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. Mr.
Ohshima's branch of the Shotokan world has become known as Shotokan
Ohshima Karate.
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:
Hiroshi Noguchi, First Waseda Captain
Shigeru Egami
Toshio Kamata-Watanabe
Tadao Okuyama
Matsuo Shibuya
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 Master 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.
