Tatsuya Tsubakihara (Japanese: 椿原龍矢, Tsubakihara Tatsuya; born May 7, 1997) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently fighting…
Tatsuya Tsubakihara (Japanese: 椿原龍矢, Tsubakihara Tatsuya; born May 7, 1997) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently fighting in the featherweight division of K-1. He is the former K-1 featherweight champion, having held the title in 2021. Tsubakihara achieved standout success as an amateur, as he won the 2017 K-1 Koshien Tournament, Japan's most prestigious amateur kickboxing competition, after finishing as the runner-up in the two previous years. He was named the K-1 Rookie of the Year following early professional success and captured the K-1 Featherweight championship three years later. He was subsequently ranked as the second-best -58 kg kickboxer in the world, only behind Tenshin Nasukawa, by Combat Press. As of April 2023, he is ranked as the fifth best super flyweight (-58 kg) by Combat Press and the fifth best bantamweight (-58 kg) by Beyond Kickboxing. He's been ranked in the Combat Press divisional rankings since October 2020 and the Beyond Kickboxing divisional rankings since their inauguration.
Famous Japanese People: Karate Practitioner
Karate Practitioner: 74 people
Taio Asahisa (born 16 January 1998) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently fighting in the lightweight division of K-1…
Taio Asahisa (born 16 January 1998) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently fighting in the lightweight division of K-1, where he is the former lightweight champion. He is the current K-1 Super Lightweight champion. As of May 2021, he was the #1 ranked -64 kg kickboxer in the world according to Combat Press.
Miho Miyahara (宮原 美穂, Miyahara Miho, born 3 September 1996) is a Japanese karateka. She is a two-time gold medalist in…
Miho Miyahara (宮原 美穂, Miyahara Miho, born 3 September 1996) is a Japanese karateka. She is a two-time gold medalist in the women's kumite 50 kg event at the World Karate Championships (2018 and 2021). She also won the gold medal in this event at the 2018 Asian Karate Championships. Miyahara represented Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan in karate. She competed in the women's 55 kg event.
Ken Nishimura (Japanese: 西村拳, born 31 December 1995) is a Japanese karateka. He won the gold medal in the men's kumite…
Ken Nishimura (Japanese: 西村拳, born 31 December 1995) is a Japanese karateka. He won the gold medal in the men's kumite 75 kg event at the 2019 Asian Karate Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He represented Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics in karate. He competed in the men's 75 kg event where he did not advance to compete in the semifinals.
Mao Murakami (村上 真魚, Murakami Mao; born June 12, 1995 in Kiryu, Gunma), also known by her stage name Strong Machine 2…
Mao Murakami (村上 真魚, Murakami Mao; born June 12, 1995 in Kiryu, Gunma), also known by her stage name Strong Machine 2 (ストロングマシン2号, Sutorongu Mashin Ni-gō), is a Japanese J-pop dancer known for her robotic and machine-like dance-style. She currently lives with her family in a Buddhist temple. Her father, who is a priest at the temple, is also known by his stage name of Strong Machine 1. The two often team up to perform. She has appeared on multiple television programs in Japan, including fifteen appearances on the Super Chample dance variety show on CTV. Murakami was featured in the music video for the 2006 single I My Me Mine by the Japanese new wave band Polysics. Murakami appeared as a gas flame in a series of promotions for G-line Toyama, a natural gas and propane company in Japan.
Riki Matsuoka (Japanese: 松岡 力, Matsuoka Riki; born November 16, 1993) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in…
Riki Matsuoka (Japanese: 松岡 力, Matsuoka Riki; born November 16, 1993) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the welterweight division of K-1. He is the former Krush welterweight champion. As of April 2023, Combat Press ranks him as the tenth best super featherweight kickboxer in the world.
Kosei Yamada (山田洸誓; born 4 November 1992) is a retired Japanese kickboxer, who spent his entire professional career…
Kosei Yamada (山田洸誓; born 4 November 1992) is a retired Japanese kickboxer, who spent his entire professional career competing in the super lightweight division of RISE. He held the RISE Super Lightweight Championship from 2019 until 2022. Between July and December 2021, he was ranked as a top ten featherweight kickboxer by Combat Press. He re-entered the rankings at #10 in April 2022, and remained ranked until July 2022.
