Tadashi Yamashita
| Tadashi Yamashita | |
|---|---|
| Born |
February 5, 1942 Japan |
| Residence | Los Angeles, United States |
| Nationality | United States |
| Style |
Kobayashi Shōrin-ryū Karate Matayoshi Kobudo |
| Teacher(s) | Shuguro Nakazato, Shinpo Matayoshi |
| Rank |
10th degree black belt in Kobayashi Shōrin-ryū Karate 10th degree black belt in Matayoshi Kobudo |
| Notable students | David Hayes |
| Website | http://www.tadashiyamashita.com/ |
Tadashi Yamashita (山下正 Yamashita Tadashi) (born 1942 in Japan) is a Japanese American martial arts instructor and actor.
Biography
Tadashi Yamashita was born in Japan in 1942 but he considers himself an Okinawan. His father died when he was three and his mother moved to Okinawa when Tadashi was eight years old. He began martial arts at 11. Yamashita was awarded his black belt in 1960. He captured the All-Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Free Sparring Grand Championship Title. He visited Japan in 1968 and tested before Shugoro Nakazato and Chosin Chibana. He lived in Okinawa until in 1972 he came to the USA where he became a citizen.
Yamashita has dedicated over 40 years of his life to the practice of Okinawan Karatedo and Kobudo. He has ninth degree dan in both karatedo and kobudo. Yamashita is the President and Director of US Shorin-Ryu Karate Association, the USA President of the Zen Okinawan Kobudo Association and Head Instructor of Shorin Ryu in the United States.
Yamashita has traveled to South America, Greece and Bulgaria. Yamashita comes to Hampton Roads, VA annually. Bateman and his students work out with him on these occasions. Yamashita keeps a close connection with his birthplace of Japan and Okinawa. He has studied under Chibana Chosin of Shorin Ryu, Shuguro Nakazato of Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan and Shinpo Matayoshi, founder of the Zen Okinawan Kobudo Renmei.
Yamashita combines many progressive fighting tactics with traditional aspects of karatedo. Yamashita's system (known as Suikendo) translates to fist flowing like water. This system of fighting allows the karateka to simultaneously block and strike his opponent.
Yamashita is also a world renowned weapons master. During the 1973 Pro-Am Karate Tournament, Yamashita brought over 7,000 spectators to their feet in a standing ovation after demonstrating his mastery of kobudo weaponry.
Yamashita has made many movies over the past 20 years. His first was The Karate in 1973. Yamashita's media credits are:
Movie credits: The Karate, The Blind Karate Man, Karate II, The Octagon, American Ninja, American Ninja 5, Rising Sun, Gymkata, Capital Punishment, Bronson Lee Champion, The Shinobi Ninja, Enter the Dragon, Judge Dee, Golden Needles, The Seven, The Magnificent Three and Lethal Weapon 4.
Television appearances: Kung Fu, A Man Called Sloan, Knight Rider, Thrillseekers, ESPN Karate Demonstrations and several Pay Per View Events.
In 2010, Yamashita performed at the Koyamada Foundation's United States Martial Arts Festival at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center in Redondo Beach, California in 2010.[1]
References
External links
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