Sensei Akamine was born in the city of Naha, Okinawa, on the 14 May 1920. He began to learn the martial arts at a very early age, under the tutelage of his grandfather. Although the Akamine family were direct descendents of a Samurai cast, Sensei Akamine was the only one of his brothers who trained in the martial arts. Thus, he practiced assiduously during his childhood and adolescence and became a very robust and healthy young man. After the teachings he received from his grandfather, he trained in the Shorin-Ryu style, with the following teachers: Chomo Hanashiro (1869-1945), Kentsu Yabu (1866-1937) and Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945).

      Further on, he began to learn the Goju-ryu style created by Master Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953) with Master Seiko Higa (1898-1966) assistant of Master Miyagi and with one of his main students, Kanki Izumigawa (1908-1969) who became his second master of Goju-ryu.

      At 16 years of age he received the grade of black belt 1st Dan; at 18 years of age he received his 2nd Dan and at 22 years of age he was honoured with the grade of 4th Dan by his master, Seiko Higa.

      Nevertheless, Sensei Akamine’s search did not stop there. With the same enthusiasm he began to observe other styles, such as: Uechi-ryu of Master Kanbun Uechi (1877-1948) where he incorporated the kata Kanshu, Kansha or Kanshiwa.