Paul Vermiglio
(1962)

Paul Vermiglio Born 1962 under two of the most prestigious birds in the land, the Liver Birds in Liverpool. It was an early age of 9 years that he was introduced to boxing by his Grandfather, Dominic Vermiglio. As boxing was short lived he soon moved onto Martial Arts, Ju-Jitsu and incessantly studied for the next 20 years. During this time as he travelled around the world (Merchant Navy) he had the opportunity to meet other practitioners from different cultural arts and train together. The experienced gained with others added extra impetus to the never-ending development of this young warrior. In 1996, with 2 suitcases and $2000 in his pocket he headed off to Okinawa in pursue of truth and clarity, especially as he was seeking clarification about Ryukyu Kobudo Kata and waza. 

A firm believer that Okinawa is the homeland of Ryukyu Kobudo and Karate. There is started his study of Ryukyu Kobudo and Shorin Ryu Karate. Prior to going to Okinawa he had spent 2 years at the renowned Karate Dojo, the "Red Triangle" and he still holds the greatest of respect for his then sensei's Andy Sherry, Bob Poynton and Frank Brennen. 

Paul joined the Hombu Dojo of Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai in Tomigisuku Village and trained under the senior instructor Kuniyoshi and Hiroshi Sensei. Dai Sensei Eisuke Akamine was already very sick and did not attend regular practice. After the death of the Okinawan Kobudo Master Akamine Eisuke he came under Akamine Hiroshi Sensei while remaining at the Sohombu Dojo. 

Through a chance meeting in Chiba, Japan with a fellow Israeli student at a seminar, a connection was made for Paul to bring Akamine Sensei and Kuniyoshi Sensei to Israel for an Introduction into Ryukyu Kobudo. This was in 1999. Since then he has made tireless efforts in developing the students in Israel, and keeping with his promise to Dai Sensei (Eisuke Akamine) in that he would make every effort to promote and preserve the legacy of Taira Shinken Sensei and Eisuke Akamine Sensei's Kobudo by travelling across the globe in a quite unique gypsy fashion. 
We here in Israel are very lucky that Vermiglio Sensei can spend a lot of time here and with our entire hearts wish that his stay here with us is a long one. 

A Word from Paul Vermiglio, Israel.
"Seeing something once is better than hearing about it one hundred times. Unfortunately quite frequently the opposite applies in today's world of Martial Arts. The increasing application requests of enrolment without the seeing. Do you ever wonder why such individuals are always requesting that you send them video's and application forms to join but don't want to get involved in the Introduction training process? It makes you wonder, doesn't it?" 

I am very happy and honoured to have played a small part in the great achievements of the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai Israel. We should all recognize, too, the special achievements of the Chief Instructor, Effie, who continuous to sit on a stone since 1999, is to be acknowledged and appreciated by all. 

Through this website, which will serve it's purpose in letting you know who we are and what we are about, we openly welcome with open doors new students looking for that flash of lightening which is like love, once you have been struck you will know about it. 
When you enter through doors of the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai Israel, the intellectual key as you will see it, is therefore to study hard and keep on practicing. Letting go of the go, now comes easily. Accepting others for what they are. Avoid hard headiness and closed mindedness. 
In closing I would just like to say: "We, who study traditional Ryukyu Kobudo and explore the concepts, and contribute peace and prosperity to the society."