Sensei Jerry Gunville, 5th Dan

Gunville Sensei is a Seattle native having begun his martial arts training in 1974 under Shihan Minakami. In 1977 Gunville Sensei moved to California and while living in Santa Ana had the opportunity to train at the dojo of Shihan Fumio Demura. After completing his Master's degree in Social Work he returned to Seattle and in 1984 resumed his martial arts training with Shihan Minakami.

In 1998 Gunville Sensei began the study and practice of Iai (drawing the sword from its scabbard, cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then returning the sword into the scabbard). In 2002 he traveled to Japan to test with the All Japan Kendo Federation and was awarded Shodan in Seitei Iai. Two years later he received his 5th Dan in Hayashi-ha Shito-ryu Kai.

Gunville Sensei is very appreciative of all that Shihan Minakami has shared over the years of his tremendous skill and insight about the martial arts. He cherishes the many opportunities to have been able train with so many dedicated students and can assert that the samurai spirit is very much alive at Minakami Karate. Gunville Sensei believes there is no end sight to training both inside or outside the dojo; that the true goal is always in the process and that this is where one will find their toughest opponent, themselves.