Tadashi Yamashita
Master Yamashita Tadashi is one of the most well known instructors at an international level and he is considered to be an authority in traditional arts of Okinawa worldwide.
"Hanshi" Tadashi Yamashita has dedicated so far over 60 years of his life to the practice of Okinawan Karatedo and Kobudo. A highly respected man in all circles of martial arts, Yamashita-Sensei is sought after for karatedo and kobudo seminars from all over the world. He currently retains the rank of 10th degree black belt in Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karatedo and 10th degree black belt in Zen Okinawa Kobudo.
Sensei is also the President, Director and founder of the Yamashita International Budo Association which incorporates Yamashita Shorin-Ryu Karate, Yamashita-Matayoshi Kobudo and Sensei's Suikendo Fighting System.
Born in Japan in 1942. When Sensei was three years old, his father passed away. When he was 8 years old he moved with his mother to Okinawa. In 1953 he started his karatedo training with Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato of the Shorin-ryu Shorinkan, in Naha, Okinawa. At that same time he started training with Hanshi Shinpo Matayoshi of the Zen Okinawa Kobudo Renmei. He won his first dan at the age of 16.
In 1963 Sensei moved to Chicago, Illinois USA. He kept visiting Okinawa every year to continue his training with his karate and kobudo instructors.
In 1967 Sensei moved to Mishawaka, Indiana, and founded his first karate dojo. Two of his first students were Sensei James Ninios and Sensei Bud Shafer.
In 1968 Sensei performed in front of Chibana Chosen-Sensei and Shugoro Nakazato-Sensei for his 7th Dan. Aged 27 at that time, he became the youngest karateka in Japan's history to be awarded the 7th Dan.
In 1969 he became the head of the American Karate Association together with Sensei Ernie Lieb. In 1970 he became head of the Shorin-ryu Shorinkan in the United States under Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato.
In 1972 Sensei moved to California, where many top artists, such as Mike Stone and Ed Parker, noticed his talent and skill. This is when Sensei began his friendship with Elvis Presley and Bruce Lee.
During the 1973 Pro-Am Karate Tournament Sensei brought over 7,000 spectators to a standing ovation by demonstrating his mastery and skill of ancient kobudo weaponry.
In U.S A, there are over 60 traditional dojos under his supervision.
His popularity, his skills in karate and kobudo, as well as his personal style, Suikendo, gave him the chance to enter the world of show-business (Hollywood).
He participated in more than 25 movies, including: Thrillseekers, The Karate, The Blind Karate man, Karate 2, Enter the Dragon, Judge Dee, Golden Needlesss, Octagon, The Seven, The Magnificent Three, The Shinobi, Kung Fu, A Man Called Sloan, American Ninja etc.
Today, his only occupation is the instruction of his art according to the traditional values of Okinawa's Karate and its spread throughout the world.
Yamashita-Sensei is highly recognized as a leading authority in the martial arts. His accomplishments not only include his study with several notable high ranking masters such as Chibana-Sensei, Nakazato-Sensei and Matayoshi-Sensei. He is also well known for his explosive open hand techniques. Sensei combines many progressive fighting tactics with traditional aspects of karatedo, thus resulting in a devastating fighting system known as "Suikendo," which translates to "fist flowing like water". This non stopping flowing system of fighting allows the karateka to simultaneously block and strike his opponent with blinding speed and accuracy.
Sensei conducts annual martial art seminars around the world, sharing his philosophy.
Sensei's International Association spreads from the United States to Bulgaria, Greece, Israel, Netherlands and Russia. Sensei also keeps a close connection with his birthplace in Japan, often taking a delegation of his association to train on Okinawa.
Sensei's list of affiliated dojos in the United States includes the states of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia and Wisconsin.
