Career
His training in the martial arts began at the age of 7 under Takagi where he trained in Jujitsu and Kodokan Judo. Akio Minakami received his Shihan certificate in 1983 from both the Hayashi-Ha school and the Federation of All Japan Karatedo Organization. Shihan Minakami currently holds the following dan ranks in martial arts:
8th Dan, Karate, from Hayashi-Ha Shitoryu-Kai
7th Dan, Karate, from the Federation of All Japan Karatedo Organization
5th Dan, Chinen Yamanni ryu Bojutsu, under Ryukyu Bujutsu Kenkyu Doyukai (Known as RBKD)
3rd Dan, Kendo
1st Dan, Judo
In 1985 he founded the Minakami Karate Dojo in Seattle, Washington.
Branches of the school are now located in Hawaii, Mexico and Europe.
The Minakami Karate Dojo teaches kumite, kata, sai, bō (both Kenshin-ryū and Yamanni Ryu styles) and traditional Japanese dojo etiquette.