Sakura Kokumai (born October 2, 1992) is an American karateka. She won the gold medal in the women's individual kata…
Sakura Kokumai (born October 2, 1992) is an American karateka. She won the gold medal in the women's individual kata event at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru and the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. She represented the United States in the women's kata event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Hiroki Akimoto (秋元 皓貴, Akimoto Hiroki; born August 31, 1992) is a Japanese kickboxer. He competes in ONE Championship's…
Hiroki Akimoto (秋元 皓貴, Akimoto Hiroki; born August 31, 1992) is a Japanese kickboxer. He competes in ONE Championship's bantamweight and flyweight division, where he is the former ONE Kickboxing Bantamweight World Champion. As of June 2022, he is ranked as the second-best featherweight kickboxer in the world by Combat Press. He's been ranked in the top ten since December 2021.
Ayumi Uekusa (植草 歩, Uekusa Ayumi; born July 25, 1992) is a Japanese karateka. Competing in the +68 kg kumite division…
Ayumi Uekusa (植草 歩, Uekusa Ayumi; born July 25, 1992) is a Japanese karateka. Competing in the +68 kg kumite division she won gold medals at the World Karate Federation's 2016 World Championships, 2017 and 2022 Asian Championships, and at the 2018 Asian Games. She has also won several bronze and silver medals at the World Championships, Asian Championships, and Asian Games. She won a gold medal at the 2023 Karate 1-Premier League Cairo in January, and after taking gold in the 2023 Karate 1-Premier League Dublin that September, she was awarded the title of "Grand Winner" in her weight division for the year — her fourth such award after 2017, 2018, and 2020.
Naoto Sago (佐合尚人, Sagō Naoto, is a Japanese karateka. He won the silver medal in the men's kumite −60 kg event at the…
Naoto Sago (佐合尚人, Sagō Naoto, is a Japanese karateka. He won the silver medal in the men's kumite −60 kg event at the 2018 World Karate Championships held in Madrid, Spain. He represented Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics in karate. He competed in the men's 67 kg event where he did not advance to compete in the semifinals.
Arata Kinjo is a Japanese karateka. He is a two-time gold medalist at the World Karate Championships in the men's team…
Arata Kinjo is a Japanese karateka. He is a two-time gold medalist at the World Karate Championships in the men's team kata event, alongside Ryo Kiyuna and Takuya Uemura. He is also a six-time gold medalist in this event at the Asian Karate Championships.
Junna Villanueva Tsukii (月井 隼南, Tsukii Junna) (born September 30, 1991) is a Filipino-Japanese mixed martial artist and…
Junna Villanueva Tsukii (月井 隼南, Tsukii Junna) (born September 30, 1991) is a Filipino-Japanese mixed martial artist and former karateka. Representing the Philippines in karate, she won the gold medal in the women's kumite 50 kg event at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, United States.
Rina Takeda (武田 梨奈, Takeda Rina; born June 15, 1991) is a Japanese actress, singer and martial artist. She is best…
Rina Takeda (武田 梨奈, Takeda Rina; born June 15, 1991) is a Japanese actress, singer and martial artist. She is best known for playing Kei Tsuchiya in High Kick Girl! Takeda holds her black belt in Ryukyu Shōrin-ryū Karate.
Ryutaro Araga (荒賀 龍太郎, Araga Ryūtarō, born 16 October 1990) is a Japanese karateka. He won one of the bronze medals in…
Ryutaro Araga (荒賀 龍太郎, Araga Ryūtarō, born 16 October 1990) is a Japanese karateka. He won one of the bronze medals in the men's +75 kg event at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan. He won the gold medal in the kumite 84 kg event at the 2016 World Karate Championships in Linz, Austria. At the Asian Games, he won the gold medal in this event both in 2014 and in 2018. He is also a three-time gold medalist in his event at the Asian Karate Championships.
Ryo Kiyuna (喜友名諒, Kiyuna Ryō, born 12 July 1990) is an Okinawan karateka. He won the gold medal in the men's kata event…
Ryo Kiyuna (喜友名諒, Kiyuna Ryō, born 12 July 1990) is an Okinawan karateka. He won the gold medal in the men's kata event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. He is also a four-time gold medalist in the men's kata event at the World Karate Championships and a two-time gold medalist in the men's team kata event, alongside Arata Kinjo and Takuya Uemura. He has also won multiple gold medals in both the individual and team kata events at the Asian Karate Championships.
