AJJIF KARATE LEGEND

O-Sensei

HIDETAKA NISHIYAMA ( 1928-2008 )

AJJIF member since 11 December, 2005

Born in Tokyo, Japan Hidetaka Nishiyama was a great Japanese-American Martial Arts Master of Shotokan Ryu Karate style. Author of one of the world's all-time best selling martial arts books, "Karate the Art of Empty Hand Fighting" and over 50 years of teaching Worldwide.

His Martial Arts training begin in 1933 and in 1943, when he started training in Shotokan Karate under it's founder Master Funakoshi Gichin (1868-1957).

                                                                                                             Master Funakoshi Gichin 

O-Sensei Nishiyama was a founder of the All Japan Collegiate Karate Federation, Japan Karate Association (JKA), International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF), All American Karate Federation (AAKF).

 In 1961 Nishiyama organized first National Karate Championship in Los Angeles, USA. And in 1968 first World Invitational Karate Tournament.

In November of 2000, the Emperor of Japan awarded O-Sensei Hidetaka Nishiyama with"Kun-yoto" - Fourth Order of Merit - and was decorated with "Zuiho-sho" - The Order of the Sacred Treasure, for his many contributions to promote Japanese culture through Traditional Karate Worldwide.

"At this time, I am very proud to have finally completed this lifelong project and have confidence that we can now pass on the true art of Traditional Karate to future generations. Now it is your time to meet the new chalenges 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 that strive for higher levels of understanding both mind and body."

O-Sensei Hidetaka Nishiyama, 2005 

Historical photo in Los Angeles, on 11 December, 2005. O-Sensei Nishiyama receiving from AJJIF Life             Membership and Special Award Recognition Certificate of 10 Dan in Karate Do for his Life Time contribution    and development of Traditional Karate Do Worldwide.  

O-Sensei Hidetaka Nishiyama passed away on November 7, 2008 at the age of 80. 

AJJIF JUDO LEGEND 

Hanshi

TAKAHIKO ISHIKAWA ( 1917-2008 )

AJJIF member since 10 September, 2006

Takahiko Ishikawa was a great Japanese-American Martial Arts Master of Judo. He was the All Japan Champion in 1949 and in 1950 and the youngest person to be awarded title of Shihan (Professor) at the Keishicho. And Judo Instructor for Tokyo Police.

Sensei Ishikawa  was a founder of Pentagon Judo Club with Maj. Donn F. Draeger - 1955, founder of CIA Judo Club (Virginia) - 1956,  Former Head Instructor of Kodokan Institute (Tokyo, Japan), Inventor of "Spring Floor" for Kodokan Institute (Tokyo, Japan), Author of Judo Book "Judo Training Methods - A Source book" (Tokyo, Japan - 1961).

 Hanshi Takahiro Ishikawa passed away on June 9, 2008 at the age of 91.

AJJIF SHORINJI KEMPO LEGEND

Junhanshi

TOSHIO KURAMOTO ( 1949 - 2007 )

AJJIF member since 11 July, 2005

Toshio Kuramoto was a great Japanese-American Martial Arts Master of Shorinji Kempo. He is the founder of the Shorinji Kempo of Hollywood Dojo was born in Japan and the former student of the founder of Kongo-Zen Sohonzan Temple with Shorinji Kempo, Master Doshin So (1911-1980 ). 

                     Master Doshin So

In 1968 Kuramoto start to learn Shorinji Kempo at the Kongo-Zen Sohonzan Shorinji, in Koshigaya Doin, Saitama-Ken, Japan and has practiced it for more then 37 years.

Kuramoto was an ordained Zen Buddhist priest of the Kongo-Zen Sohonzan Shorinji Temple in Shikoku, Japan.

Kuramoto was featured in and on the covers of some of America's top martial arts magazines and seen in demonstrations, film, television shows and numerous print media articles.

Master Kuramoto made a huge contribution to the development of Shorinji Kempo in the U.S.A. In 2002 Kuramoto was inducted into the Martial Arts Masters Hall of Fame.

" Shorinji Kempo should not be taught for the purpose of fighting or to harm others but to polish your own skills in order to become a better person. Learn about yourself first; listen to yourself. Learn to respect yourself, and others. Become a person who is worthy of the respect of others. Shorinji Kempo believes in working with your training partner (as in enbu) in a spirit of mutual aid and development.

