Chester
County Shotokan Karate Club - info@ccskc.org
- 3838 West Lincoln Highway, Downington, PA 19335
. . .
Teruyuki
Okazaki was born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan in 1931. His study of
martial arts began at elementary school age with Judo and Kendo. In
1947, when it was time to enter Takushoku University, he decided to
train in Aikdo, with Master Ueshiba, and karate, with Master
Funakoshi. In time, the decision was made to devote all of his time to
karate.
After
graduating in 1953, and until his appointment to the United States in
1961, Sensei Okazaki continued the growth of his influence in Shotokan
Karate. He taught Shotokan at the University, as well as Japan's
self-defense academy, traveled with Masters Funakoshi and Nakayama
giving demonstrations, teaching, and studying other martial arts, and
was hired by the Japan Karate Association to coach the first
instructor trainee program.
The
short assignment to the U.S. has now lasted almost 50 years. His
organization, the International Shotokan Karate Federation, is the
largest outside of Japan, providing more evidence of his profound
expertise as a karate-ka (holding the 10th degree) and as a world
renowned leader in Shotokan karate.