Hideyoshi Kagawa (born 14 August 1987) is a Japanese karateka. He won the silver medal in the men's kumite +84 kg event…
Hideyoshi Kagawa (born 14 August 1987) is a Japanese karateka. He won the silver medal in the men's kumite +84 kg event at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. In the final, he lost against Rashed Al-Mutairi of Kuwait. In 2017, he won the gold medal in the men's kumite +84 kg event at the World Games held in Wrocław, Poland. In the final, he defeated Sajjad Ganjzadeh of Iran. At the 2019 Asian Karate Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, he won the silver medal in the men's kumite +84 kg event. In the final, he lost against Tareg Hamedi of Saudi Arabia.
Rika Usami (宇佐美 里香, Usami Rika; born February 20, 1986) is a Japanese karateka. She won a Gold medal in individual kata…
Rika Usami (宇佐美 里香, Usami Rika; born February 20, 1986) is a Japanese karateka. She won a Gold medal in individual kata at the 2012 World Karate Championships after previously winning Bronze at the 2010 Championships. She also won Gold in the same category at the 2010 Asian Games. As of March 2021, Usami is coaching the karate team at Kokushikan University.
Kengo Shimizu (清水 賢吾, Shimizu Kengo; born on November 17, 1983), is a Japanese middleweight kickboxer competing in…
Kengo Shimizu (清水 賢吾, Shimizu Kengo; born on November 17, 1983), is a Japanese middleweight kickboxer competing in RISE. He is the former SHOOTBOXING and RISE Heavyweight champion.
Katsunori Kikuno (Japanese: 菊野 克紀, Kikuno Katsunori; born October 30, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He was…
Katsunori Kikuno (Japanese: 菊野 克紀, Kikuno Katsunori; born October 30, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He was the former DEEP Lightweight Champion.
Akihito Yagi (八木明人, Yagi Akihito, born April 5, 1977, in Naha, Okinawa) is a Karate master and teacher. Akihito…
Akihito Yagi (八木明人, Yagi Akihito, born April 5, 1977, in Naha, Okinawa) is a Karate master and teacher. Akihito mastered the Meibukan Goju-Ryu style, and since 2016 serves as the Chairman of the IMGKA and head of the Hombu Dojo
Tsuyoshi Nakasako (Japanese: 中迫剛; born January 29, 1974) is a Japanese retired heavyweight kickboxer who competed in…
Tsuyoshi Nakasako (Japanese: 中迫剛; born January 29, 1974) is a Japanese retired heavyweight kickboxer who competed in K-1. During his ten-year career from 1998 until 2008, he fought a variety of K-1 champions including Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts, Remy Bonjasky, Mark Hunt, and Andy Hug.
Katsumasa Kuroki (黒木克正, Kuroki Katsumasa; born January 9, 1973) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by…
Katsumasa Kuroki (黒木克正, Kuroki Katsumasa; born January 9, 1973) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Magnum Tokyo (マグナムTOKYO, Magunamu Tōkyō). Most closely associated with the now-defunct Toryumon Japan, he also competed for World Championship Wrestling, HUSTLE professional wrestling promotion and Dragon Gate as Tokyo Magnum and Magnum Tokyo. Magnum debuted in 1997 and become popular in Japan for both his high-flying junior-heavyweight style (a style common amongst students of Último Dragón) and his elaborate entrances, which included dancing through the crowd and dance sequences in the ring with his own dance troupe. His character was immensely popular with women, and was instrumental in building a large female fanbase in Toryumon's early years. Kuroki initially retired in 2007 after a persistent eye injury, but briefly returned two years later for the Hustle promotion before retiring again in late 2009. Currently, Kuroki works as a Daido-juku Kudo trainer in both Japan and Colombia.
Mari Kaneko (金子 真理, Kaneko Mari; born on (1972-06-24)June 24, 1972) is a Japanese female karateka and mixed martial…
Mari Kaneko (金子 真理, Kaneko Mari; born on (1972-06-24)June 24, 1972) is a Japanese female karateka and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. Kaneko has competed for MMA promotions Ax, Smackgirl, Deep and Jewels.
