Shotokan Karate of America, founded in 1955 by karate master Tsutomu Ohshima, is a non-profit organization teaching traditional karate-do in the United States. With hundreds of black belts and several thousand other members, SKA includes some 200 dojos throughout the country. It is also affiliated with hundreds of dojos in Canada and Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Africa. Mr. Ohshima, the chief instructor or "shihan" of SKA, was a direct student of Master Gichin Funakoshi, considered the father of modern karate, and has led the effort to assure that the 500-year-old tradition of Shotokan Karate continues in the United States and throughout the world.
Who is Tsutomu Ohshima?
Tsutomu Ohshima, one of the foremost martial artists in the world, founded Shotokan Karate of America (SKA) in 1955 and continues to lead it as shihan, or chief instructor. S.K.A.'s membership includes hundreds of dojos across the United States. Mr. Ohshima is also shihan of Shotokan organizations in France, Canada, Belgium, Gabon, Israel, Morocco, Spain, and Switzerland.
Didier Kuchler, president of Spain Shotokan, describes Mr. Ohshima as "one of the last of the karate masters who have emerged since World War II. He is a pioneer who has brought the philosophy and teaching of the 'empty hand' to the Western world."
Born in Japan in 1930, Mr. Ohshima studied sumo, kendo (Japanese sword fighting), and judo from the age of 5. In 1948, when he entered Waseda University in Tokyo, he became a direct student of Gichin Funakoshi, the Okinawan karate master who first brought karate to mainland Japan and who is widely considered the father of modern karate-do.
Under Master Funakoshi, Mr. Ohshima became captain of the Waseda University karate team, launched sport karate at the school, and in 1952 was granted what was then the highest rank in karate: sandan. Also that year, Mr. Ohshima innovated the judging system still used in modern-day karate tournaments.
In 1955, Mr. Ohshima arrived in Southern California to attend school. He originally did not intend to teach karate, but was asked to do so by some Japanese-Americans after they discovered who he was. Although he spoke no English at the time and had few resources, he soon founded the Southern California Karate Association, which later became Shotokan Karate of America. 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 addition to initiating an annual karate tournament during Nisei Week in Los Angeles, Mr. Ohshima was the first karate instructor in the US to allow women to compete directly against men in open tournament divisions. This tradition continues to this day.
Mr. Ohshima has always stressed close adherence to Master Funakoshi's teachings. In the 1970s, he received permission from Master Funakoshi's family to translate the classic text Karate do-Kyohan, into English—a high honor and privilege. In this text, Mr. Ohshima himself demonstrates each move of the 18 katas taught by Master Funakoshi.
Extensive honors have been awarded to Mr. Ohshima throughout his career. He was named Black Belt Magazine's Instructor of the Year in 1968. In 1979 he was given Black Belt Magazine's first Publisher's Award for his "tireless work in the martial arts over the years" and the role he has played in the development of karate in the United States and the world over. The Mayor and City Council of Los Angeles honored him in 1976 with a 20-year community-service award and in 1995 with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2000, as a tribute to Mr. Ohshima and to Shotokan Karate, his students completed construction of the long-planned Shotokan Ohshima Dojo and residence in Santa Barbara, CA. Built after 20 years of fundraising by SKA members, foreign affiliates and loyal supporters, the dojo is a place where Mr. Ohshima continues to pursue his training and his followers come regularly to visit and practice with him.
"From the beginning, Mr. Ohshima has taught us to rigorously follow the path broken by our seniors," says Jim Sagawa, an American fifth-degree black belt who chaired the Grand Opening of the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo in 2000. " He teaches by example the importance of thoroughly and humbly doing one's homework and striving to make advancements by rediscovering the insights of the ancients. Beyond his genius as warrior and teacher, history will remember his commitment and love for his students."