Shotokan masters
Master Gichin Funakoshi November 1868 - April 26, 1957
Funakoshi Gichin was born on Nov 10, 1868 in Yamakawa, Shuri, Okinawa Prefecture. He was of samurai lineage, from a family which in former times had been vassals of Ryukyu Dynasty nobles.
By age 11 he had already made a name for himself in Ryukyu-style martial arts. Beginning his training under Master Azato Anko, it wasn’t long before he equaled his master in ability, and shared with him the distinction of being the “most accomplished” martial artist in the field. He also learned karate-jutsu (written with characters that mean “Chinese-hand martial art”) from Master Itosu Anko. Both his teachers were impressed by his nobility of character.
As over the years he pursued his training and continuously developed his remarkable skills, Master Funakoshi became chairman of the Okinawa Martial Arts Society, as well as an instructor at the Okinawa Teacher’s School. Then in 1922, when he was 54 years old, he introduced Okinawan karate-jutsu at the first Ministry of Education (now Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture)-sponsored Physical Education Exhibition. This introduction, the first ever public display of karate-jutsu in Japan, was a stunning success. The previously unknown martial artist Funakoshi Gichin rose to instant fame throughout the Japanese world of martial arts.
Immediately the founder of modern judo, Kano Jigoro, invited Master Funakoshi and his pupil Gima Shinkin to the Kodokan judo dojo to give a demonstration of kata. The highly-attended event filled the Kodokan dojo to capacity. It was so well-received that Master Funakoshi found himself pressed on all sides to stay in Tokyo.
Excited by the opportunity to further promote the martial art that he had done so much to introduce to Japan, Master Funakoshi subsequently began teaching it at Tokyo’s Meiseijuku, a dormitory for Okinawan students. In 1922, he published a book entitled “Ryukyu Kempo Karate.” It was the first formal exposition in Japan on the art of karate-jutsu. Not only were its contents fresh and novel, it was also beautifully written, and immediately created an unprecedented karate boom. As the popularity of karate-jutsu began to spread, Master Funakoshi produced the first ever “Dan Ranking Certification” in April, 1924.
Master Masatoshi Nakayama April 13, 1913 - April 15, 1987
Master Nakayama Masatoshi had martial arts in his blood. Born in April 1913 in Yamaguchi Prefecture, he was a descendant of the Sanada clan, in the Nagano region. His ancestors were highly-skilled instructors of kenjutsu (the art of swordsmanship).
Upon entering Takushoku University in 1932, Master Nakayama immediately joined the university’s karate club, studying under Master Funakoshi Gichin and one of the master’s sons, Funakoshi Yoshitaka. Deciding to devote his life to karate, he traveled to China after graduation for further study and training.
When he returned from China in May 1946, he got together with fellow Shotokan practitioners from his university days to revive the Shotokan karate tradition with Funakoshi Gichin as Supreme Master. Together, in 1949, they established the Japan Karate Association. In 1955 a headquarters dojo was built at Yotsuya in Tokyo. It spurred the building of JKA branch dojo all across Japan.
The efforts of the Japan Karate Association to embody and promote the spirit of karate-do were highly regarded by the Ministry of Education (now Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture). In 1957, the Ministry granted the JKA exclusive legal recognition in Japan as an official association of members for the promotion of the way of karate.
During that time and over the next several years, Master Nakayama made immeasurable contributions to the art. He developed, together with his fellow JKA instructors, a new, rational method of teaching that was tailored to the level and goals of each student: karate as a physical development tool, karate as a method of self-defense, karate for matches, etc. He also emphasized the necessity for each aspect of training to be physically and kinesthetically practical, and he scientifically analyzed how to make them so.
Moreover, to ensure that the true essence of karate-do was being passed on correctly, he and his disciples established a two-year specialist instructor training program, which is still the only specialist instruction system in the world of karate. And the training never ends; the JKA is, and always has been, the only karate organization whose full-time instructors continue to get together every day for joint practice. Through this program, JKA instructors constantly endeavor to refine and perfect their karate.
