Born in the village of Gushikawa on April 19, 1925, GrandMaster Eizo Shimabukuro had the good fortune to have been taught by the legendary teachers of both Shorin and Shorei Ryu. GrandMaster Shimabukuro began his studies in 1937 under Chotoku Kyan, an expert of Tomari-te. It was Kyan-sensei whose effect on GrandMaster Shimabukuro has been most profound. Kyan-sensei's constant drilling on morals and conduct instilled in his students the humility and gentleness you see today in GrandMaster Shimabukuro. Under Kyan-sensei's tutelage, GrandMaster Shimabukuro excelled at kicking and tai sabaki. He is also one of the few people to learn the secret technique of defense against multiple attackers which consists of fighting inverted while in the safety of a tree. Kyan-sensei originated the katas Seisan, Ananku, Wanshu, Gojushiho and Chinto.

In 1938, GrandMaster Shimabukuro began training in Shorei Ryu under Goju Ryu's founder Chogun Miyagi. He trained simultaneously in Shorin Ryu and Goju Ryu under both Kyan and Miyagi senseis and continued to practice and teach both systems until 1950. Since then he has concentrated primarily on preserving and teaching Shorin Ryu. From Miyagi-sensei he acquired the strength and practiced the diaphragmatic breathing know to Goju Ryu. He still retains and teaches the kata Seuinchin and Sanchin from his training with Miyagi sensei. In 1943, GrandMaster Shimabukuro left Okinawa for Osaka. Living next door to his cousin in Osaka was Choki Motobu. GrandMaster Shimabukuro was able to avail himself of Motobu-sensei's expertise in regards his legendary and powerful punches. Makiwara were plentiful around Motobu-sensei's residence and marathon makiwara training was not uncommon.

In May of 1948, GrandMaster Shimabukuro opened his first dojo. This was the beginning of, what came to be, 53 years of continuously teaching traditional karate. For 20 years the U.S. Marine Corp contracted GrandMaster Shimabukuro to teach their troops at several different dojo. As of 2002, GrandMaster Shimabukuro estimates he has personally trained as many as 35,000 troops including Army and Air Force. In 1955, GrandMaster Shimabukuro trained with Zenryo Shimabukuro, a long time student of Chotoku Kyan. They were good friends and GrandMaster Shimabukuro credits Zenryo Shimabukuro as one of his teachers. In 1960, GrandMaster Shimabukuro was recognized as an expert in Okinawan karate and was awarded his 10th Dan by Kanken Toyama. Also, GrandMaster Shimabukuro was appointed to the position of Chairman of the Okinawa, General Headquarters, All Japan Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do International League.

In 1961, Shimabukuro, concerned with the changes he began to see in Shorin Ryu Karate, went to see the oldest Shorin Ryu GrandMaster alive at that time. His name was Chosin Chibana, a GrandMaster of Shuri Te. Wanting to preserve the old "Castle Karate" of Shuri, GrandMaster Shimabukuro trained with Chibana-sensei. GrandMaster Shimabukuro donned a white belt and humbly received instruction from Chibana-sensei in the correct form of those traditional kata. They are Naihanchi Shodan, Nidan and Sandan, Pinan Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan and Godan, Passai Sho and Passai Dai and Kusanku Sho and Kusanku Dai. GrandMaster Shimabukuro also preserves and teaches traditional Okinawan Kobudo. From Kyan-sensei he learned Tokumine no Kun and Sakagawa no Kun. These kata were devised by "Tode" Sakagawa and passed on via "Bushi" Matsumura. GrandMaster Shimabukuro's sai kata consist of Tawata no Sai as taught by Tawata via Taira Shinken to Shimabukuro and Toyei no Sai, a kata GrandMaster Shimabukuro originated in 1948. GrandMaster Shimabukuro also teaches his own kama kata that he devised in 1946 called Toyei no Kama.

Grand Master Shimabukuro considers himself fortunate to have had five great teachers. They are Chotoku Kyan, Chogun Miyagi, Tatsuo Shimabukuro (his older brother and founder of Isshin Ryu), Choki Motobu and Zenryo Shimabukuro.