With things like sotai practice, you show consideration for others from which will spring spiritual partnership. All these facets of training should be practiced every day. "

Master Toshio Kuramoto

Historical photo in Los Angeles, on 11 December, 2005. Master Kuramoto receiving from AJJIF             Special Award Recognition Certificate of 7 Dan in Shorinji Kempo for his Life Time contribution and development of Shorinji Kempo in USA.  

Junhanshi Toshio Kuramoto passed away on May 24, 2007 at the age of 58.

AJJIF DAITO RYU AIKI JIU-JITSU LEGEND

Hanshi

JOHN DENORA J.D. ( 1930-2008 )

AJJIF member since 24 May, 2004

Great American Martial Arts Master of Daito Ryu Aiki Jiu-Jitsu and Professor of Japanese Martial Arts. Founder of Daito Ryu USA and Vice President of AJJIF - ALL JAPAN JU-JITSU INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION, 3 times Martial Arts Masters Hall of Fame, Karate Hall of Fame ( World Karate Union ).

Prof. Denora was fourth generation (Yosei), 38th Master in the line after Sokaku Takeda no Minamoto no Masayoshi, the 35th Headmaster of Daito Ryu. 

Professor Denora has trained and taught martial arts in Japan, Okinawa, Korea, Hawaii, Taiwan and other areas learning from the great masters.

While living in Japan Denora trained with many great masters learning true samurai bugei arts. 

In 1953 John Denora begin training with Jujutsu/Judo Sensei T.Nakamura, learning many arts from this teacher. Dr. Nakamura was also a master of Ki and the sword (Shin Ken).

                                                                                                                Sensei T.Nakamura

John Denora studied under Katsumi Yonezawa Sensei in Hokkaido, Japan. Yonezawa Sensei had been taught and certified by Horikawa Kodo. Kodo and Kodo's father were the top disciples of Sokaku Takeda.

Denora was certified as a special, personal representative (Kyoju Dairi) of the grandmaster and was presented with the Hiden Mokuroku of techniques; making him fourth generation after Sokaku Takeda no Minamoto no Masayoshi (the last great Samurai of the Minamoto Genji clan). John was one of only a handful of people to ever receive this teaching license in true Daito-Ryu Aiki Jiu Jitsu from the Soke of Bokuyokan Daito Ryu.

John Denora also trained with the Great Master Yoshiteru Otani; a master in Judo, Jujutsu, Kenjutsu, and Jigen Ryu sword.

                                                                                                 Master Yoshiteru Otani

John Denora teachings and preserving the tradition of Daito Ryu will be carried on by O-Sensei Alexey Kunin through the organization of AJJIF - ALL JAPAN JU-JITSU INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION.

Hanshi Prof. John Denora J.D. passed away on 28 August, 2008 at the age of 78.

AJJIF SAIGO HA DAITO RYU AIKI BUJUTSU LIVING LEGEND

Gunshi

DR. JOHN J.WILLIAMS

( born in 1940 )

AJJIF member since 14 November, 2004

Gunshi Williams is a Great Canadian-American Martial Arts Grandmaster of Saigo Ha Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu.

34th generation Grandmaster Gunshi / Iemoto Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu Aiki Bujutsu Dai Nippon Butokukai-Japan, FAJKO-Japan.

He started training in Tani Ha Jujitsu, founded by a Japanese Jujitsu Master Yukio Tani (who was a student of Shio Saigo - 30th generation Grandmaster of the 1200-year old martial art known as Daito Ryu).

           Tanomo Saigo     Shiro Saigo    Yamashita Houei    Nishio Takeda         Lin Po          Pok Shen         

Dr. Williams was a dedicated student of Pok Shen - 33rd generation Grandmaster of the old Japanese art - Saigo Ha Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu, Grandmaster Pok Shen was the inheritor of Grandmaster Lin Po (32nd generation Grandmaster Gunshi of Saigo Ha Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu).

Master Pok Shen passed the scrolls of successor ship of Saigo Ha Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu over to Dr. Williams, who then became the 34th Grandmaster Gunshi or Headmaster of this 1200-year old samurai art.

