| KANCHO TAKEMASA OKUYAMA |
Kancho Takemasa OKUYAMA.
Considered a founding father of Karate in Canada, Takemasa Okuyama has been teaching and
practicing martial arts for over 35 years. Okuyama was born in Hachijojima Japan in 1944. He
began his martial arts training at the age of 7 studying Judo. He eventually achieved his 2nd
degree in Judo. At the age of 14 he began to study shotokan karate under the watchful eye of
Sensei Kinjo. Okuyama entered Takushoku University at the age of 18. Takushoku is well known
for it's strong martial arts program and the many karate masters who have studied there in
addition to its academics.
During his time at university he studied karate under Hamanaka, Tabata and Tsuyama. The
university had a reputation for a rigorous training schedule, considered brutal by some. He
graduated from university in 1966 with a degree in Political Science and Foreign Trading.
In 1967 Okuyama moved to the United States. He settled in Los Angeles and continued his karate
training under master Kubota. He soon achieved status as an instructor under the International
Karate Association (IKA), an organization founded by Kubota. In 1970 Okuyama immigrated to
Toronto, Canada to start his own dojo. Throughout the 70's and 80's he developed the IKA
organization in Canada while building his student base at his home dojo. During this period he
concentrated on coaching students for tournament competition. Several titles were achieved by
his students in national and international competitions. In 1986 Okuyama was designated a kata
judge by the World Union of Karate-Do (WUKO). He has also refereed in kumite as well.
Okuyama is currently an 8th dan black belt. He is the IKA chief instructor for Canada as well as
Greece, Ecuador, Chile, Israel, Russia and Croatia. He frequently travels around the world to
encourage membership in the IKA and give seminars. He recently released a book on his karate
philosophy and techniques called Ultimate Karate. Although karate is his life he relaxes by
indulging in oil painting, particularly Japanese calligraphy, and playing the Japanese flute.
Considered a founding father of Karate in Canada, Takemasa Okuyama has been teaching and
practicing martial arts for over 35 years. Okuyama was born in Hachijojima Japan in 1944. He
began his martial arts training at the age of 7 studying Judo. He eventually achieved his 2nd
degree in Judo. At the age of 14 he began to study shotokan karate under the watchful eye of
Sensei Kinjo. Okuyama entered Takushoku University at the age of 18. Takushoku is well known
for it's strong martial arts program and the many karate masters who have studied there in
addition to its academics.
During his time at university he studied karate under Hamanaka, Tabata and Tsuyama. The
university had a reputation for a rigorous training schedule, considered brutal by some. He
graduated from university in 1966 with a degree in Political Science and Foreign Trading.
In 1967 Okuyama moved to the United States. He settled in Los Angeles and continued his karate
training under master Kubota. He soon achieved status as an instructor under the International
Karate Association (IKA), an organization founded by Kubota. In 1970 Okuyama immigrated to
Toronto, Canada to start his own dojo. Throughout the 70's and 80's he developed the IKA
organization in Canada while building his student base at his home dojo. During this period he
concentrated on coaching students for tournament competition. Several titles were achieved by
his students in national and international competitions. In 1986 Okuyama was designated a kata
judge by the World Union of Karate-Do (WUKO). He has also refereed in kumite as well.
Okuyama is currently an 8th dan black belt. He is the IKA chief instructor for Canada as well as
Greece, Ecuador, Chile, Israel, Russia and Croatia. He frequently travels around the world to
encourage membership in the IKA and give seminars. He recently released a book on his karate
philosophy and techniques called Ultimate Karate. Although karate is his life he relaxes by
indulging in oil painting, particularly Japanese calligraphy, and playing the Japanese flute.
Kancho Takemasa Okuyama
&
Shihan Mario Ross
&
Shihan Mario Ross
Kancho Takemasa Okuyama, 8th dan
Yarmouth Lighthouse, NS.
1999
Yarmouth Lighthouse, NS.
1999
Kancho Takemasa Okuyama
&
Shihan Mario Ross
&
Shihan Mario Ross
SANDY ROSS & KANCHO OKUYAMA