This week in history…(26 September – 2 October)

26 September

On 26 September 1969, The 1st All Japan Open Karate Tournament took place at the Metropolitan Gymnasium in Tokyo. A full-contact competition, the tournament was open to martial artists from other styles. Both Terutomo Yamazaki and Yoshiji Soeno made it to the final, where Yamazaki won the title.

27 September

On 27 September 1946, Shito-Ryu master, Yoshimi Inoue was born in the small coastal village of Tottori, Japan.

There were no martial arts available to Inoue as a youngster. In 1961 he bought a Karate book written by Teruo Hayashi from which he started to teach himself.

Inoue would go on to become one of the best instructors. His students included Mie Nakayama, Rika Usami, and Antonio Diaz.

On 27 September 1985, the 28th JKA All-Japan Championships took place at the Budokan in Tokyo. Masao Kagawa became Grand Champion, winning both the Individual Kata and Individual Kumite events. The previous year he had been runner-up in both events.

28 September

On 28 September 1897, Shinkin Gima was born in Shuri, Okinawa. On Okinawa, he studied under both Yasutsune Itosu and Kentsu Yabu before attending university in Tokyo.

In 1922 he met and began training with Gichin Funakoshi. He was Funakoshi’s first black belt and would eventually reach the rank of 10th Dan.

On 28 September 1985, the Shoto World Cup took place at the Budokan in Tokyo. Japanese competitors won every medal on offer. Minoru Kawada became Grand Champion after winning both the Individual Kata and Kumite titles.