Tanomo Saigo's hair from head & beard                                                                                                        (Passed on down through Nishio Takeda, Lin Po, Pok Shen to Dr. Williams)

Dr. John Williams certificates of Full Mastery ( Successor ) in Saigo Ha Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu

Over the years Dr. Williams meet and has trained with many Japanese Grandmasters                                   (some are listed below)

Soke Katsumi Yonezawa              Soke Shogo Kuniba          Soke Toshio Kaneta        Soke J.K.Yamaue

In 1987, Dr. Williams set a Guinness record for breaking ice with a punch (11 inches thick, by 22 inches wide, by 42 inches long, 10 stacks high). THIS RECORD STILL STANDS TODAY! (2009) 22-years later!

Gunshi Dr. John Williams is AJJIF Senior Adviser - World Technical Director and sponsoring Head Family of World Headmasters Council of Martial Arts (WHCMA). Gunshi Williams appointed O-Sensei Alexey Kunin as a Senior Adviser of Military Commander of the Great Eastern Military (Dai Yokoyori Gunshi Saigo Ha Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu).

AJJIF JU-JITSU LIVING LEGEND

Professor

WALLY JAY

( born in 1917 )

AJJIF member since 01 June, 2004

Prof. Wally Jay is a Great American-Hawaiian Martial Arts Grandmaster of Jujitsu. Founder of Jujitsu America and Small Circle Jujitsu International (Professor Jay's Small Circle Jujitsu).

In 1940, Jay studied Danzan Ryu jujutsu under Juan Gomez and also learned judo under the former Hawaiian Champion, Ken Kawachi, who gave him the key to the Small Circle Jujitsu techniques.

                                                        Professor Okazaki

Wally Jay receives his instructor scroll from Prof. Okazaki in 1945.

1946 group photo of Tony Gonzales, Wally Jay, Prof. Okazaki, Frank Kam and Jerry Tarutani.

Prof. Wally Jay has received many awards in the past which include: Hokka Judo Yudanshakai named him "Northern California Judo Coach of the year". Black Belt Magazine's Instructor of Jujitsu and Man of the Year. Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame in 1969 / 1990. Inside Kung Fu magazine named him as one of the 100 most influential martial arts personalities of all times. He has been featured on the covers of several martial arts magazines.

In 1962 Wally Jay spent time with Bruce Lee, teaching him judo and jujutsu techniques. 

Prof. Wally Jay has published two books;                                                                                                  Dynamic JuJitsu and Small Circle JuJitsu and numerous instructional videos.

Historical photo of two Grandmasters: Prof. John Denora and Prof. Wally Jay.

President of the AJJIF O-Sensei Alexey Kunin has been training directly under Prof. Wally Jay.

AJJIF JUDO LIVING LEGEND

Hanshi

NORI BUNASAWA

AJJIF member since 21 December, 2003

Bunasawa is a great Japanese-American Martial Arts Master of Judo. Former Instructor of Kodokan Judo Institute, Founder, Bunasawa JUKEN-DO "Conde Koma, Style of Jiujitsu. Former Captain of All-Japan Judo Team and All Japan Judo Champion. US World Judo Team Coach.

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Judo Journal, now known as Judo/Jujitsu/Pro-Fighting Journal. Author : The Story of Mitsuyo Maeda, The Toughest Man Who Ever Lived.

Bunasawa has been studied under Yoshimi Osawa (10th Dan Kodokan Judo) and Greatest Judoka of all times, Masahiko Kimura, All Japan Champion Pro-Judo/Jujitsu (who defeats Helio Gracie) and inventor of famous "Kimura Lock".

                                  Bunasawa Sensei trying his own Kanibasami (Flying Scissors) on Masahiko Kimura

Nori Bunasawa also been studied under Japanese Aikido and Judo teacher Professor Kenji Tomiki (founder of Tomiki Aikido).

           Professor Kenji Tomiki 

In 1984 he made an Olympic Games ad for ABC television. In 1992, Sensei Bunasawa starred in a feature length Hollywood martial arts action comedy, "Judo Justice" and did a stage show with Bob Hope.

In 2006, he acted in Clint Eastwood's Academy Award nominated movie; "Letters from Iwojima".

Sensei Bunasawa has participated in many films for TV and cinema. In the process, he's become the Bruce Lee of Judo.

AJJIF JUDO LIVING LEGEND

O-Sensei

PHILIP S. PORTER

( born in 1925 )

AJJIF member since 01 June, 2004

O-Sensei Philip Porter is a Great American Martial Arts Master of Judo, "The Father of American Judo" and founder of United States Martial Arts Association (USMA). Porter has studied, refereed, taught, and competed for 65 years.

