Biography Martial

Yakkimaru Genrô

Sylvain-Kûban Guintard has practised martial arts since 1975, and 12 of those while living in Japan as a permanent resident (1989 to 2001). He began when he was young, studying the kung-fu of Long-chuan, Tang-lang, Pagua, with asian masters Hoang-Nam, Willy Pham Loï, & Yuen Man Chen. At 20 years old, he became the student of Michel Coquet, a teacher of the Japanese sword from the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu and studied with him for 2 years.

Sylvain-Kûban' mentor: Michel Coquet during g=his retreat inside Arunachala cave in India

He began to go to Japan to study Taijutsu under the guidance of Masaaki Hatsumi. Sylvain was the Bujinkan taijutsu/ninjutsu pionner in France. He helped a lot the diffusion & creation of Bujinkan organisation in Italy, Deutchland, Portugal & many others european countries...

In 1989, with the rank of Hachi Dan (8th Degree Black Belt),  realising that his knowledge about japanese culture was not enough, he took his independence from Hatsumi’s organisation and left the Bujinkan International Dojo.

He went to live in Japan and stayed for 12 years for studing honestly true japanese tradition way of life.

Chubu Tv morning News 1992

In Japan, he studied the art of the short chain under Master Yumio Nawa : Masaki Ryu Manriki-Gusari Jutsu. With other Japanese budo masters, Sylvain (who became a yamabushi monk at Kyoto Shogoin temple) studied the Kempô of the Namban Satto school until attaining the grade of Go Dan (5th Degree Black Belt Godan Gokui menkyo kaiden). He also studied the sword of the Yagyu Shinkagé under the guidance of Soke Yagyu  Toshimichi and many other old and modern Japanese budo schools. Kûban Guintard, with his extensive contacts in Japan, works writing many reports for the French budo magazine: Karate-bushido revue.

As of today Sylvain (Kuban) holds the following ranks :

• Hachi Dan (8th Black Belt) : "Ninpo" Budo-Taijutsu
• Go Dan (5th Black Belt) Gokui menkyo kaiden  Namban Satto Ryu Kempô
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• Certified Teacher Level : Manriki-Gusarijutsu (weight & chain), Shuriken (throwing blade), Kenjutsu (Japanese Sword) and many other types of Japanese Budo.
• Chief-Director for Europe of Byakuren Karate-Kempo under Founder / Master Masayasu Sugihara since May 2003.
• 4th dan karate in 1990 by the ministry of sport of France, French Federation of Karate and Disciplines Affiliated (FFKDA)

Kuban wants to promote budo as a part of a complete enlightenment system : “Bunppu-ittai”, Budo and Arts are one body!

During his 12 years of training in Japan, Sylvain Guintard received from his budo-masters, the budo-name of “Hyakkimaru Genrô” (Fire Wolf in English). The transcription of these 2 words are: Genrô (Magic Wolf) and Hyakkimaru (the one who was made by a hundred demons) He respects very much the ultimate fighting of the free-fighters of Pancrase, Shooto and mixed martial arts styles. In 2001, Kuban had a very serious brain injury & now little by little he  has rebuilted  himself while writing books on Japanese martial arts…

2008, PARIS-Bercy Hall, Martial arts festival, old trational japanese martial arts tradition in relation with feudal ninjutsu practicing..

Sylvain with Karasu-tengu Nho mask & Ofuri white hair style doing Kenjutsu Kagura training

Traditional  Japanese Martial arts traditions of Shuriken-jutsu