Dr. Masayoshi (Kori) Hisataka (1907-1988)
Founder of the Kenkokan School of Karatedo. Kaiso Masayoshi Kori Hisataka (or pronounced Seiki Kudaka in Okinawan) was born in Shuri (Naha City in Okinawa) on April 22nd, 1907, and was a descendant of Seiwa, the 56th Emperor of Japan. He studied Jiu Jutsu and studied with and exchanged with many of the great Karate masters of the time: Master Anko Azato, Master Kanryo Higaonna, Master Sanda Kanagusuku, Master Ryosei Kuwae but mostly under Master Chojun Kyamu of Okinawa Karate. He entered the military learning army training, bayonet handling, and furthered his knowledge of combat. In 1929, he toured Taiwan with Master Chojun Kyamu and Master Ryosei Kuwae for about one year and was undefeated against the local Kempo practitioners. Upon returning to Japan he studied Judo at the Kodokan with Master Sanpo Toku and achieved 4th Degree Black Belt within a year of training. He studied Kendo (the Japanese version of sword fencing) and competed at every Police Department competition. During World War II, he was sent to Manchuria and assigned as a station master along the railway at Bakudashu, Sarachi, and Cho Kakko. When possible he would practice Karatedo and Judo training, and studied Chinese martial arts with a master of Hakkyoku Kempo. After World War II he returned to Japan to find that the Japanese people were demoralized by the war so he placed a greater emphasis on spiritual development of the individual through karatedo training. He founded the first Kenkokan Karate dojo in Oshima Park, Hamada village, in Kumamoto prefecture, Kyushu in 1945. He named this karatedo style based on the influences of Okinawan Karate (tode) , Chinese Shorinji kempo, Ryukyu Kudaka jima Shishiryu bo jutsu, and Kudakaryu Karate jutsu along with Hakkyoku Ken and Shoalin Long Fist. He also made some innovations to Karatedo training including:
- Use of the heel when kicking
- Whole body is put into action when executing a technique
- Using a follow through motion
- Use of the vertical fist (tate ken)
- Practice of yakusoku kumite
- Use of protective equipment (Anzen Bogu) to allow full power techniques
- Practice of weapons (buki ho)
Kaiso Masayoshi Kori Hisataka passed away in Tokyo Japan on April 14,1988. Kaiso Masayoshi Hisataka was also a close personal friend of Shinan Chojun Miyagi of The Goju-ryu School of Karatedo and was a training partner of Mochizuki Sensei, a highly ranked practitioner of Aikido and Judo who studied under the founders of both systems, notably Morihei Ueshiba (Aikido) and Jigoro Kano (Judo). Presently, his son Shihan Masayuki Hisataka, 9th Dan is head of The Kenkokan School of Karatedo.
The Hombu Dojo of Kenkokan Karatedo in Japan
