This week in history…(6 February – 12 February)

7 February

On 7 February 2004 Shotokan master, Tetsuhiko Asai, was made an Honorary President of the Russian National Far East University in Vladivostok. This was in recognition of his contribution to the development of education, science and culture. He was presented with a pocket watch.

9 February

On 9 February 1929 Shotokan master, Taiji Kase, was born in Chiba, Japan.

Kase had studied Judo before beginning Karate. He earned a 2nd Dan in Judo by the age of 15. He started his Karate training in 1944 under the guidance of Yoshitaka Funakoshi and Shigeru Egami. He was awarded his 3rd Dan in 1949 while attending Senshu University.

As a member of the JKA, in 1965 Kase led the Japanese delegation, which included Hirokazu Kanazawa, Keinosuke Enoeda and Hiroshi Shirai on a tour demonstrating Shotokan Karate to the rest of the world.

10 February

On 10 February 1966, Andy Sherry and Joseph Chialton became the first students in Great Britain to be graded to 1st Dan by the Japan Karate Association (JKA).

The grading took place at the Liverpool Karate Club which was located at 157 Everton Road. The grading was conducted by Keinosuke Enoeda.

On 10 February 1999 Shotokan master, Keigo Abe, founded the Japan Shotokan Karate Association (JSKA).

Abe resigned from the JKA’s Matsuno faction on 31 January 1999. This was following the Japanese High Court ruling in favour of the JKA’s Nakahara faction. There had been a ten-year legal battle between the Matuno and Nakahara factions over the legal use of the JKA name. Following the loss, the Matsuno faction split into several groups led by Abe, Tetsuhiko Asai, and Mikio Yahara.

On 10 February 2006 Shotokan legend, Tetsuhiko Asai, underwent liver surgery.

11 February

On 11 February 1966 Jack Green, instructor of the British Karate Federation’s Blackpool dojo was graded to 1st Dan under Keinosuke Enoeda. He was the third man in Great Britain to be awarded his 1st Dan, after Andy Sherry and Joseph Chialton had been graded the previous day in Liverpool.