Seiichi Akamine

Seiichi Akamine
S. Akamine and the Ken-Shin-Kan logo
Born	14 May 1920 Naha, Okinawa, Japan
Died	18 July 1995(1995-07-18) (aged 75) São Paulo, Brazil
Other names	Shikan Akamine, Yoshitaka Akamine
Style	Gōjū-ryū Karate
Teacher(s)	Chōmo Hanashiro, Kentsū Yabu, Chōtoku Kyan, Kanki Izumigawa, Sekō Higa
Rank	8th dan karate
Notable school(s)	Brazilian Association of Karate-Do, Ken-Shin-Kan

Seiichi Akamine (赤嶺 誠一, Akamine Seiichi^?, 14 May 1920 – 18 July 1995; also known as Shikan Akamine and Yoshitaka Akamine) was a Japanese master of Gōjū-ryū karate, a pioneer of the art in South America, and founder of the Ken-Shin-Kan Karate School which operates in various South American countries, the United States of America, Spain, and Australia. The school is also known as Kenshin-ryu or Shikan-ryu in parts of the world. Akamine was one of the most senior karate instructors to come to South America, holding the rank of 8th dan from the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, and was the first Gōjū-ryū master in South America.

Akamine was born on 14 May 1920 in Izumizaki, Naha, Okinawa, Japan. He was the youngest of six brothers, and the only one of them to practise martial arts. He began training in the martial arts as a child under his paternal grandfather (who had been samurai), and later, more formally under Chōmo Hanashiro, Yabu Kentsū, and Chōtoku Kyan. Akamine practised Shuri-te until he met Chōjun Miyagi and devoted himself to the latter's Gōjū-ryū style.

Within the Gōjū-ryū fraternity, Akamine was most influenced by Sekō Higa (one of Miyagi’s senior students) and Kanki Izumigawa. He received promotion to the rank of 1st dan black belt in Gōjū-ryū at the age of 16, 2nd dan at 18, and 3rd dan at 20, all under Izumigawa. He was promoted to 4th dan at the age of 22, under Higa. Akamine also learned other arts, including Kanbun Uechi's Uechi-ryu style, Seitoku Higa's Bugeikan style,Seiken Shukumine's Gensei-ryu style, and kobudo (principally under Shinko Matayoshi). Akamine also learned various other Japanese martial arts and travelled to Fujian Province in China to learn kempo.