Hajime Kazumi (数見 肇, Kazumi Hajime) (born December 14, 1971) is a Japanese karateka. Born in Kanagawa prefecture…
Hajime Kazumi (数見 肇, Kazumi Hajime) (born December 14, 1971) is a Japanese karateka. Born in Kanagawa prefecture, Kazumi is a karate fighter who played an active part in the full-contact karate tournaments hosted by Kyokushinkaikan from the early 1990s to the early 2000s. He started Kyokushin karate at age of fifteen and at age twenty Kazumi defeated many top fighters to reach the finals of the 24th All Japan Championship in 1992. Since then Kazumi has never finished outside of the top two places in any tournament. His effective punching and kicking combinations helped him reach the finals of six All Japan Tournaments in a row, winning four of these to break Keiji Senpai's record. He also reached the finals of two World Open Tournaments where he lost to Francisco Filho on boards and Kenji Yamaki, training partner and fellow student of Tsuyoshi Hiroshige's Jonan Branch. Kazumi is recognized as one of Kyokushin Karate's most successful full-contact fighters. He is currently director of Hajime Kazumi Dojo, where he works as an instructor of karate fighting techniques. Kazumi currently holds 6th dan black belt.
Atsuko Wakai (若井 敦子, Wakai Atsuko; born September 12, 1971) is a Japanese practitioner of karate who has won many…
Atsuko Wakai (若井 敦子, Wakai Atsuko; born September 12, 1971) is a Japanese practitioner of karate who has won many international and Japanese national competitions in kata (patterns), including unprecedented numbers of consecutive titles in World Karate Federation (WKF) and All Japan Karatedo championships. She holds the rank of 6th dan black belt from the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF), training in Seigokan Goju-ryu karate.
Satoshi Takahashi (Takahashi Satoshi; born 9 February 1968) is a Japanese instructor of Shotokan karate. He is…
Satoshi Takahashi (Takahashi Satoshi; born 9 February 1968) is a Japanese instructor of Shotokan karate. He is currently an instructor of the Japan Karate Association.
Masaaki Satake (Japanese: 佐竹 雅昭, Satake Masaaki; born August 17, 1965) is a Japanese former heavyweight karateka…
Masaaki Satake (Japanese: 佐竹 雅昭, Satake Masaaki; born August 17, 1965) is a Japanese former heavyweight karateka, kickboxer, professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. He is one of the pioneering heavyweight fighters in K-1, having been a member of Kazuyoshi Ishii's Seidokaikan school.
Tatsuya Naka (中 達也, Naka Tatsuya) (born May 29, 1964 in Tokyo) is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He is a…
Tatsuya Naka (中 達也, Naka Tatsuya) (born May 29, 1964 in Tokyo) is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He is a full-time instructor of the Japan Karate Association. He holds a 7th dan from JKA. He has also starred in films such as Kuro Obi, High Kick Girl! and Karate Girl.
Shokei Matsui (松井 章奎, Matsui Shokei (Akiyoshi); born January 15, 1963), also known by his Korean name of Moon Jang-gyu…
Shokei Matsui (松井 章奎, Matsui Shokei (Akiyoshi); born January 15, 1963), also known by his Korean name of Moon Jang-gyu (Korean: 문장규; Hanja: 文章圭), is a South Korean martial artist in Japan. He is the master of Kyokushin karate and current Kancho (Director) of the International Karate Organization Kyokushin-kaikan, faction of the International Karate Organization (IKO) founded by Mas Oyama (1923–1994).
Kenji Midori (緑 健児, Midori Kenji; born April 18, 1962) is a Japanese martial artist and an instructor of the…
Kenji Midori (緑 健児, Midori Kenji; born April 18, 1962) is a Japanese martial artist and an instructor of the Full-contact Karate. He has an 8th Dan black belt in World Karate Organization Shinkyokushinkai.
Nobuaki Kakuda (角田信朗, Kakuda Nobuaki; born April 11, 1961) is a Japanese karateka, bodybuilder, and actor. He is also a…
Nobuaki Kakuda (角田信朗, Kakuda Nobuaki; born April 11, 1961) is a Japanese karateka, bodybuilder, and actor. He is also a former kickboxer and K-1 head referee.
Kazuhiko Ogasawara (小笠原和彦, Ogasawara Kazuhiko) is a Japanese professional wrestler and karateka best known for his…
Kazuhiko Ogasawara (小笠原和彦, Ogasawara Kazuhiko) is a Japanese professional wrestler and karateka best known for his tenure in the Japanese promotions Pro Wrestling Zero1 and Pro Wrestling Freedoms.
