In 1992, after dedicating 17 years to mastering martial arts—ju-jutsu, Okinawa kobudo, karate, and iaido—Mebis Sensei embarked on a significant journey by founding the Yamato Ryu Nippon Budo Kai. This new organization officially began on January 1, 1993, marking the culmination of years of disciplined training and the beginning of a new chapter in his martial arts journey. Throughout this period, Mebis Sensei continued his studies under various instructors, constantly gaining new insights and evolving his understanding of the arts. The formation of YNBK was not the end, but rather the start of a new path, a commitment to lifelong learning.
In the early 1990s, a fortuitous encounter led Mebis Sensei to Miura Hanshi in Japan. They exchanged letters for several years, during which Mebis Sensei discovered that one of Miura’s students was teaching Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaijutsu in San Diego, USA. Eager to learn more, Mebis Sensei reached out to the JKI in the USA, where he first connected with Leonard Pellman Sensei. However, due to his father’s illness and subsequent passing in 1995, it wasn’t until the late 1990s that Mebis Sensei finally made his way to San Diego, where he became a student of Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi.
This marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey. For over a decade, Mebis Sensei trained closely with Shimabukuro Sensei, spending extensive time in the USA and hosting Sensei as a guest in his home in Belgium. In 2001, Shimabukuro Sensei entrusted Mebis Sensei with the responsibility of teaching MJER in Europe, where there was no representation of his organization at the time. When Mebis Sensei expressed his desire to follow Sensei’s way rather than his own, Shimabukuro Sensei replied simply, “Marc-San, I do it differently than Miura Hanshi in Japan too.” This statement reflected the trust and respect that existed between them. To ensure consistency, Mebis Sensei chose to teach in a manner aligned with Shimabukuro Sensei’s methods, so that when Sensei visited Belgium, his students would know what to expect. It was then that YNBK was renamed Jikishin Kai Europe (JKE).
The journey was not just about mastering the sword; it was also about learning the profound etiquette and wisdom that accompanied the practice. Mebis Sensei was fortunate to meet Miura Hanshi in person, who even remembered their correspondence from years earlier. In 2005, Shimabukuro Sensei invited Mebis Sensei to join the DNBK in Kyoto, Japan. Two years later, Mebis Sensei transitioned from the DNBK-ID USA to the Belgian section, where he coordinated the Flemish and Dutch sections for years before returning to the USA division in 2015.
In that same pivotal year, 2005, they began practicing Ono Ha Itto Ryu under the direct guidance of Sasamori Soke, the 17th headmaster, and Yabuki Soke, the 18th headmaster. They attended seminars in Italy, Germany, and Belgium to refine their skills. However, 2012 brought sorrowful news: Mebis Sensei received the heartbreaking news on his birthday, September 7, 2012, that Shimabukuro Sensei had passed away in San Diego just minutes earlier, marking the end of a profound era. Tragically, this loss came only months after they had also lost Miura Hanshi, who passed away on June 19 of the same year.
After Shimabukuro Sensei’s passing, Mebis Sensei remained with the organization, which had been renamed KNBK and was now led by Carl Long Hanshi. Mebis Sensei continued to honor Shimabukuro Sensei’s teachings as the European representative, just as he had done for many years with the JKI. As the most senior of Shimabukuro Sensei’s students in Europe, Mebis Sensei felt a deep sense of responsibility to keep his legacy alive.
In 2021, Mebis Sensei made the decision to leave the KNBK and revive the YNBK for personal reasons. The goal of the revived YNBK is clear: to preserve and perpetuate Shimabukuro Sensei’s teachings and lessons. The organization supports JKI, DNBK, and YNBK members worldwide, offering assistance wherever it is needed. The YNBK is not limited to Japanese sword arts; from its inception, it has embraced various other Japanese martial arts, including karate, kempo, aikido, ju-jutsu, aiki-jutsu, and jodo, among others. Skilled instructors within the YNBK are ready to guide members on their martial arts path, regardless of their discipline.
The YNBK’s structure is organized into Hombu dojo, Shibu dojo, Buin dojo, and Kenkyukai, a system once used by Shimabukuro Sensei. Each dojo within the structure is qualified according to the ranks and instructor licenses of the teachers, with distinct expectations for each type of dojo and its leader. Members have the opportunity for regular promotions for kyu and dan ranks, as well as instructor titles and shogo, which were also used by Miura Hanshi and Shimabukuro Hanshi.
While the YNBK does not dictate what dojo-cho should do within their dojo, there is one exception: to obtain an instructor’s license or a Dan rank, one must demonstrate proficiency in the basic waza taught by the organization. This ensures a certain standard is maintained, reflecting the principles upon which the YNBK was founded. Every member joins of their own volition and is expected to adhere to the basic standards set by chief instructors and a board of instructors for each martial art within the organization. Many of the YNBK’s instructors are also recognized and registered with the DNBK.
The Hombu instructors are proud members of the revived JKI, led by former students of Shimabukuro Sensei (Derick Martinez, Leonard Pellman, Marc Mebis, Richard Madriaga), who share the same objective as the YNBK: preserving Shimabukuro Sensei’s teachings. Each Hombu instructor has received personal training from Shimabukuro Hanshi over several years, as did Raul Oliva Sensei when Shimabukuro last visited Belgium in 2011. Herman Van Loo Sensei received his first Dan rank and instructor’s license from Shimabukuro Sensei during a trip to San Diego in 2011. Another long-time student of Shimabukuro Hanshi, Jeff Driscoll, Mebis Sensei’s brother in the USA, also shared many memorable hours with Sensei, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
When the YNBK was revived in 2021, Mebis Sensei was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming support from dojo and members around the world. Many knew him from his time with KNBK and expressed a desire to continue training under his guidance. It has been an honor and privilege for Mebis Sensei, though he urged everyone to ensure they were making the right decision in joining the organization.
As the YNBK grows, the need for rules and structure becomes evident. Rules are essential to maintain order and unity within the organization, and they may need to be adjusted as circumstances change. Without these rules, the organization would lose its purpose.
In closing, Mebis Sensei recalls one of Shimabukuro Sensei’s teachings: “We are not training good martial artists; we are training capable leaders.” To all who wish to be part of this journey, the YNBK welcomes you. Currently, members hail from the USA, the UK, Canada, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, and Belgium. If this path aligns with your goals, you are invited to join. If not, Mebis Sensei wishes you the best in your search for the right martial arts path and hopes you find what you seek.