Isao Obata

Isao Obata
Born1904
Tokyo, Japan
Died1976 (aged 71–72)
Tokyo, Japan
Other names"Elephant"
StyleShotokan Karate, Kyudo, Judo, Kendo
Teacher(s)Gichin Funakoshi
Rank5th dan karate
SpouseMiyako Obata
Notable studentsTsutomu Ohshima, Kazumi Tabata, Shigeru Egami, Masatoshi Nakayama, Hidetaka Nishiyama, Taiji Kase

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]

  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.
  2. ^ Adams, A. (1971): "The Father of modern Karate." Black Belt, 9(10):41–47.
  3. ^ Japan Karate Association: History – The early years (1949–1957) Archived 2010-11-25 at the Wayback Machine (2010). Retrieved on April 23, 2010.
  4. ^ Evans, J. K. (1988): "The battle for Olympic Karate recognition: WUKO vs. IAKF." Black Belt, 26(2):54–58.
  5. ^ British Traditional Karate Association: Shotokai – The true heir of Funakoshi? (June 11, 2006). Retrieved on April 23, 2010.
  6. ^ De Anza Shotokan Karate Club: Shotokan Karate organizations Archived 2010-01-07 at the Wayback Machine (c. 2009). Retrieved on April 23, 2010.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ E/B Productions: A short biography of Master Hidetaka Nishiyama (c. 2009). Retrieved on April 17, 2010.