Master Hidetaka Nishiyama
From the 36th AAKF National Tournament program (1997)
Master Hidetaka Nishiyama is considered to be one of the great masters and pioneers of Japanese Traditional Karate.
He began his study in 1943 at the age of fifteen, with Master Gichin Funakoshi, the man who introduced Okinawan karate
to Japan. At that time, karate was not yet popular. Other martial arts, such as judo and kendo were taught as compulsory
classes in Japanese middle schools, similar to American phys-ed classes. After a difficult search he found Master Funakoshi
and his karate dojo in Tokyo. He continued his study from Funakoshi after he went to college.
Nishiyama Sensei and Toru Shimoji Sensei demonstrate during 1998 Masters Seminar in Atlanta
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* Please note, photograph is courtesy of Nishiyama Sensei and not to be reproduced with out his written permission *
In the late 40's the American Strategic Air Command (SAC) special forces began combat training in judo,
aikido and karate. In a recent interview, Master Nishiyama related some of the events of that time period.
Nishiyama Sensei explains hip action during 1998 Masters Seminar in Atlanta
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* Please note, photograph is courtesy of Nishiyama Sensei and not to be reproduced with out his written permission *
"We were invited to the American bases to instruct... I was the youngest. Every time we went to the bases we were expected
to give demonstrations. These were very tough, I had to break many boards so pretty soon my hands and forearms were in a bad state.
This happened 3 or 4 times a day. Eventually I couldn't move my arms." According to a student of Master Nishiyama,
"...many times the American instructors would present Mr. Nishiyama with very thick boards that had been soaked in water.
Mr. Nishiyama never failed to break these boards and never once asked his seniors to break them for him."
Although this was a difficult time for Master Nishiyama and his fellow karate enthusiasts, it helped him realize that
karate could be spread internationally. They were subsequently invited to the United States in 1953 to tour every SAC base
in the U.S. and Cuba.
Traditional Karate Federation of Poland Poster
Master Nishiyama later became one of the original founders of the Japan Karate Association,
home of the famous JKA Instructors School which has produced some of the most famous
karate masters in the world: Kanazawa, Enoeda, Shirai and Mikami. In 1960 he published
"Karate: The Art of Empty Hand Fighting". It is still considered the definitive text on
the subject and the best selling karate book in history. In 1961 he moved to the United States
and founded the All American Karate Federation (AAKF). In 1978, the AAKF completely restructured
its organization and changed the name to the American Amateur Karate Federation. The AAKF is a
public benefit, non-profit corporation and is the sole Traditional Amateur Karate governing body
in the U.S. It is also a member of the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF),
the worldwide governing body of Traditional Karate.
Nishiyama Sensei during 1998 Masters Seminar in Atlanta
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* Please note, photograph is courtesy of Nishiyama Sensei and not to be reproduced with out his written permission *
The AAKF controls national and regional competition and develops technical advancement
through special training seminars throughout the US. The AAKF hosted the very first karate competitions
between the U.S. and Japan in the historic 1964 Goodwill Tournament held in Los Angeles.
In 1968 the AAKF planned and hosted the World International Karate Tournament, the first world scale
competition which was held in Los Angeles and Mexico City in cooperation with the
Mexican Karate Federation.
The ITKF was founded in 1975 to help avoid confusion between the "new" karate styles and traditional karate,
and to maintain consistency in traditional karate training throughout the world. Currently, Master Nishiyama
and the ITKF are diligently working with the International Olympic Committee to have traditional karate recognized
as an official Olympic event.
Nishiyama Sensei and 1998 Atlanta Masters Seminar
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* Please note, photograph is courtesy of Nishiyama Sensei and not to be reproduced with out his written permission *
Master Nishiyama is now working on a new karate book aimed at karate instructors. He feels that in many
geographically larger countries like the U.S., there tends to be a lack of continuity among instructors
and their teaching methods because they cannot come together as frequently due to distance. He hopes this
book will advance the level of instruction and philosophy of karate in every country that teaches the art.
Master Nishiyama continues to travel throughout the world teaching karate. He is currently the Chairman
of the AAKF and President of the ITKF and is one of the highest ranking black belts in karate (9th Dan).
He resides in Los Angeles with his wife and their three daughters.
This article is reprinted with the kind permission of E/B Productions
follow this link to read other articles about Shotokan Karate
Our thanks to Martial Arts Photo-journalist Bill Bly
for arranging use of his photographs
follow this link to his "American Samurai" website
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