Hidetaka Nishiyama: Biography
Born in Tokyo in 1928, Hidetaka Nishiyama began his Karate
training in 1943 under Gichin Funakoshi, founder of modern
Shotokan Karate. Two years later, while enrolled at Takushoku
University, he became a member of the universitys Karate team
and in 1949, its captain. He co-founded the All Japan Collegiate
Karate Federation and was elected its first Chairman.
In 1951, after graduating with a Master of Arts degree in
Economics, Nishiyama co-founded the Japan Karate Association
(JKA) and was elected to the JKA Board of Directors.
In 1952, he was selected as a member of the martial arts combat
instruction staff for the United States Strategic Air Command
(SAC) Combat Training Program. In this program, SAC
personnel received training in Judo, Aikido and Karate from top
martial arts instructors including Gichin Funakoshi, Masatoshi
Nakayama and Isao Obata.
In 1953, SAC invited Nishiyama as part of a ten-member Budo Mission from Japan to visit SAC bases
in the United States for three months to give instruction in the martial arts.
In 1960, Nishiyamas book Karate: The Art of Empty-Hand Fighting was published and even today, is
considered the definitive textbook on the subject. Now in its 80th printing, it is believed to be the bestselling
Karate textbook in history.
In 1961, Nishiyama came to the United States on the invitation of SAC Karate students and JKA
members residing in the country. That same year, he organized the All American Karate Federation
(AAKF) as a nationally based amateur Karate organization. In November 1961, he organized, under the
control of the AAKF, the first National Karate Championship in Los Angeles, California where he also
established his dojo. Since then, Nishiyama has been a major force in the propagation of the JKAShotokan
style of Karate in the United States and abroad.
In 1965, Nishiyama organized a cooperative effort of the major Japanese Karate styles that led to the
first United States vs. Japan Goodwill Karate Tournament, the first truly international Karate
competition.
Then in 1968, Nishiyama organized the first World Invitational Karate Tournament held at the Los
Angeles Sports Arena in conjunction with the Olympic Commemorative Tournament in Mexico City,
hosted by Mexico Karate Federation. A conference that took place during the tournament culminated in
the formation of an international Karate organization that would hold its first World Championship in
Tokyo.
In 1970, during a reorganization of the AAKF as the Traditional Karate governing body, the JKA Karate
group separated and became the JKA-US part of the AAKF. Nishiyama continued as Chairman of the
JKA-US and also Chairman of the AAKF. In April of the same year, the AAKF became a member of
the U.S. Olympic Committee.
In 1973, Nishiyama co-founded the Pan American Karate Union (PAKU) and was elected its first
Chairman with the first PAKU Championship held in Rio de Janeiro.
Based on a 1968 agreement during a Mexico City conference, tournaments were held in Tokyo (1970)
and Paris (1973), but these World Championships resulted in disagreement caused by the lack of formal
international organization. An international meeting in New York City then resulted in the formation of
the International Amateur Karate Federation (IAKF). With Nishiyama as Executive Director, the IAKF
held its first World Championship in Los Angeles in 1975.
In 1976, Nishiyama oversaw the formation of the Mediterranean Karate Championship Committee and
the Bolivian Karate Federation. Also that year, acting on behalf of the IAKF, he submitted an
application to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) seeking Olympic recognition for Karate.
In 1977, Nishiyama supported the formation of the Central America/Caribbean Karate Confederation
and the Asia/Oceania Amateur Karate Federation.
In 1979, in accordance with U.S. Public Law regulating national amateur sports governing bodies, the
All American Karate Federation was succeeded by the American Amateur Karate Federation, a public
benefit, non-profit corporation and Nishiyama was elected its first President.
In 1981, Nishiyama lent support to the formation of the South American Karate Confederation and the
North American Karate Confederation.
Then, in 1985, the IAKF changed its name to the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF)
because the word Karate had become a generic term applied to a variety of kicking/punching sports.
The ITKF, under Nishiyamas direction, wanted to make it clear it was the governing body of
Traditional Karate. This was confirmed in 1987 when the IOC confirmed that the ITKF was the sole
governing body for Traditional Karate.
In recognition of Nishiyamas decades of effort on behalf of Traditional Karate and his contribution
towards the physical and psychological health of Americans through Karate, the U.S. National Flag was
flown over the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on October 10, 1999 on the occasion of his 71st birthday.
In May 2000, Nishiyama was further honored when the Nishiyama Cup was held in Moscow, the first
official Karate event conducted in Russia since the end of the Soviet Union.
Then in November of 2000, the Emperor of Japan awarded Nishiyama with Kun-yoto Fourth Order
of Merit and was decorated with Zuiho-sho The Order of the Sacred Treasure for his many
contributions to promote Japanese culture through Traditional Karate.
In addition, the Republic of Poland honored Nishiyama in October 2001 when the President of the
Republic of Poland, Mr. Aleksander Kwasniewski, bestowed upon him one of the highest medals in
Poland, the Officers Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, on the occasion of the first
Traditional Karate World Cup.
Because of his superior technical expertise and disciplined instruction, Nishiyamas reputation has
spread worldwide. He has trained thousands of students, many of them now well known themselves as
national and international champions and instructors.
Nishiyama continues to instruct daily at the National Karate Institute (NKI), also known as the Los
Angeles Central Dojo, and travels frequently to conduct seminars and courses around the United States
and abroad.
Despite a heavy teaching and travel schedule, he continues to steadfastly pursue the study of the original
Karate-do technical training systems in order to better integrate those fundamental concepts into modern
methods of instruction.
The year 2005 marked the completion of his over three decades long study. He said, At this time, I am
very proud to have finally completed this lifelong project and have confidence that we can now pass on
the true art of Traditional Karate to future generations. Now it is your time to meet the new challenges
and accept the opportunities offered by this body of knowledge so that Traditional Karate may continue
to grow and develop for the benefit of all that strive for higher levels of understanding both mind and
body.
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