Yoseikan Karate

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Yoseikan Karate (Yoseikan Ryu Karate) is the name given to the Karate (Shotokan) taught at the Yoseikan Dojo in Shizuoka, Japan, under the direction of Minoru Mochizuki (望月稔 Mōchizuki Minoru, 1907–2003).

Minoru Mochizuki trained directly under Gichin Funakoshi, the man who formally introduced Karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921. In the 1970’s Minoru Mochizuki formally organised his arts into Yoseikan Budo, including Karate, aikido, judo, Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu, jujutsu, kobudo, iaido, kendo, jojutsu, and kempo.^[1] A small number of schools through the world still focus on the traditional Karate aspect of Yoseikan, and as such refer to it as Yoseikan Karate, or Yoseikan Ryu Karate.

1 Yoseikan Karate in Europe
- 1.1 France
- 1.2 England
2 Yoseikan Ryu Karate in Japan
3 Yoseikan Ryu Karate in Australia
4 Yoseikan Budo in Australia
5 References
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Yoseikan Karate in Europe

In 1954 Minoru Mochizuki taught the first European students Yoseikan Karate. First in Switzerland and then in France where he was invited to teach for the founder of the French Karate Federation, Henri Plee. From here Yoseikan Karate, as it became known, crept across Europe.

[edit] France

In 1957, Minoru Mochizuki sent his eldest son, Hiroo Mochizuki, to France to teach Karate in Europe. Hiroo Mochizuki returned to Japan in 1959 to finish his studies. In 1963 he returned to France in order to replace Jim Alcheik, the senior Yoseikan student in France, who had died in 1961. Hiroo Mochizuki participated in the creation of the French Karate Federation, and in 1964 he became the first technical advisor to the French Karate Federation and European Karate Union. In the 70's, under supervision of Hiroo Mochizuki, the French Karate team became the first foreign team to defeat the Japanese team in the Karate world championships. After some time, Hiroo Mochizuki developed his own style, he initially called it Yoken, but later he changed the name to Yoseikan Budo to honour his father.^[2]

[edit] England

In 1955 Henri Plee invited Vernon Bell to study Yoseikan Karate along with other representatives from Germany (Mr Sydel) and Italy (Mr Malatesti). All eventually received their Shodan (1st Dan) diplomas from Minoru Mochizuki and were all asked to consider setting up national Federations for the development of Yoseikan in each of their own countries. In 1956 Vernon Bell founded the British Karate Federation with the intention of forming a governing body for all Karate styles in the UK.

Some of the first pupils trained at the Royal British Legion hall in Upminster, Essex. Between 1958 and 1965, Vernon Bell helped established branches throughout England, as the B.K.F continued to grow, he also continued to encourage teachers to visit from Japan. In 1965, following correspondence with the Japan Karate Association which was at that time under the supervision of their Chief Instructor Masatoshi Nakayama, Vernon bell agreed to personally sponsor a visit by a group of JKA instructors to help the future development of (Shotokan) Karate in the U.K.. These included Taiji Kase, Hirokasu Kanasawa, Keinosuke Enoeda, and Hiroshi shirai. Although ultimately successful for the British Karate Movement and in particular Shotokan Karate, this eventually marked the downfall of the B.K.F due to disagreements between Mr Bell and the B.K.F committee. The B.K.F eventually disbanded in 1966, with most the members opting to join the newly formed Shotokan organisations.

As a result Vernon Bell redirected his efforts back towards the original Yoseikan Karate he had learnt, along with the few members he had left. This included promoting the arts of Jujutsu, Judo, and Aikido to his followers. In 2001 Vernon C. F. Bell presented Chris Clarry with official documentation entrusting him with the duty of continuing the original Yoseikan linage, originally bestowed to Vernon Bell by the Minoru Mochizuki, Via Henri Plee. Vernon C. F. Bell Died February 2004.^[3]

[edit] Yoseikan Ryu Karate in Japan

Yoseikan Ryu Karate in Japan, as with other counties, traces it origins back to Minoru Mochizuki and the Yoseikan. Today Teruo Sano, a student of Minoru Mochizuki oversees Yoseikan Ryu Karate in Japan, and around the world under his organisation, Yoseikan Ryu Karate International. Affiliated groups exist in Australia, as well as Canada and Europe.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Yoseikan Ryu Karate in Australia

The origins of Yoseikan Karate in Australia begin in 1968 in aikido. In 1968 Phillipe Boiron began teaching Yoseikan Aikido for Jan de Jong in Perth, Western Australia. This lead Jan de Jong to Japan in 1969 to train directly under Minoru Mochizuki. In 1974, on an official request from Jan de Jong, Minoru Mochizuki dispatched Yoshiaki Unno to Perth to teach Yoseikan Aikido. He also taught Iaido, Kobudo and Karate. One of Yoshiaki Unno's early students was Branco Bratich. Branco (a 7th Dan), now under Teruo Sano's Yoseikan Ryu Karate International, had been responsible for the spread of Yoseikan Karate across Australia, starting with his first club in 1978.^[4]

[edit] Yoseikan Budo in Australia

Directly affiliated to the Yoseikan World Federation (YWF) and to the Australian Karate Federation, Karate is taught at this club utilising the principles of Yoseikan Budo. Founded in 1980 by Stephen Weir currently run by the YWF Australian representative Roy Hebden this club is currently based in Western Australia.^[5]