Masashi Aoyagi (Japanese: 青柳 政司, Hepburn: Aoyagi Masashi; 27 December 1956 – 6 July 2022) was a Japanese professional…
Masashi Aoyagi (Japanese: 青柳 政司, Hepburn: Aoyagi Masashi; 27 December 1956 – 6 July 2022) was a Japanese professional wrestler and karateka. He worked for numerous Japanese promotions such as Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Seiji Nishimura (西村誠司, Nishimura Seiji; born June 9, 1956), Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan) he is a Japanese karateka. He…
Seiji Nishimura (西村誠司, Nishimura Seiji; born June 9, 1956), Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan) he is a Japanese karateka. He has a 7th.Dan black belt in Wadō-ryū karate and is the national trainer of the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF).
Kiyoshi Arakaki (新垣 清, Arakaki Kiyoshi; October 17, 1954) is a karate practitioner, historian, novelist, and the…
Kiyoshi Arakaki (新垣 清, Arakaki Kiyoshi; October 17, 1954) is a karate practitioner, historian, novelist, and the founder of Okinawa Karate-Do Muso-Kai.
Jōkō Ninomiya (二宮 城光, Ninomiya Jōkō; born January 27, 1954) is the founder and director of Enshin Karate. He presides…
Jōkō Ninomiya (二宮 城光, Ninomiya Jōkō; born January 27, 1954) is the founder and director of Enshin Karate. He presides over the Enshin organization from the headquarters (honbu) in Denver, Colorado. His title as head of the Enshin organization is "Kanchō" (Grandmaster).
Masanobu Kikukawa (喜久川 政信) is a Japanese martial artist and chairman of the Shorin-ryu Shinkokai style of Okinawan…
Masanobu Kikukawa (喜久川 政信) is a Japanese martial artist and chairman of the Shorin-ryu Shinkokai style of Okinawan Karate. Kikukawa was a longtime student of Sokuichi Gibu-hanshi (or "Grand Master Sokuichi Gibu") and Seiki Toma-hanshi. After withdrawal from Gibu's association in 1985, Kikukawa co-founded the Shinkokai association along with colleague Tatsunori Azuma in 1985. In the early 1990s, Kikukawa emigrated to Victoria, British Columbia where he founded the Canadian division of the Shinkokai association, while Tatunori Azuma(東辰徳 1952~2012) continued representing the organization in Okinawa. Kikukawa opened an acupuncture clinic in Surrey; he works with a group of family practitioners in Victoria.
Kazuyoshi Ishii (石井 和義, Ishii Kazuyoshi; born June 10, 1953) is a Japanese karateka, promoter, and businessman.. He was…
Kazuyoshi Ishii (石井 和義, Ishii Kazuyoshi; born June 10, 1953) is a Japanese karateka, promoter, and businessman.. He was born in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture. Graduated from Ehime Prefectural Uwajima Higashi High School. He is known as the founder of Seidokaikan, a karate organization, and the founder of K-1, a martial arts promotion which became a pioneer in mixed martial arts events. K-1 Founder and advisor/Director of Seimichi Kaikan/ARISF.GAISF. (IOC-recognized international federation of sports organizations, international sports federation) Kickboxing WAKO JAPAN/FIKA/Originally based on the manga "Dorukara".
Toshihiro Mori (Mori Toshihiro) is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA's version of the world…
Toshihiro Mori (Mori Toshihiro) is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA's version of the world championships for kumite. He has also won the JKA All-Japan championships for kumite on two occasions. He is currently an instructor shihan of the Japan Karate Association.
Miyuki Miura (三浦 美幸, Miura Miyuki; born October 21, 1949) is a prominent Japanese master of karate, first practising…
Miyuki Miura (三浦 美幸, Miura Miyuki; born October 21, 1949) is a prominent Japanese master of karate, first practising Shotokan, then Kyokushin, then World Ōyama, and now operating independently.
