Hirokazu Kanazawa facts for kids

Hirokazu Kanazawa (金澤 弘和, Kanazawa Hirokazu, 3 May 1931 – 8 December 2019) was a famous Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He was the main instructor and President of the Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation (SKIF). He started this group after leaving the Japan Karate Association (JKA). Kanazawa held the highest rank, 10th dan, in Shotokan Karate.

Early Life and Training

Hirokazu Kanazawa was born on May 3, 1931, in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. When he was in school, he trained in judo. He earned a 2nd dan rank in judo. He began learning karate at Takushoku University. His teacher was Masatoshi Nakayama, who was the head instructor of Shotokan karate at the time. Kanazawa also learned from Gichin Funakoshi, who created the Shotokan style. Kanazawa was one of the last karateka (karate practitioners) to be taught by Funakoshi himself.

Kanazawa quickly became very good at karate. He earned his 1st dan rank in Shotokan karate in less than two years. Three years later, he was promoted to 2nd dan. In 1956, he finished university and joined the JKA. That same year, he reached the rank of 3rd dan. Kanazawa won the first-ever All Japan Karate Championship in 1957. He won the kumite (sparring) competition, even though he had a broken hand! Also in 1957, Kanazawa was one of the first people to finish the JKA's special instructor training program. In 1958, he won the kata (patterns) title. He also shared the kumite title with Takayuki Mikami. They were classmates and friends. They knew each other's moves so well that they didn't attack much. Because of this, they shared the title.

Sharing Shotokan with the World

In January 1961, the JKA sent Kanazawa to Hawaii. His mission was to start karate schools there. He was a 5th dan at that time. He opened a dojo (training hall) and became the first President of the Hawaii Karate Congress. In May 1963, he left Hawaii to teach karate in Europe and Japan. In 1966, Kanazawa became the Chief Instructor of the Karate Union of Great Britain. The JKA promoted him to 6th dan that same year. In 1973, the All Japan Karate Federation gave him the rank of 7th dan.

In 1977, Kanazawa left the JKA. He then started his own organization, the Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation (SKIF). From then on, he taught and promoted karate through SKIF. He also helped organize many karate world championships. Even after leaving the JKA, he stayed in touch with his old friends there. Kanazawa showed his karate skills at many events. This included the 10th Traditional Karate Tournament International in Las Vegas in 1990. He also performed at the 14th and 15th tournaments in 1994 and 1995.

Kanazawa wrote several books about karate. Some of his books include Kankudai (1969) and Karate: My life (2003). He also co-wrote Moving Zen: One man's journey to the heart of Karate (2001). Another book he co-wrote was Karate fighting techniques: The complete kumite (2004). His book Black Belt Karate came out in 2006. Paul Walker also wrote a book about him called Lessons with the Master: 279 Karate lessons with Master Hirokazu Kanazawa.

The International Martial Arts Federation recognized Kanazawa's high skill. They promoted him to 8th dan in 1978. He became a 9th dan in 1988. Finally, in 2000, he reached the highest rank of 10th dan.

See also

• List of Shotokan organizations