Read here about the origins of KIMAA in Kyokushin with Sosai Mas Oyama, the years after, and affiliation with Sensei Tetsuhiro Hokama in Kobudo:
- Introduction
- Kyokushin Origins with Sosai Mas Oyama
- After Sosai’s Death
- Sensei Hokama and Kobudo
- The Passing of Hanshi Howard Lipman
1. Introduction
At KIMAA all of our accredited black belts continue their learning through regular training and teaching seminars as taught in Japan, ensuring that KIMAA is able to offer the highest quality training experience across our dojos in New South Wales. Kyokushin Karate is offered as per the teachings of Sosai Mas Oyama. Kobudo weapons is offered as taught by Sensei Tetsuhiro Hokama, who regularly meets and trains with KIMAA’s senior instructors.
2. Kyokushin Origins with Sosai Mas Oyama
In 1989, after being promoted to the rank of 4th Dan, Hanshi Howard Lipman was invited to Tokyo by Sosai Oyama. During this visit he was promoted by Sosai Oyama to Branch Chief and was asked to form his own Branch of Kyokushin in Australia.
This he did and continued to travel to Japan to train with Sosai. In 1992 he was graded in Japan by Sosai at a Branch Chiefs’ training camp in Yugawara to the rank of 5th Dan. His next trip to Japan to train with Sosai Oyama. During this period, Hanshi Howard was regularly teaching at a dozen dojos across Sydney, and managing more.
On New Years Day of 1994 when Hanshi rang Sosai to wish him a Happy New Year. Sosai asked him to return to Japan all expenses paid to spend a week with him. Hanshi Howard did this in early January and spent a week together with Sosai. There was no training, simply lots of meals and discussions together, this was to be the last time Hanshi saw Sosai as he passed away in April of 1994.
This was a very special week in the company of a very special man and one which will never be forgotten.
3. After Sosai’s Death
Due to growing political instability that sadly followed Sosai Oyama’s death, Hanshi Howard Lipman resigned from his position on the World Board of Directors in the IKO in 2000. From 2000 to 2008 Hanshi Howard concentrated on consolidating his Dojo at Turramurra, with considerable effort being put into his black belts to improve their knowledge and ability. He continued to travel to Japan during this time and attended tournaments and seminars to improve his own knowledge. Over the years, Hanshi led an organisation that held, at varying times, dojo locations in Turramurra, Annangrove, Lismore, Ballina, Brisbane and Young.
This video showcases KIMAA today:
4. Sensei Hokama and Kobudo
In January 2008 Hanshi Howard met Sensei Hokama in Okinawa and knew at once that this Sensei was the man with whom he wished to continue his Martial Arts studies.
Hanshi returned to Okinawa in May of 2008 with a group of black belts, and so began the three trips a year to Okinawa for many years. The main purpose of these trips was to learn Kobudo so it could be taught to the KIMAA students as well as Kyokushin, and therefore broadening their martial arts knowledge.
The many years of experience Hanshi Howard has in Kyokushin has been added to by the instruction of Sensei Hokama.
KIMAA’s senior instructors have made a commitment to continue to travel to Okinawa to learn from Sensei Hokama and thus enhance their knowledge further.
5. The Passing of Hanshi Howard Lipman
Hanshi Howard Lipman, KIMAA Founder & Chairman, sadly passed away on 9 July 2024. Following this, Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia (KIMAA) was transferred to Shihan James Sidwell by Hanshi’s widow Masumi Lipman, as per the wishes of her late husband.
Shihan James, the new KIMAA Chairman, immediately created an Executive Leadership Board (pictured), and appointed Shihan Idir Bahamid and Shihan Mark Shelmerdine as Executive Board Members.
The Executive Board is supported by Sensei Mark Long (Regional Lead) and Sensei Alex Lloyd (Secretary).
KIMAA will continue onwards and upwards, as per the guiding principles taught to us by Hanshi Howard Lipman, as Sosai Mas Oyama taught him.
Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia 