Hidetaka Nishiyama (Please Share with a friend)
Hidetaka Nishiyama 1928 – 2008
“Only Your Best Was Good Enough”
Hidetaka Nishiyama was a prominent Japanese master of Shotokan karate.He was an internationally recognized instructor,
author, and administrator, and helped to establish the Japan Karate Association.Nishiyama was one of the last surviving
students of Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan karate.He was based in the
United States of America from 1961 until his death in 2008, and was a pioneer
of karate in that country.
In 1943, Nishiyama was promoted to the rank of 1st dan in kendo eventually reaching 3rd dan,and began training in Shotokan karate at the honbudojo (headquarters training hall) under its founder, Gichin Funakoshi.He recalled that training in the honbu dojo was around 80% kata (patterns) and 20% kihon (basics), and that Funakoshi and his son, Gigō Funakoshi, would divide the teaching load evenly between them. In 1946, he was promoted to 1st dan rank in karate, followed in 1948 by promotion to 2nd dan.
While enrolled at Takushoku University, Nishiyama became a member of the university's karate team, and in 1949 he was named team captain.That same year, he helped to establish the Japan Karate Association (JKA).He was appointed to take charge of the JKA instructors' training program, and continued to oversee it until the late 1950s.Recalling notable graduates of the course, he said, "There were many but I think Mr. Kanazawa was exceptional, even though he left the JKA. There were many very good people, like Mr. Enoeda, Shirai, Mikami and many others as well.” In 1950, Gichin Funakoshi promoted Nishiyama to 3rd dan in karate.
In June 1960, Nishiyama was promoted to the rank of 5th dan in Shotokan karate. In July 1961, he moved to the US at the invitation of former students he had taught at the US Strategic Air Command base in Japan. He founded the All American Karate Association (AAKF). In 1974 he became the Executive Director of the International Amateur Karate Federation (IAKF). On November 1, 2003, the Inter San Ten Karate Assn. (ISKA) awarded him the rank of 10th dan.
Over his many years in karate, Nishiyama received many awards. None were as special to him as when the Emperor of Japan awarded him the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 4th Class (Gold Rays with Rosette) on November 3, 2000, in a ceremony on the grounds of Tokyo Imperial Palace.
In 2005, at a gathering of students
and colleagues, he reflected on the 65 years he had dedicated to following the
path of Traditional Karate under the guidance of his sensei Gichin Funakoshi, and stated: “….. I am very proud to have finally
completed this lifelong project. 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 who strive for higher levels of understanding
both mind and body.”
Three years later, in 2008, the martial arts world was left to mourn the loss of one of their great legends!
Nishiyama was instrumental in the founding of the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF). On October 10, 2009, the ITKF posthumously awarded the rank of 10th dan to him. His daughter Nami accepted the honour on his behalf. On that occasion, ITKF Chairman Richard Jorgensen recalled Sensei Nishiyama saying that he never wanted to achieve the level of 10th Dan because he believed to do so and acquire the highest rank meant that his learningand his life would be over, and therefore he would never accept the rank while he lived!