On this day….(July 12)

On this day, 12 July 1956, Hiroo Mochizuki, the son of Yoseikan founder, Minoru Mochizuki arrived in France to conduct a number of Karate courses.

Born in 1936, Hiroo Mochizuki began his martial arts training in the eclectic Yoseikan system of his father, Minoru, who had studied under the three great Budo masters, Gichin Funakoshi, Morihei Ueshiba and Jigoro Kano. He incorporated aspects from each of these masters into his Yoseikan system.

Hiroo Mochizuki arrived in Marseille on 12 July 1956 and went onto Toulon, However, there had been a mix-up with his schedule. He was meant to have taught a course held at Coullioure between 15 – 30 July. Henri Plee stepped in to take the course, with Mochizuki arriving at Coullioure on the 30th and teaching for another 4 days.

On this day, 12 July 2011, Wado-ryu master, Tatsuo Suzuki died in London.

Suzuki was a direct student of Wado-ryu founder, Hironori Otsuka, having started Karate at the age of 14. He was instrumental for the spread of Wado-ryu across Europe.