"We may not see the goal clearly, but in Judo we have a way. I believe we should always remember that practice, practice, practice, is the remover of doubt and uncertainty. Not for a week, a month, or a year, but for as long as the body draws breath. Dr. Kano gave us the secret of Judo in three words: "Never Miss Practice."

Porter also studied Judo under Great Kodokan Judo Teachers Sumiyuki Kotani, Tadao Otaki and Sadaki Nakabayashi. 

         Sumiyuki Kotani                                          Tadao Otaki                                   Sadaki Nakabayashi 

O-Sensei Philip Porter started competing in Judo in 1951, and is still active in masters competition. He has produced over 1,000 national and international medalists in Judo over the past 50 years.

Porter created the large numbers of Judo and the Martial Arts books ("Judo From The Beginning", "Championship Judo Drill Training", "The Basic JuJitsu Manual"), magazine articles, videos and DVDs: ("The 65 Throws of Kodokan Judo", "The Secrets Of Winning In Judo", "The Counters of Judo", "Judo Grappling Techniques").

 President of the AJJIF O-Sensei Alexey Kunin has been training directly under O-Sensei Philip Porter.

AJJIF GOJU RYU KARATE LIVING LEGEND

Hanshi

HOKAMA TETSUHIRO

( born in 1944 )

AJJIF member since 01 September, 2006

Hanshi Hokama Tetsuhiro is a Great Japanese Martial Arts Master of Goju Ryu Karate. President of the Okinawa Goju Ryu Kenshi-Kai Karate Do Kobudo Association, founder of the first Karate Kobudo Museum in the World and a Calligraphy Master.

Hanshi Tetsuhiro Hokama is truly a master of the "Old Ways".

Hanshi Hokama began Karate as a child in 1952. His grandfather Seiken Tokuyama taught him the fundamentals of Shuri-te Karate. In 1961 he began training with the legendary Master Seiko Higa (1898 -1966) a student of Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1915) and Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953).

                  Master Seiko Higa                   Master Kanryi Higaonna              Master Chojun Miyagi

                                    Master Shinpo Matayoshi

Upon the death of Seiko Higa in 1966 Hanshi Hokama continues his training with one of Higa's top student Seiko Fukuchi (1919-1975). It was both of these great masters that taught Hokama the Kakushite (hidden hand) referring to the secret techniques in Kata.

              Master Seiko Fukuchi  

Grandmaster Hokama Tetsuhiro appeared in the Learning Channel documentary "Top Ten Martial Arts". Author of many Karate, Kobudo books and videos and has been featured in many foreign magazines. Published a calligraphy book on Okinawan proverbs.

AJJIF BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU LIVING LEGEND

Grandmaster

REYLSON GRACIE

( born in 1943 )

AJJIF member since 21 June, 2005

Grandmaster Reylson Gracie is a Great Brazilian-American Martial Arts Master of Brazilian Gracie Jiu-Jitsu / Reylson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Reylson Gracie is the son of Carlos Gracie the founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

" My father was the first Brazilian to learn Japanese Jiu-jitsu. My father was invited to learn the Japanese Jiu-Jitsu from Count Mitsuyo Maeda Koma, (a friend of the crowned prince, Hirohito). From the start he tried to improve it and share its tradition and philosophy with the other people."

                                                                           Master Carlos Gracie

" I think I can give something extraordinary to people who don't have the physical advantages that natural athletes have. I want to transform little guys into giants. I'll use these techniques to help people like me succeed, not just in physical confrontation but in all areas of life."

 Master Carlos Gracie

Master Mitsuyo Maeda Koma                                                                                                     

At 4 years old Reylson Gracie began to learn jiu-jitsu. When he was only 14 years old, he began to teach the Gracie jiu-jitsu System to his father's students. At 17 years old Reylson Gracie was the youngest family member certified as a Black Belt Master Instructor.

Grandmaster Reylson Gracie is known around the world due to his unique self-defense program and his teaching style.

"I have opened my doors to the world to continue to share the knowledge, philosophy and mission that began with my father, Carlos Gracie. We give the confidence to people to have equal conditions to win in life."

Grandmaster Reylson Gracie