Iha Kotaro Sensei was born February 12, 1939. In 1958 he started his martial arts training under famed Shorinryu Karate teacher Chibana Choshin. In High School, Iha Sensei had an interest in the combative arts and joined a local Judo club. His success was limited because of his small stature. After graduation from High School, Iha Sensei decided to study Karate, feeling that this would give him the advantage in a fight. He soon found out that larger students also had an advantage over smaller practitioners in Karate. These events then led Iha Sensei to Kobudo, especially the Bo, where he knew that weapons, particularly the length of the Bo, would give him an advantage. In 1974 Iha Sensei opened his first Kobudo Dojo at his own house in Gushikawa,
Okinawa. In 1981, he founded the RyuKyu Kobudo RyuKonKai and was appointed it's President.

Tribute to Aka Seiko Sensei

Iha Kotaro
President RyuKonKai
(RyuKyu Kobudo Association)
1816-2 Taba
Gushikawa-Shi, Okinawa, Japan 904-2213

Dear Iha Sensei,

Congratulations on the 30^th anniversary of RyuKyu Kobudo RyuKonKai.
Since our visits to Okinawa we have realized the importance of retaining
the precious cultural assets of Okinawa, such as Karate and Kobudo. Through
your traditional teaching our dojo continues that link in passing on traditional
Okinawa Karate and RyuKyu Kobudo to present and future generations.

Again, congratulations on the 30^th anniversary of RyuKyu Kobudo RyuKonKai
and we thank you for your time and efforts in teaching us this truly precious Okinawa Martial Art.

We wish you continued success,

Carol Womack, Jeff Perkins
Okinawa Budo Kai Dojo
Michigan, U.S.A.