Seiji Isobe (磯部清次, Isobe Seiji; born March 1, 1948) is a Japanese karate instructor residing in Brazil. He is a member…
Seiji Isobe (磯部清次, Isobe Seiji; born March 1, 1948) is a Japanese karate instructor residing in Brazil. He is a member of the IKO1 (Kyokushin Matsui Group)'s international committee and is the General Manager of the South American Regional Federation. He holds a rank of 9th Dan Black in Kyokushin Karate. Seiji Isobe, although unsuccessful in Full-Contact Karate competitions himself, became renowned as one of the best Kyokushin and/or Full-Contact Karate coaches. He is known for training various highly prestigious Brazilian Karateka, including Francisco Filho, Glaube Feitosa, Ewerton Teixeira, Andrews Nakahara and Ademir da Costa.
Yoshiji Soeno (添野 義二, Soeno Yoshiji; born September 29, 1947) is a Japanese karateka and a retired professional…
Yoshiji Soeno (添野 義二, Soeno Yoshiji; born September 29, 1947) is a Japanese karateka and a retired professional welterweight kickboxer. Soeno was a renowned practitioner of Kyokushin-kaikan style of karate, before branching out and founding his own style of Shidōkan Karate. Soeno is currently the director of The World Karate Association Shidokan, headquartered at Shizuoka-ken, Japan.
Terutomo Yamazaki (山崎 照朝, Yamazaki Terutomo; July 31, 1947 – June 22, 2025) was a Japanese karateka from the Kyokushin…
Terutomo Yamazaki (山崎 照朝, Yamazaki Terutomo; July 31, 1947 – June 22, 2025) was a Japanese karateka from the Kyokushin Kaikan (極真会館) and professional lightweight kickboxer. He was the founder of Gyakushin-Kai (逆真会館) and a Director of Karate in Japan. He presided over the International Budo Karate Organization Gyakushin-Kai from the headquarters of the organization (honbu) in Ōmiya-ku, Saitama, Japan. His title as head of the Gyakushin-Kai organization was "Kancho" (Grandmaster - 7th Dan). Yamazaki was the first champion of the All-Japan Full Contact Karate Open Championships in 1969, and made Kyokushin famous through his accomplishments. Because he fought and defeated Muay Thai boxers, he created a reputation for Kyokushin before the First All-Japan Open Full Contact Karate Championships was held. Yamazaki was highly skilled at and an authority on fighting and breaking. When he fought someone, it was usual that he knocked them out without receiving any injuries himself. He was nicknamed "The Genius Karate Fighter" or "The Dragon of Kyokushin", and when he was an active fighter, he was the most popular figure of the time. He showed off his mixed karate and Muai Thai style of fighting at both full contact karate open championships and kickboxing, and was noted internationally as a prominent fighter in karate's history, appearing in Black Belt Magazine in the United States.
Mikio Yahara (矢原美紀夫; born April 4, 1947, in Ehime Prefecture) is a Japanese karate expert of the Shotokan style. He…
Mikio Yahara (矢原美紀夫; born April 4, 1947, in Ehime Prefecture) is a Japanese karate expert of the Shotokan style. He holds the rank of 10th dan.
Katsuaki Satō (佐藤 勝昭, Satō Katsuaki; born April 4, 1946) is the founder and director of Satojuku Karate, also known as…
Katsuaki Satō (佐藤 勝昭, Satō Katsuaki; born April 4, 1946) is the founder and director of Satojuku Karate, also known as Odo (The Champion's Way) karate. The Satojuku honbu (headquarters) is located in Tachikawa, Japan. Satō was born on April 4, 1946, on Sakhalin Island, then part of occupied Japan following the end of World War II. The Soviet Union had invaded the island during the closing stages of the war, but around 300,000 Japanese remained on the island, including Satō's family. In 1947, his family moved to Nakoso, in Fukushima Prefecture. In high school Satō trained-in judo; after graduation, he continued to study it while working full-time as a journalist and studying part-time at Chuo University. However, at the age of 20, he injured his knee and shoulder and had to give up judo. Instead, he began training in Kyokushin karate in 1969. Satō studied karate from Terutomo Yamazaki for whom Satō has expressed much respect. Satō reached the rank of shodan (1st degree black belt) on October 1, 1971. He reached the rank of 3rd dan in karate on March 18, 1973 and he had also attained 3rd dan ranking in judo. He reached the rank of 4th dan in karate on May 1, 1974. Satō excelled in tournament competition. He won the 1971 (Third) and 1974 (Sixth) All-Japan Full Contact Karate Championships (AJFCKC), as well as the 1975 First All-World Full Contact Karate Championships (AWFCKC). He was part of a Kyokushin training group nicknamed "The Seven Samurai," which included Jōkō Ninomiya. Satō defeated Ninomiya on his way to taking the 1975 Kyokushin title. In 1976, he was listed at 5 ft 10+1⁄2 in (179.1 cm) in height and 183 pounds (83 kg) in weight. A later source specifies 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) and 90 kg (200 lb; 14 st). He then retired from full-time karate training and competition and devoted himself to assisting his family's business. In 1977, Satō started his own karate style, Satojuku, in Mitaka, Tokyo, as a single dojo (training hall). Satojuku has now grown to include dojo in many locations in Japan. Satojuku is known as a similar style to Kyokushin, but emphasizes precise knockdown techniques over techniques designed to injure or "knock-out" one's opponent. The organization sponsors an annual tournament, the All-Japan Point & K.O. Tournament, held at Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan, with full-contact, knockdown rules of competition. Describing his art in 1987, Satō wrote, "Odo means the way champions must behave. It is based on humane feelings and courtesy, on being honorable, on being devoid of selfishness or bias. It is the antithesis of any martial art that relies only on force to conquer an opponent."
