This week in history…(10 July – 16 July)

10 July

On 10 July 1963, Motokuni Sugiura (a future Chief Instructor of the JKA) resigned as a director of the JKA. In April of the following year, he became a full-time Physical Education Karate Instructor at Asia University.

Between 10-14 July 2019, Yasunori Ogura was a guest instructor with Koji Chubachi at the JKA Summer Camp held in Connecticut. This was the 50th Annual SKDI (Shotokan Karate-Do International) Summer Seminar. It was also a memorial camp held in honour of Masataka Mori. Mori had established the SKDI which was affiliated with the JKA.

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. He was aged 83. At the time of his death, the WIKF (Wado International Karate-Do Federation) had over 60 countries in the Federation.

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 1950, Daigo Oishi was born in Shizuoka, Japan.

A lifelong karateka, Daigo Oishi was known for his footwork and his powerfully destructive kicks. Mas Oyama called his kick “Muramasa” after a famous Japanese blade.

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.

On 15 July 1973, Matt Price was born in the Yorkshire town of Harrogate.

As a competitor, Price was known for his very strong kumite. He is a 9-time KUGB National Champion; a KUGB Grand Champion; a 16-time Grand Slam kumite champion; and voted European Competitor of the Year twice. He has made the successful transition from being a competitor to being a world-renowned coach.

On 15 July 2010 Masataka Mori’s book, “Fundamentals of Karate-Do (English and Japanese Edition)” was published. The book was intended as a guide to help with a new student’s first weeks of training.

Known as “hawk eyes” because of his intense stare, Mori was a well-respected JKA instructor who was a very traditional master, teaching in a changing Karate world.

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.

Between 16 to 18 July 2021, Tomio Imamura was a guest instructor alongside Mai Shiina at the Virtual Summer Seminar 2021 for the Master Masataka Mori Memorial Camp. During the three-day seminar, he taught the advanced Shotokan kata Gojushiho Sho, Kanku Sho, Chinte, Nujishiho, Sochin, and Meikyo.