The history of Kanamaru-Ha Sho Shoh-Ryu Karate-Do starts with Zenzaburoh Kanamaru (1874 - 1936).  He intensely studied martial arts under the Nambu Clan's (Iwate-ken) Sho Sho Ryu Yawara.  Today this form is considered to be one of the oldest living martial arts academy in Japan.  He taught and passed on his knowledge and experience to his first born son, Shichiroh Kanamaru (1911 - 1993).  Being the first born he had the responsibility to succeed the style. To which he later accomplished after the passing of his father in 1936.  Aside from his studies of Jujutsu from his father, Shichiroh studied Karate-Do from Master Kanken Toyama (1888-1966) and Iwasa Kahoya.  He also studied and had an appreciation for Kendo and Iaido.

Shichiroh taught Kanamaru-Ha Sho Shoh-Ryu Karate-Do to his son, Akio Kanamaru (1942 - ).  Akio studied under his father until he departed from Japan to Canada in 1967.  Soon after Akio's arrival to Canada (Ashcroft, BC), he set up a makeshift dojo in a small room of the apartment complex he resided in.  This is where Kanamaru-Ha Sho Shoh-Ryu Karate-Do started in Canada.  As he taught a handful of students from the small dojo, word spread soon of a 'Martial Arts Master' in town.  With enough interest and students he was able to move the dojo to the gymnasium of the local elementary school. 

This lead to the official opening of the Honbu Dojo in Ashcroft, BC and Akio has been teaching since.  He followed this by opening up dojos in the neighboring towns of Clinton, Lillooet, and Lytton.  A dojo in Aldergrove was also open for a short period of time. 

In 1982 he succeeded Kanamaru-Ha Sho Shoh-Ryu Karate-Do when his father retired that year.  He become Soke Akio Kanamaru of Kanamaru-Ha Sho Shoh-Ryu Karate-Do on November 4th of 1982.

Soke Akio Kanamaru's two children Yoriko Susanj and Hideaki Kanamaru aid in teaching Kanamaru-Ha Sho Shoh-Ryu Karate-Do at their own dojos in Savona and Vancouver respectively.