Japanese karateka (1904–1976)
Isao Obata |
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Born | 1904 Tokyo, Japan |
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Died | 1976 (aged 71–72) Tokyo, Japan |
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Other names | "Elephant" |
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Style | Shotokan Karate, Kyudo, Judo, Kendo |
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Teacher(s) | Gichin Funakoshi |
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Rank | 5th dan karate |
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Spouse | Miyako Obata |
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Notable students | Tsutomu Ohshima, Kazumi Tabata, Shigeru Egami, Masatoshi Nakayama, Hidetaka Nishiyama, Taiji Kase |
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Isao Obata (小畑 功, Obata Isao, 1904–1976) was a pioneering Japanese master of Shotokan karate.[1] He was a senior student of Gichin Funakoshi,[2] who is widely recognized as the founder of modern karate, and was a key figure in the establishment of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) under Funakoshi in 1949.[3][4][5][6] Obata also helped introduce karate to the United States of America through his demonstrations of the art to United States Air Force personnel,[7][8] and through his students, most notably Tsutomu Ohshima.[1]
- ^ a b Blair, R. L. (1972): "Karate is dying, says Isao Obata, disciple of the venerable Gichin Funakoshi, Founder of Modern Karate." Black Belt, 10(10):27–33.
- ^ Adams, A. (1971): "The Father of modern Karate." Black Belt, 9(10):41–47.
- ^ Japan Karate Association: History – The early years (1949–1957) Archived 2010-11-25 at the Wayback Machine (2010). Retrieved on April 23, 2010.
- ^ Evans, J. K. (1988): "The battle for Olympic Karate recognition: WUKO vs. IAKF." Black Belt, 26(2):54–58.
- ^ British Traditional Karate Association: Shotokai – The true heir of Funakoshi? (June 11, 2006). Retrieved on April 23, 2010.
- ^ De Anza Shotokan Karate Club: Shotokan Karate organizations Archived 2010-01-07 at the Wayback Machine (c. 2009). Retrieved on April 23, 2010.
- ^ Melton, J. R. (1986): "The evolution of Karate: From fighting method to art, sport and self-defense system." Black Belt, 24(12):28–32, 98–106.
- ^ E/B Productions: A short biography of Master Hidetaka Nishiyama (c. 2009). Retrieved on April 17, 2010.