Tak Kubota - "The Man With The Iron Fists"
Takayuki Kubota is a Japanese master of karate. He founded the Gosoku-ryu style of karate, and is the founder and president of the International Karate Association.
Kubota holds the title of Sōke for his development of the Gosoku-ryū style of karate. The new style was created to remain loyal to the old masters and forefathers while complementing it with practical innovation. He is also the inventor and holder of the trademark of the Kubotan self-defense key chain. Kubota was a self-defense instructor for the Tokyo Police department in the 1950s, where he was noted for his expertise in practical karate. .
In 1939, at the age of four, Kubota
began studying martial arts under the direction of his father, Denjiro Kuboto, who
was a master of jujitsu and jukendo. The training
included bamboo yadi, judo, keibo-jutsu (baton), and makiwara practice. During
World War II, Kubota learned karate under the guidance of two Okinawans—Terada
and Tokunag, who were teaching local people with basics in the martial art of
te.
At the age of 13, Kubota went to Tokyo to seek his fortune.
Upon arrival, he discovered there was no work and no place to stay. While in a queue for food, Kubota helped the police to capture some criminals using his skill in taiho jutsu (arresting technique). One of the officers, Detective Karino, gave Kubota a place to stay and helped him finish his education. Karino brought him to the dojo (training hall) of Chinese master Cai. In return, Kubota taught Karino the art of taiho jutsu.
Grandmaster Kubota has devoted his life to learning, creating, and teaching the applications of self-defense to military, law enforcement and civilian personnel. He holds a 10th dan in karate and kubojitsu, a 5th dan in aikido and judo, and a 2nd dan in kendo. In 2015, he celebrated 68 years as a karate instructor, and 15 years as President of the International Karate Association. He teaches Gosokuryu karate, kubojutsu, kubatactical, toshin ryu and iaido martial arts styles. His notable students include: James Caan (who still trains with him),Rod Kuratomi, Val Mijhajlovic, and Chuck Barris. Prominent students, Takemasa Okayama, and Temoanarupe Inuhaere rank at 8th Dan.
Kubota has been featured in more than 280 movies, TV shows and commercials. His movie appearances include: The Mechanic (1992), Pearl Harbour (2001), The Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006).
The literal translation of GoSoku, is power(Go) with speed (Soku).
GoSoku Ryu is very powerful and a perfect blend of power of Shotokan karate with the speed of Goju-ryu. Soke Kubota refuses to compare the relative merits of the Gosoku-ryu style with other methods of karate practices. To him “Karate is Karate”. He is known as a very humble, modest, and a person with a deep respect for tradition.
To learn more about Master Kubota please watch these DVD's.
