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Tsutomu
Ohshima
is the founder and Shihan (Chief Instructor) of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA),
and is also recognized as chief instructor of many other international Shotokan
Organizations, including Canada Shotokan.
Mr. Ohshima was
born on August 6, 1930, and by the age of five had already entered the disciplined and
rigorous world of Japanese martial arts. Practicing daily, he pursued sumo wrestling from
the age of five until he was fifteen; kendo (Japanese sword fighting) from the ages of
eight to fifteen, and judo from the ages of nine to thirteen.
Mr. Ohshima's distinguished association
with Shotokan karate began at Waseda University, beginning in 1948. While he was there he
trained directly under the style's founder, Master Funakoshi, until 1953. His training was
also influenced by his leading seniors, who were, in order of seniority:
Seniors
Egami, Kamata-Watanabe, and Okuyama have each honored Mr.
Ohshima and Shotokan Karate of America by visiting the United States to observe and
instruct our members.
At the All-Japan Sandan Promotional in 1952 Master Funakoshi
personally awarded Mr. Ohshima his sandan (third degree black belt) rank, while
honoring him with the highest score of any participant. Also in 1952 he became the Captain
of the Waseda University Karate Club, working with Master Funakoshi. In 1957 Mr. Ohshima
also received his godan (fifth degree black belt) rank from Master Funakoshi, the
highest rank awarded by Funakoshi and still the highest rank achievable in SKA.
It was also during 1952 that Mr. Ohshima innovated the judging
system still used in modern day tournaments. However, for students wishing to participate,
he cautions that tournaments should not be viewed as an expression of true karate itself.
Mr. Ohshima left Japan in 1955 to continue his studies at the
University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where, in January 1956, he led his first
U.S. practice. The first university karate club in the United States was founded by Mr.
Ohshima, at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA, in 1957. In 1959 the
Southern California Karate Association (SCKA) was founded, and for the next ten years the
reputation and membership of the SCKA continued to grow. Many new dojos were started by
Mr. Ohshima's black belt instructors in California and across the nation. Thus the
organization was renamed Shotokan Karate of America in 1969.
* Courtesy of Shotokan Karate of America |