Master Teruyuki Okazaki, 10th Dan
Master Teruyuki Okazaki was born June 22, 1931, in Fukuoka, Japan. After studying aikido, judo, and kendo, he began karate training in 1947. Master Okazaki joined the Japan Karate Association (JKA), where he studied under both Master Gichin Funakoshi and Master Masatoshi Nakayama.
In 1953, Master Okazaki graduated from Takushoku University in Tokyo with a BA in Political Economics. In 1955, he helped Master Nakayama develop the JKA Instructor’s course. Later, as a pioneer instructor, he became the first coach of the course. He later taught at Boei University (considered Japan’s West Point), Takushoku University, and Tokyo Toritsu University. He also instructed the instructor trainees for the JKA Headquarters.
Master Okazaki was sent to the United States by JKA Chief Instructor Masatoshi Nakayama in 1961 to help share Shotokan karate with people throughout the world. He established a dojo in Philadelphia (now Headquarters for the International Shotokan Karate Federation) and formed the East Coast Shotokan Karate Association in 1963. In 1977, he founded the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF), which is now one of the largest karate organizations in the world. The ISKF, of which Master Okazaki remains Chief Instructor, has approximately fifty thousand members in over thirty countries.
Master Okazaki received the rank of 10th Dan in October of 2007. He has been a faculty member of Philadelphia’s Temple University since 1970, and is also an instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, West Chester University, and Thomas Jefferson University. In June of 2007, the ISKF became independent of the JKA/WF, allowing the ISKF to spread to more countries outside of the Pan-America region. Master Okazaki conducts seminars and clinics, provides training sessions, and administers ranking examinations all across the United States, as well as internationally. He is the author of two books, The Textbook of Modern Karate, and the Perfection of Character: Guiding Principles For The Martial Arts & Everyday Life.Master Okazaki was chosen as Black Belt magazine’s Man of the Year and belongs to their Hall of Fame.
Shotokan masters
Yutaka Yaguchi, 9th Dan MASTER
Born in 1932 in Hiroshima, Japan, Sensei Yaguchi began karate training in 1952. He studied under Masatoshi Nakayama, the late chief instructor of the JKA, Motokuni Sugiura, the present chief instructor of the JKA, and Teruyuki Okazaki, chief instructor of the ISKF, and received his shodan and nidan from Master Funakoshi himself. Among the first to graduate from the JKA Instructors Program, he trained with and competed against the likes of Hirokazu Kanazawa, Takayuki Mikami, Katsunori Tsuyama, Hiroshi Shoji, Keinosuke Enoeda, and Tetsuhiko Asai.
Master Yutaka Yaguchi is not only the chief instructor for the Mountain States region, including part of Canada, he is the technical director for the International Shotokan Karate Association. He is a 9th degree black belt who came from Japan to help start Shotokan Karate in the United States 35 years ago. Famous for his speed and power, he has developed more national champions than any other JKA instructor.
instructors and mentors
Shihan Hiroyoshi Okazaki, 9th Dan ISKF Chairman and Chief Instructor
Hiroyoshi Okazaki was born in Chiba, Japan on March 4, 1961. As a young child, he lived with his father, a civil engineer, who meant that he and his family resided in different locations on the main island of Honshu. By the time he entered high school, his family had settled permanently in Kawasaki City. Prior to graduating from Teikyo H
Hiroyoshi Okazaki was born in Chiba, Japan on March 4, 1961. As a young child, he lived with his father, a civil engineer, who meant that he and his family resided in different locations on the main island of Honshu. By the time he entered high school, his family had settled permanently in Kawasaki City. Prior to graduating from Teikyo High School in 1978, he began his martial arts training at the Japan Karate Association headquarters in Tokyo.
On August 25, 1979, Okazaki moved to the United States, settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and continued his training at ISKF Headquarters. While in Philadelphia he attended Temple University and in 1990 received his BFA degree from the Tyler School of Art. Throughout that time he continued to train, compete and teach at the ISKF Honbu Dojo under the tutelage of Shihan Teruyuki Okazaki. In 1995 he graduated from the ISKF Instructor Training Program becoming a Certified Instructor, Examiner and Judge.
