Awards & honors.
Hanshi Kaufman has been extensively honored and recognized for his contributions to the martial arts since 1958. Below is a partial listing of awards and honors since 1991, when he first began keeping records.
2020s 6 honors
- 2026Spiritual Son of Miyamoto MusashiWorld Karate Union Hall of Fame
- 2026Greatest of All TimeAction Martial Arts 25th Anniversary
- 2025Grandmaster of the Year AwardWorld Head of Family/Sokeship Council
- 2022International Grandmaster of the Year AwardUSA Martial Arts Hall of Fame
- 2022Lifetime Achievement AwardUSA Martial Arts Hall of Fame
- 2022Induction as honored memberPeaceful Warrior Black Belt Club
2010s 19 honors
- 2016Canadian World Wide Winners Hall of Fame
- 2015Induction into Black Dragon Fighting Society and International Fighting Arts Assn.
- 2015Grandmaster 10th DanInduction into United States Grandmaster Federation
- 2015Distinguished Grandmaster of the YearWorld Head of Family/Sokeship Council
- 2014Legion of HonorShogun Grandmaster Award
- 2014Acknowledged Author Book of Five RingsKonsei-Kan Budo Kai
- 2014Diploma de HonorTurkish Martial Arts Assn
- 2014Germany - Hebi Ryu Budo RecognitionTodejutsu Assn
- 2014Most Impactful Intl Martial Artist Writer of Our TimeMasters of Martial Arts
- 2013Hebi Ryu Budo RecognitionOdori Kumo Combat Bujutsu
- 2013Revered Founding Father of American Martial ArtsChinese Kung Fu Karate Assn
- 2012Award of RecognitionKnights of the Way, Hanshi Leon Wright
- 2011Platinum Lifetime AchievementWorld Karate Union
- 2011Soke and Hanshi RecognitionWorld Soke Seishinryokuy Kai
- 2011Hanshi AcknowledgmentIntl. Okinawa Karate Kobudo, Greece
- 2011Hanshi RecognitionAsian Grandmaster Assn, Nepal
- 2011Budo Living LegendWorld Intl. Combat Society
- 2010Grandmaster RecognitionWorld Agni Federation, Ukraine
- 2010Baysa, 10th DanIntl. Organization of Russian Kempo, Moscow
2000s 19 honors
- 2009Hanshi AcknowledgmentZenkoku Yudansha Sekai
- 2006Distinguished GrandmasterNorth American Federation of Martial Artists
- 2005Sokeship CouncilInternational Chanbara Assn
- 2005Distinguished Grandmaster and EducatorIntl. Assn. of Martial Artists
- 2005Good Will AmbassadorAction Martial Arts Magazine
- 2005Great All Time WriterAaron Bank’s World Professional Martial Arts Org.
- 2004Honorable RecognitionIntl. Org. of Russian Kempo
- 2004Hanshi AcknowledgementIntl. San Ryu Do Federation
- 2004Board of DirectorsNihon To Jutsu Karate Kai
- 2004Honorable RecognitionWorld Agni Kempo Org. Ukraine
- 2004Recognition of Hebi-Ryu BudoWorld Martial Arts Alliance
- 2004Martial Arts Writer’s Award and Seminar LeaderWHFSC
- 2004World Martial Arts Alliance - Exemplary Life ContributionWUMA
- 2004Lifetime AchievementLenchus Legend Society of Grandmasters
- 2003Hebi-Ryu Karate BudoWorld Head of Family Sokeship Council
- 2003Board of DirectorsIntl. Assn. Martial Artists
- 2002Action Martial Arts Magazine Award for Lifetime Achievement
- 2002IAMA Platinum Award for 50 Years in the Martial Arts
- 2000NYC Boys Club Award for Service to New York City Children
1990s 8 honors
- 1999Legend Martial Arts Medal of Honor for Life Achievement
- 1995Board of DirectorsGrey Belt Society of Martial Arts Elders
- 1993World Black Belt Hall of Fame
- 1993Board of DirectorsNorth American Black Belt Federation
- 1992Hanshi recognitionLegend Society of Black Belts
- 1991Hanshi certificationOkinawan Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu Assn
- 1991Hanshi certificationUnited States Karate Assn
- 1991Hanshi certificationNorth American Black Belt Federation