It was around 1950 that I started to learn karate under master Kenwa Mabuni, who was already in his later years. The name of master Mabuni's school was "Yoshukan". It looked like the room, not so spacious, of a normal private house.

Master Mabuni sat straight and calm on the master's seat at the front, without stirring. Sometimes he looked to be asleep. But, watching my practice, he would rise up and come to me calmly and show me right ways with great care, with easy explanations. He spoke with a slightly provincial accent and was very affectionate to all.

One match with master Mabuni is unforgettable: Master Mabuni was standing naturally with his hands down and told me to attack. He was of slight build and appeared to be so old.

So, I felt hesitation in my attack. I made oizuki to the master, but master Mabuni dodged a little saying no it's not strong enough. After repeating the same things several times, I became serious and made an attack with all my power. He dodged it lightly and was already in the position to counterattack. I was truly surprised by how master Mabuni held himself so flexibly and lightly.

The forms and techniques I learned from master Mabuni, and those praised by the master, come to me ever stronger with time. They are my favorite karate arts.

Tokio Hisatomi

Courtesy Sensei A. Tanzadeh

Tokio Hisatomi

[previous page]     [ next page]     [sitemap]