In 2015 upon his retirement, Shihan Teruyuki Okazaki designated Hiroyoshi Okazaki to assume the position of Chairman and Vice-Chief Instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation. The International Board of Governors and Technical Committee unanimously approved this appointment. Upon his retirement, Shihan Yutaka Yaguchi appointed Okazaki as Chief Instructor of the ISKF. Both the ISKF Shihankai and Technical Committee members approved this appointment.
Okazaki currently holds the rank of 9th Dan. At this time, he continues as Chief Instructor at ISKF Headquarters in Philadelphia, is an Adjunct Professor in the KPAP program CPH at Temple University and instructs at his Okazaki Karate Academy club in Palmyra, New Jersey. Additionally, he travels extensively both nationally and internationally to conduct seminars and examinations.
Late Shihan Najib Amin, 8th Dan
Sensei Najib Amin began training in the early 1960s. He was a direct student of Master Teruyuki Okazaki and was in the very first JKA/ISKF instructor trainee class in 1975. He was a member of the ISKF Shihankai and earned the rank of 8th dan in 2009 from Master Teruyuki Okazaki. He founded SKCM in 1992.
Sensei was Mr. Guadalupe's mentor
Sensei Najib Amin began training in the early 1960s. He was a direct student of Master Teruyuki Okazaki and was in the very first JKA/ISKF instructor trainee class in 1975. He was a member of the ISKF Shihankai and earned the rank of 8th dan in 2009 from Master Teruyuki Okazaki. He founded SKCM in 1992.
Sensei was Mr. Guadalupe's mentor during his 10 years of service as the Regional Director of ISKF Puerto Rico.
Sensei dedicated his life to promoting character through the art of karate-do. Sensei had a positive impact on everyone he met; he was a true gentleman and an exemplary martial artist. He is greatly missed.
Master Hidetaka Nishiyama, 10th dan
Master Hidetaka Nishiyama, 10th dan
Born in Tokyo in 1928, Hidetaka Nishiyama began his karate training in 1943 under Gichin Funakoshi, founder of modern Shotokan karate. Two years later, while enrolled at Takushoku University, he became a member of the university’s karate team and, in 1949, its captain. He co-founded the All Japan Collegiate Karate Federation and was ele
Born in Tokyo in 1928, Hidetaka Nishiyama began his karate training in 1943 under Gichin Funakoshi, founder of modern Shotokan karate. Two years later, while enrolled at Takushoku University, he became a member of the university’s karate team and, in 1949, its captain. He co-founded the All Japan Collegiate Karate Federation and was elected its first chairman. In 1951, after graduating with a Master of Arts degree in Eco nomics, he co-founded the Japan Karate Association (JKA) and was elected to the JKA Board of Directors.
In 1952, he was selected as a member of the martial arts com bat instruction staff for the United States’ Strategic Air Com mand (SAC) Combat Training Program. In this program, SAC personnel received training in Judo, Aikido and Karate from top martial arts instructors including Gichin Funakoshi, Masatoshi Nakayama and Isao Obata.
In 1960, his book “Karate: The Art of Empty-Hand Fighting” was published and even today, is considered the definitive textbook on the subject. Now in its 80th printing, it is believed to be the best-selling karate textbook in history.
In 1961, Nishiyama came to the United States on the invitation of SAC karate students and JKA members residing in the country. That same year, Nishiyama organized the All-American Karate Federation (AAKF) as a nationally based amateur karate organization. In November 1961, Nishiyama organized, under the control of the AAKF, the first National Karate Championship in Los Angeles, California, where he also established his dojo. Since then, Nishiyama has been a major force in the propagation of the JKA-Shotokan style of karate in the United States and abroad.
In 1970, during a reorganization of the AAKF as the Traditional Karate governing body, the JKA Karate group separated and became the JKA-US part of the AAKF. Nishiyama continued as Chairman of the JKA-US and also as Chairman of the AAKF.
Then, in 1985, the IAKF changed its name to the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) because the word “karate” had become a generic term applied to a variety of kicking/punching sports. The ITKF, under Nishiyama’s direction, wanted to make it clear it was the governing body of Traditional Karate. This was confirmed in 1987 when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that ITKF was the governing body for Traditional Karate.
Mr. Guadalupe tested with Nishiyama Sensei for Shodan in 1993, Nidan in 1997 and Sandan in 2000 under ITKF and ISKA.