This week in history (12 July – 18 July)

12 July

On 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 two great Budo masters, 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 12 July 2011, Wado-Ryu master, Tatsuo Suzuki died in London.

Suzuki was a direct student of Wado-Ryu founder, Hironori Ohtsuka, having started Karate at the age of 14. He was instrumental in the spread of Wado-Ryu across Europe. Suzuki arrived in the UK in January 1965 (he had previously visited during a world tour), settling in London. He was one of the earliest Japanese masters to arrive and teach in the UK. As a member of the All Britain Karate Association (ABKA), he and his assistants spread Wado-Ryu across the UK.

15 July

On 15 July 1954, Tomohiro Arashiro was born in Naga City, Okinawa. His father was a farmer. Growing up he was very much into sports like athletics and baseball.

An ambassador of the Okinawan Karate style of Ryuei-Ryu, Tomohiro Arashiro has helped build it from a family-style practised in Okinawa to a style practised internationally.

16 July

On 16 July 2012, Hamish Adam was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for his services to the Sport of Karate, as both a competitor and coach.

18 July

On 18 July 1959, Tetsuji Murakami made his first-ever visit to England to teach for the British Karate Federation (BKF). He also conducted a number of gradings at 12 Maybush Road, Hornchurch, Essex.

On 18 July 1963 Vernon Bell received a letter from his German counterpart, Jurgen Seydel, informing him that Tetsuji Murakami was not an official representative of the JKA in Europe. Murakami had made the claim that he was a member of the JKA and was their sole representative in Europe.