Cassandra Haynes

April 2012

Master Hidetaka Nishiyama was considered to be one of the great masters and pioneers of Japanese Traditional Karate, which is why the Emperor of Japan designated him as a Living National Treasure in 2000. This designation is given to only a few individuals each year who have dedicated their lives to the preservation of Japans cultural heritage.

Master Nishiyama began his study in 1943 at the age of fifteen, with Master Gichin Funakoshi and trained with him until his death. At that time, karate was not yet popular. Other martial arts, such as judo and kendo were taught as compulsory classes in Japanese middle schools, similar to American physical education classes. After a difficult search, he found Master Funakoshi and his karate dojo in Tokyo. He continued his study with Master Funakoshi until the great masters death.

In the late 40's the American Strategic Air Command (SAC) Special Forces began combat training in judo, aikido and karate. Master Nishiyama accompanied a special demonstration group, which toured the American bases.

"We were invited to the American bases to instruct... I was the youngest. Every time we went to the bases we were expected to give demonstrations. These were very tough, because I had to break many boards. Pretty soon my hands and forearms were in a bad state. This happened 3 or 4 times a day. Eventually I couldn't move my arms."

According to a student of Master Nishiyama, "...many times the American instructors would present Mr. Nishiyama with very thick boards that had been soaked in water. Mr Nishiyama never failed to break these boards and never once asked his seniors to break them for him". Although this was a difficult time for Master Nishiyama and his fellow karate enthusiasts, it helped him realize that karate could be spread internationally.

Master Nishiyama later became one of the original founders of the Japan Karate Association, home of the famous JKA Instructors School which has produced some of the most famous karate masters in the world: Kanazawa, Enoeda, Shirai and Mikami. In 1960 he published "Karate: The Art of Empty Hand Fighting". It is still considered the definitive text on the subject and the best selling karate book in history. In 1961 he moved to the United States and founded the All American Karate Federation AAKF.

In 1975, Master Nishiyama helped found the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) to help avoid confusion between the "new" karate styles and traditional karate, and to maintain consistency in traditional karate training throughout the world. Master Nishiyama and the ITKF have worked with the International Olympic Committee to have traditional karate recognized as an official Olympic event.

Master Nishiyama passed away in November 2008. He will be missed deeply by his students and Karate practitioners around the world.