Cecil T. Patterson

Cecil T. Patterson
Born(1930-06-22)June 22, 1930
Sevierville, Tennessee, United States
DiedOctober 27, 2002(2002-10-27) (aged 72)
StyleWadō-ryū Karate
Teacher(s)Hironori Ōtsuka
Rank8th dan karate
WebsiteU.S. Eastern Wado Ryu Karate Federation

Cecil T. Patterson (June 22, 1930 – October 27, 2002), among America’s earliest karateka, introduced the Wadō-ryū style of karate into the Eastern United States in 1958.[1] Before his death in 2002, he had firmly established the United States Eastern Wadō-ryū Federation, previously known as the United States Eastern Wado-Kai Federation, a successful Karate organization 20 thousand strong, according to Patterson’s statement in an interview.[2]

Born in 1930 in Sevierville, Tennessee, Patterson first enlisted in the US Navy at the age of fourteen.[3] While stationed in Iwakuni, Japan, Patterson, then 25 years of age, undertook the study of Karate. According to the USEWF website, Patterson started Wado in 1955 under Kazuo Sakura;[4] more specifically, he started training in August 1955.[5] In 1957, Patterson opened the first karate school in Tennessee, and in 1963 organized the first karate tournament in the state. In 1978 Tennessee governor Ray Blanton signed into law a state senate resolution naming Patterson the father of karate in Tennessee.[6]

  1. ^ "The USEWF: Our Federation". USEWF. Retrieved December 26, 2009.
  2. ^ Mahanes, Jim (2002). "Cecil T. Patterson: Keeping the Wado Flame Burning". USEWF. Retrieved December 26, 2009.
  3. ^ Patterson, Cecil (1975). Police Defensive Tactics. self published.
  4. ^ Patterson, John (2008). "From the President". USEWF. Retrieved December 26, 2009.
  5. ^ Patterson, Cecil (1976). Karate Wado-Ryu: Shichi Kyu. Volume II. self published.
  6. ^ "Karateka". Black Belt. 16 (8). Active Interest Media: 12. August 1978. ISSN 0277-3066. Retrieved January 9, 2010.