Teruyuki Okazaki
Encyclopedia
Teruyuki Okazaki a tenth degree black belt
in Shotokan Karate, is the founder, chairman and chief instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation
(ISKF). Along with Gichin Funakoshi
and Masatoshi Nakayama, Okazaki helped found the Japan Karate Association
's instructor training program.
Japan
. As a young man, he grew up studying judo
, kendo
, and aikido
. In 1948, at the age of sixteen, he entered Takushoku University
. It was here that Okazaki began his karate
training. Teruyuki Okazaki studied primarily under Gichin Funakoshi
(Shotokan's founder) as well as Masatoshi Nakayama. In 1953, Okazaki graduated and was immediately appointed coach of the Takushoku team. Later that year, it was decided that Okazaki would be trained as a "test case" for the still formulating JKA
Instructor Trainee Program. In 1955, he was appointed head of the program, which produced some of modern Shotokan's most integral leaders. Takayuki Mikami
, Eiji Takaura, and Hirokazu Kanazawa were among the first graduates from this program.
in 1961, originally planning to stay only six months, but has since opened a dojo
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
and settled there permanently. In 1977, Okazaki founded the International Shotokan Karate Federation
.
and formed an external independent body. This motion was supported by 25 other countries which continued their relationship with the ISKF and discontinued relations with the JKA.
This decision came following Okazaki's concern that the JKA had not been conducting itself in the manner appropriate to the teachings of Master Gichin Funakoshi
.
At the following Canadian National ISKF Championships in Toronto, Canada in October 2007, the ISKF technical committee announced Okazaki's promotion to 10th dan, the highest ranking karate master in the ISKF, and among only a couple others internationally at the time. Yutaka Yaguchi
was also promoted to the rank of 9th dan and is now Vice Chairman and Vice Chief Instructor of the ISKF and Chairman of the Technical Committee of the ISKF.
since 1970 and is an instructor at the University of Pennsylvania
, Drexel University
, West Chester University, and Thomas Jefferson University
.
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...
in Shotokan Karate, is the founder, chairman and chief instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation
International Shotokan Karate Federation
The International Shotokan Karate Federation is the largest shotokan karate organization in North and South America. In 1977, in an effort to spread the study of shotokan karate throughout the world, high-ranking members from the Japan Karate Association founded the ISKF. In 2007, the ISKF split...
(ISKF). Along with Gichin Funakoshi
Gichin Funakoshi
was the creator of Shotokan karate, perhaps the most widely known style of karate, and is attributed as being the 'father of modern karate.' Following the teachings of Anko Itosu, he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921...
and Masatoshi Nakayama, Okazaki helped found the Japan Karate Association
Japan Karate Association
Japan Karate Association is one of the most influential Shotokan karate organizations in the world...
's instructor training program.
Early years
Okazaki was born in Fukuoka PrefectureFukuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Fukuoka.- History :Fukuoka Prefecture includes the former provinces of Chikugo, Chikuzen, and Buzen....
Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. As a young man, he grew up studying 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...
, kendo
Kendo
, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
, and 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...
. In 1948, at the age of sixteen, he entered Takushoku University
Takushoku University
Takushoku University is a private university in Japan. It was founded in 1900 by Prince Taro Katsura . The university is located in Tokyo and has two campuses: the main campus in the Bunkyō district, and a satellite campus in the Hachiōji district...
. It was here that Okazaki began his karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
training. Teruyuki Okazaki studied primarily under Gichin Funakoshi
Gichin Funakoshi
was the creator of Shotokan karate, perhaps the most widely known style of karate, and is attributed as being the 'father of modern karate.' Following the teachings of Anko Itosu, he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921...
(Shotokan's founder) as well as Masatoshi Nakayama. In 1953, Okazaki graduated and was immediately appointed coach of the Takushoku team. Later that year, it was decided that Okazaki would be trained as a "test case" for the still formulating JKA
Japan Karate Association
Japan Karate Association is one of the most influential Shotokan karate organizations in the world...
Instructor Trainee Program. In 1955, he was appointed head of the program, which produced some of modern Shotokan's most integral leaders. Takayuki Mikami
Takayuki Mikami
is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate based in the United States of America. He holds the rank of 9th dan black belt in the art. In 1958, Mikami tied for first place in the All Japan Karate Championships. The following year, he became the All Japan champion in kumite as well as kata . In 1961,...
, Eiji Takaura, and Hirokazu Kanazawa were among the first graduates from this program.
Coming to North America
As part of an effort by Nakayama to spread the practice of Shotokan karate internationally, Okazaki came to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1961, originally planning to stay only six months, but has since opened a 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...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
and settled there permanently. In 1977, Okazaki founded the International Shotokan Karate Federation
International Shotokan Karate Federation
The International Shotokan Karate Federation is the largest shotokan karate organization in North and South America. In 1977, in an effort to spread the study of shotokan karate throughout the world, high-ranking members from the Japan Karate Association founded the ISKF. In 2007, the ISKF split...
.
ISKF Independence
In April 2007 Okazaki proposed, as chief instructor of the ISKF, termination of the ISKF's relationship with the JKAJapan Karate Association
Japan Karate Association is one of the most influential Shotokan karate organizations in the world...
and formed an external independent body. This motion was supported by 25 other countries which continued their relationship with the ISKF and discontinued relations with the JKA.
This decision came following Okazaki's concern that the JKA had not been conducting itself in the manner appropriate to the teachings of Master Gichin Funakoshi
Gichin Funakoshi
was the creator of Shotokan karate, perhaps the most widely known style of karate, and is attributed as being the 'father of modern karate.' Following the teachings of Anko Itosu, he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921...
.
At the following Canadian National ISKF Championships in Toronto, Canada in October 2007, the ISKF technical committee announced Okazaki's promotion to 10th dan, the highest ranking karate master in the ISKF, and among only a couple others internationally at the time. Yutaka Yaguchi
Yutaka Yaguchi
Yutaka Yaguchi is the Chief Instructor and Chairman of the International Shotokan Karate Federation Mountain States Region. He was born in Hiroshima, Japan, in 1932 and began karate training in 1952. He later tested under masters Gichin Funakoshi for his 1st dan black belt and Masatoshi Nakayama...
was also promoted to the rank of 9th dan and is now Vice Chairman and Vice Chief Instructor of the ISKF and Chairman of the Technical Committee of the ISKF.
Professional life
Although Okazaki has spent most of his adult life promoting Shotokan throughout North America, he has also held a faculty position at Philadelphia’s Temple UniversityTemple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
since 1970 and is an instructor at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, Drexel University
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
, West Chester University, and Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University is a private health sciences university in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. The university consists of six constituent colleges and schools, Jefferson Medical College, Jefferson College of Graduate Studies, Jefferson School of Health...
.
Published works
- Teruyuki Okazaki and Milorad V. Stricevic. (April 1984). "The Textbook of Modern Karate", Kodansha Amer Inc. ISBN 0870114611, ISBN 9780870114618
- Teruyuki Okazaki. (2006). "Perfection of Character: Guiding Principles For The Martial Arts & Everyday Life", GMW Publishing, ISBN 0978576322, ISBN 978-0978576325 http://www.nijukun.com