Kimura Martial Arts Academy
Member of World Shorinji Kempo Organization 1963 - 1997	The Home of the Japanese Martial Arts	Member of All United States Kendo Federation
Menkyo Kaiden Chukyu by Kotoken Kajihara	3211 Transit Rd. · Buffalo NY · 14043 (716) 675 8430

Welcome to the Kimura Martial Arts Academy home page! We hope you find this site informative and that it answers any questions you may have about the Academy, its Master, or the arts of Kendo and Goshin Kempo. If you would like more information please feel free to call, write, e-mail or visit us in person. Thank you for taking your time to get to know us - and we look forward to hearing from you or meeting you.

History of the Academy

Mr. Hiroaki Kimura began instructing Shorinji Kempo at the Lancaster Boys Club (Lancaster, NY) in 1967. In 1978 “Kimura Martial Arts Academy” was established as the official name of the organization. In early 1981 the academy was moved to the current address.

In early 1988 Kendo was introduced and added to the academy. In 1996 the All United States Kendo Federation accepted the Buffalo Kendo club as the first official Kendo school in Western New York. “Buffalo Kendo Club” was then established as the official name.

Biography of Hiroaki Kimura

Mr. Kimura was born and raised in Japan until the age of 22. He first showed interest in martial arts at a very young age. His father was the Judo coach of the hometown high school. When Mr. Kimura entered high school his interest in developing martial arts had grown, but his father no longer taught judo in his high school, so he studied Kendo for 2 years. At the age of 18 Mr. Kimura entered college and prepared to study Judo. After one practice session Mr. Kimura realized that Judo was too intense for him.

To this day Mr. Kimura believes his first Judo session was the hardest martial arts moment of his life. Mr. Kimura still had much interest in martial arts. Shortly after the Judo incident, Mr. Kimura joined the Shorinji Kempo club of the university. Under the supervision of well known Goda Sensei (Imabari Doin) Mr. Kimura achieved 1st Dan after one year of practicing 2 hours a day, 6 days a week. During a four year period Mr. Kimura practiced in all types of weather , whether it be rain, snow, or training in 100 degrees while fighting bugs since the school was unable to provide an indoor facility. Training was often tough , but through demonstrating great martial art skill and effort he achieved co-captain during his junior year.

At the age of 22 shortly after graduating from college Mr. Kimura moved to the United States. In December of 1967 Mr. Kimura recognized the strong interest in martial arts in the United States. It was at this point that he started his first class at the Lancaster Boys Club as a hobby. In 1976 martial arts was no longer his hobby, but his new career. Mr. Kimura is now a Martial Arts Instructor and Supplier .

In 1978 Mr. Kimura started his first official academy. In 1997 after 34 years with the World Shorinji Kempo Organization, Mr. Kimura left the organization to develop a more efficient yet simple self-defense art. In 1984 Mr. Kimura achieved 4th Dan in Shorinji Kempo and he will challenge the 5th dan in Kendo in 2007.

Mr. Kimura's Philosophy

During the 36 years of experience in Kempo and the 12 years in Kendo, Mr. Kimura developed his own philosophy and methods of training. Mr. Kimura believes that the purpose of martial arts training is not only to protect one’s self but in developing a physically and mentally healthy person. Good and safe martial art training requires hard work with good discipline, good manners, and concentration. Once you develop these necessities then you can apply these ideals to your daily life and establish better relationships with others.

Mr. Kimura keeps a very high standard of martial arts training, so this self-defense skill can be developed in a natural way.

Even though Kendo and Shorinji Kempo are taught separately Mr. Kimura is developing a method in which the two arts can be utilized together. Methods such as how to set distance and angle to your advantage and how to keep concentration offensively and defensively are taught. Also the development of Ki (Chi) power is emphasized.