Here’s a detailed look at Hirokazu Kanazawa (金沢 浩和, 1931–2019) — a legendary figure in the world of Shotokan karate:
🧘 Overview
Born: May 3, 1931 in Iwate Prefecture, Japan
Died: December 8, 2019, at age 88 (Wikipedia, hertfordshirekarate.co.uk)
Highest Rank: 10th dan in Shotokan karate, awarded by the International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) in 2000–2002 (Wikipedia)
📚 Early Training & Competitive Career
Started with judo, earning a 2nd dan before moving to karate at Takushoku University, training under Masatoshi Nakayama and Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan (Wikipedia).
Became one of the first graduates from the Japan Karate Association (JKA) Instructor Course in 1957 (Wikipedia).
Won the inaugural All-Japan Karate Championship in 1957 in kumite, even while nursing a broken wrist; followed by kumite and kata titles in 1958 (Wikipedia).
🌍 Spreading Shotokan Worldwide
Assigned by JKA to teach in Hawaii in 1961 as a 5th dan, later sent to Europe where he became Chief Instructor of the Karate Union of Great Britain and JKA Europe by 1966 (6th dan) (karatevancouver).
Promoted to 7th dan in 1973 and then left JKA in 1977 to found the Shotokan Karate‑Do International Federation (SKIF) in 1978 (karatevancouver).
🏯 Shotokan Karate‑Do International Federation (SKIF)
Under his leadership, SKIF grew into one of the world’s largest Shotokan organizations, with millions of members across 130+ countries (skifworld.com).
In 2014, he transferred leadership roles to his eldest son Kancho Nobuaki Kanazawa (President) and Shuseki Shihan Manabu Murakami (Chief Instructor) while retaining the honorary title of Soke (headmaster) (SKIF Belgium).
📖 Publications & Philosophy
Authored numerous influential works, such as Karate: My Life (2003), Karate Fighting Techniques, Black Belt Karate: The Intensive Course, and The Complete Kata (Wikipedia).
Later in decades, incorporated softer martial arts elements like tai chi, kobudō, and katas from Ryū styles into his Shotokan curriculum—reflecting a holistic and evolving approach to martial arts (Wikipedia).
🎓 Legacy & Impact
Widely regarded as one of the most respected and beloved senior masters in Shotokan karate globally (Shotokan Karate Magazine).
Known for blending discipline with open-mindedness and approachability, earning admiration from both casual practitioners and elite instructors (Shotokan Karate Magazine, The Applied Karate Blog).
His students describe his seminars as a powerful mix of kata, kumite, storytelling, and personal interaction, often leaving lasting impressions on attendees (warrenerentertainment.com).
📅 Timeline at a Glance
Year Milestone1931Born in Iwate Prefecture1956 Graduated Takushoku University; joined JKA1957 Kumite Champion, All-Japan Championship1958 Kumite & Kata Champion1961Moves to Hawaii as JKA Chief Instructor (5th dan)1966Chief Instructor, Britain & Europe (6th dan)1977–78 Leaves JKA; founds SKIF 2000–02 Promoted to 10th dan 2014 Leadership transitions in SKIF2019 Passes away peacefully at age 88
💬 Reflections from Practitioners
From a longtime SKIF student on Reddit:
"Kanazawa is a highly respected karate practitioner … at higher levels there's a bit of a softening of the typical Shotokan rigidity but, on the whole, it's very typical JKA Shotokan." (Wikipedia, shuriway.co.uk, skifworld.com, karatevancouver, warrenerentertainment.com, Reddit)
SKIF instructors remember him as:
"One of the most respected and well loved instructors in Shotokan … very personable and approachable … ability to clearly demonstrate a technique by actions was outstanding." (CFTS Karate)
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OSS 🙇♂️🙏
https://www.mykarateclub.co.uk
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