Hideyuki Ashihara (芦原 英幸, Ashihara Hideyuki; December 5, 1944 – April 24, 1995) was a Japanese master of karate who…
Hideyuki Ashihara (芦原 英幸, Ashihara Hideyuki; December 5, 1944 – April 24, 1995) was a Japanese master of karate who founded Ashihara karate in 1980 with the emphasis on Sabaki. He is often attributed as one of the originators of the tai sabaki (whole body movement) method, although the concept was already very common in other martial arts, such as judo. He was known for his weapon skills including shuriken and tonfa.
Takemasa Okuyama (born 1944) is the head of the International Karate Association of Canada and has the title of Kancho.…
Takemasa Okuyama (born 1944) is the head of the International Karate Association of Canada and has the title of Kancho. Born in Hachijōjima, Japan, Okuyama began to train in Japan at the age of 7. In line with the family tradition, he practised sumo and judo. At the age of 13 he started to learn karate from Kinjo from Okinawa. In 1960, he started to study at the Takushoku University in Japan. He studied political science and foreign trade, regularly training karate masters such as Tabata, Hamanaka, Ozawa and Katsunori Tsuyama. In 1966, he arrived in the US to continue his studies and trained for three years under the instruction of Takayuki Kubota. In 1970, he moved to Canada, where he is influential person in the Gosoku-ryu and Shotokan karate environment. In the same year he placed third in kumite at 5th Annual All-Stars Tournament. He established IKA Canada Kubota Cup in 1971 In 1992, Takayuki Kubota awarded him with the Kancho title and 8 dan degree in karate. In 1997, he published a book called Ultimate Karate (ISBN 0-9683373-0-9) which demonstrates karate techniques for the serious student, showing intricate applications of stances and hand techniques beyond the Heian katas and Tekki Shodan. Okuyama received the Key to the City of Cali, Colombia from Mayor Ricardo Cobo, and special awards from the City of Be'er Sheva, Israel from Mayor Kakuv for peace work between Israel and Palestine. Okuyama has also trained law enforcement personnel around the world including: Colombian Military & Special Forces Police, Canadian Military Police, Moscow Police, Israeli Military, Ecuador Police. Apart from his karate activity, Okuyama is president of Hachi-O-Zan Ltd. and an artist who occupies himself with traditional painting and playing the Japanese flute.
Tadashi Nakamura (中村 忠, Nakamura Tadashi; born February 22, 1942) is the founder and Kaicho (chairman) of World Seidō…
Tadashi Nakamura (中村 忠, Nakamura Tadashi; born February 22, 1942) is the founder and Kaicho (chairman) of World Seidō Karate Organization headquartered in New York City.
Masahiko Tanaka (田中 昌彦, Tanaka Masahiko; born 24 February 1941) is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He won the…
Masahiko Tanaka (田中 昌彦, Tanaka Masahiko; born 24 February 1941) is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He won the first of his two IAKF world championship Kumite titles in 1975, was part of the Japan team to win the team Kumite title in the third IAKF world championship and was twice JKA All-Japan kumite champion. He became the national coach of Denmark in 1975 and in 1978 returned to Japan, where he currently manages the international affairs of the JKA.