Mestre Kenji Shibata’s journey with Capoeira Angola is one of devotion, responsibility, and deep cultural respect. More than a practitioner, he is a guardian of tradition who has spent over twenty years cultivating Capoeira Angola in Japan with patience, integrity, and vision. Through his leadership within GCAP, he has helped transform Capoeira Angola from a distant cultural expression into a living, breathing presence rooted in Japanese soil.

His teaching reaches far beyond movement. For Mestre Kenji, Capoeira Angola is a way of life—an education of the body, mind, and spirit. Students under his guidance learn not only technique, rhythm, and strategy, but also humility, discipline, and collective awareness. He emphasizes listening as much as action, encouraging practitioners to understand Capoeira as dialogue, history, and resistance expressed through movement.

Mestre Kenji has played a central role in connecting Japan to the ancestral roots of Capoeira Angola. Through ongoing exchanges with Brazil, international workshops, and cultural events, he has helped preserve the art’s integrity while allowing it to grow naturally within a different cultural context. These efforts have strengthened bonds between communities and ensured that Capoeira Angola is practiced with both authenticity and respect.

As a mentor, he is known for his ability to see each student as an individual. His teaching adapts to different ages, backgrounds, and learning styles, creating an environment where everyone has space to grow. This inclusiveness has fostered a strong, supportive community—one that extends beyond training spaces into lifelong friendships and shared values.

Under his guidance, Capoeira Angola in Japan has matured into a vibrant and sustainable movement. Many practitioners have been inspired to deepen their studies, travel, and dedicate themselves fully to the art. Mestre Kenji’s influence can be felt not only in the rodas he leads, but in the confidence, awareness, and cultural pride carried by those who train with him.

His legacy is not measured simply by titles or years, but by the lives he has shaped and the bridges he has built—between generations, cultures, and continents. Through quiet persistence and unwavering commitment, Mestre Kenji Shibata continues to ensure that Capoeira Angola remains a powerful path of self-discovery, connection, and transformation for future generations.