Richard Rabago
Encyclopedia
Richard Rabago is an Japanese-American martial artist
, instructor, and expert in Okinawan kobudō
.
, Hawaii
. Growing up in the Hawaiian Islands
, Rabago had the opportunity to experience and study many different forms of martial arts
. Rabago's martial studies included: Judo
, Aikido
, Kempo
and Boxing
. After completing high school, Rabago moved to California
in 1961.
Karate under the instruction of Tsutomu Oshima and Hidetaka Nishiyama
. Rabago trained and studied the principles of Shotokan until 1968. In 1969, he began his study of Shorin-ryu (Kobayashi) Karate under George Terukina, and Hanshi Seikichi Iha
. He progressed through the years and was promoted to the rank Shichidan (7th degree Black Belt
) by Hanshi Tadashi Yamashita
.
, and for over 30 years has taught Kobayashi Shorin-ru and Okinawan Kobudo
in Torrance, California
. The sign outside the dojo
simply reads "SHORIN RYU". It is a traditional Okinawan dojo
where Karateka soon learn that THE BASICS ARE EVERYTHING. Respect is earned through demonstrated skill and dedication under Rabago's tutelage.
, Big Trouble in Little China
and The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
. Rabago has acted in television commercials for Adidas; and became well known for his role as Tao Chung in the VR Troopers
television series.
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
, instructor, and expert in Okinawan kobudō
Okinawan kobudo
Okinawan kobudō is a Japanese term that can be translated as "old martial way of Okinawa"...
.
Early life
Rabago was born in OahuOahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. Growing up in the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
, Rabago had the opportunity to experience and study many different forms of martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
. Rabago's martial studies included: Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
, Kempo
KEMPO
KEPCO may refer to:* Korea Electric Power Corporation, a South Korean power provider* Kansai Electric Power Company, a Japanese power provider...
and Boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. After completing high school, Rabago moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1961.
Martial Arts training
He began his training in ShotokanShotokan
is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Gigo Funakoshi . Gichin was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing karate through a series of public demonstrations, and by promoting the development of university karate clubs, including...
Karate under the instruction of Tsutomu Oshima and Hidetaka Nishiyama
Hidetaka Nishiyama
was a prominent Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He was an internationally recognized instructor, author, and administrator, and helped to establish the Japan Karate Association. Nishiyama was one of the last surviving students of Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan karate...
. Rabago trained and studied the principles of Shotokan until 1968. In 1969, he began his study of Shorin-ryu (Kobayashi) Karate under George Terukina, and Hanshi Seikichi Iha
Seikichi Iha
was born in Nishihara City, Okinawa. Iha is an Okinawan martial artist who trains in the Shorin-ryū Shidō-kan style of Karate. Iha is currently the Director of the North American Beikoku Shido-kan Karate-do Association and the highest ranking Okinawan master in the United States.-Martial arts...
. He progressed through the years and was promoted to the rank Shichidan (7th degree Black Belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
) by Hanshi Tadashi Yamashita
Tadashi Yamashita
is an Japanese American martial arts instructor and actor.- Biography :Yamashita was born in mainland Japan but raised in Okinawa, where he earned a black belt at the age of 16...
.
Dojo
Rabago opened his own dojoDojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
, and for over 30 years has taught Kobayashi Shorin-ru and Okinawan Kobudo
Okinawan kobudo
Okinawan kobudō is a Japanese term that can be translated as "old martial way of Okinawa"...
in Torrance, California
Torrance, California
Torrance is a city incorporated in 1921 and located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. Torrance has of shore-front beaches on the Pacific Ocean, quieter and less well-known by tourists than others on the Santa Monica Bay, such as those of neighboring...
. The sign outside the dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
simply reads "SHORIN RYU". It is a traditional Okinawan dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
where Karateka soon learn that THE BASICS ARE EVERYTHING. Respect is earned through demonstrated skill and dedication under Rabago's tutelage.
Film and television
Rabago also embarked on the dual careers of engineering design and acting while teaching Shorin-ryu. He has appeared in more than twenty-five film and television roles, while holding down a job as a digital chip designer. Some of Rabago's film involvements include: The Sand PebblesThe Sand Pebbles (film)
The Sand Pebbles is a 1966 American period war film directed by Robert Wise. It tells the story of an independent, rebellious U.S. Navy Machinist's Mate aboard the fictional gunboat USS San Pablo in 1920s China....
, Big Trouble in Little China
Big Trouble in Little China
Big Trouble in Little China is a 1986 American martial arts comedy film directed by John Carpenter. It stars Kurt Russell as truck driver Jack Burton, who helps his friend Wang Chi rescue Wang's green-eyed fiancee from bandits in San Francisco's Chinatown...
and The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan is a 1978 film release by Paramount Pictures and was the sequel to The Bad News Bears and the sequel to The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training. It stars Tony Curtis, Jackie Earle Haley, and Regis Philbin...
. Rabago has acted in television commercials for Adidas; and became well known for his role as Tao Chung in the VR Troopers
VR Troopers
VR Troopers was a syndicated live action show produced by Saban from 1994 to 1996...
television series.
Honors
For his public service and civic activism, Rabago has been honored with awards and acknowledgments, including:- World Martial Arts Masters Hall of Fame
- Golden Master's Instructors Award
- Masters Hall of Fame
- Commendation from the County of Los Angeles County Board of SupervisorsLos Angeles County Board of SupervisorsThe Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is the five-member nonpartisan governing board of Los Angeles County, California. Members of the board of supervisors are elected by district. They were as of December 2, 2008:*District 1: Gloria Molina...
- Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Lawndale, CaliforniaLawndale, CaliforniaLawndale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 32,769 at the 2010 census, up from 31,711 according to the 2000 census...
, USA - Serving as a Reserve Sheriff in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentLos Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentThe Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is a local county law enforcement agency that serves Los Angeles County, California. It is the fourth largest local policing agency in the United States, with the New York City Police Department being the first. The second largest is the Chicago Police...
teaching use of force techniques
Published works
- Rabago, Richard. (June 2003). Advanced Weaponry. Martial Arts Magazine, pp. 58–63
- Jeffrey, Doug. (February 2003). Don't Think Twice. Martial Arts Magazine, pp. 77–83
- Hestor, Todd. (March 2001). A Higher Standard. Martial Arts & Combat Sports Magazine, pp. 58–63
- Fraquas, Jose M. (2001). The Masters Speak. Unique Publications. ISBN 0-8656-195-3.
- Yamashita, Tadashi. (1987). Advanded Tonfa: Japanese Weapons of Self Defense. Black Belt Communications. ISBN 0-89750-117-9
- Yamashita, Tadashi. (1986). Dynamic Nunchuku. Black Belt Communications. ISBN 0-89750-105-5