukai. Richard Kim, Hanshi, 10. Dan - Kokusai Butokukailinkhistory info

    Sources

    Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Richard Kim (karate) - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
    reviewsPeer-reviewed
    Toth, Robert. (2006). El Legado del Dr. Richard Kim: Una Entrevista con Brian Ricci. Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticaslink history info
    Caile, Christopher. (2001). Memories Of Richard Kim & his Karate. FightingArts.comlink info
    Zen Bei Butoku Kai. O'Sensei Richard Kim - Zen Bei Butoku Kailink history info
    Kokusai Butokukai. Richard Kim, Hanshi, 10. Dan - Kokusai Butokukailinkhistory info

    Identifiers

    https://martial.is/entity/01KZ0ZT8VBPHFXAD3JS8ZRYQWG
    Wikidata VIAFISNI

    Cite and reuse

    CC BY-SA 4.0expand_more
    Plain text
    Muñoz, Frederico (YEAR_PLACEHOLDER). Richard Kim. In Martialis: Martial Arts Lineage Database. https://martial.is/entity/01KZ0ZT8VBPHFXAD3JS8ZRYQWG - CC BY-SA 4.0. Accessed ACCESSED_DATE_PLACEHOLDER.
    BibTeX
    @incollection{martialis_01KZ0ZT8VBPHFXAD3JS8ZRYQWG, author = {Muñoz, Frederico}, title = {Richard Kim}, booktitle = {Martialis: Martial Arts Lineage Database}, year = {YEAR_PLACEHOLDER}, url = {https://martial.is/entity/01KZ0ZT8VBPHFXAD3JS8ZRYQWG}, urldate = {ACCESSED_DATE_PLACEHOLDER}, note = {CC BY-SA 4.0} }
    data_object JSON-LDdata_object Turtle

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