19 Facts About Masatoshi Nakayama

Masatoshi Nakayama helped establish the Japan Karate Association in 1949, and wrote many textbooks on karate, which served to popularize his martial art.

Masatoshi Nakayama was the first master in Shotokan history to attain the rank of 9th dan while alive, and was posthumously awarded the rank of 10th dan.

Masatoshi Nakayama was born on April 13,1913, in the Yamaguchi prefecture of Japan.

Masatoshi Nakayama was descended from the Sanada clan, who were known as kenjutsu instructors, from the Nagano region.

Masatoshi Nakayama's grandfather was Naomichi Masatoshi Nakayama, a surgeon in Tokyo, who had been the last of the family to teach kenjutsu.

Masatoshi Nakayama's father was Naomichi Masatoshi Nakayama, an army physician and a judoka.

Masatoshi Nakayama's father was assigned to Taipei, so Nakayama spent some of his formative years there.

Masatoshi Nakayama entered Takushoku University in 1932 to study Chinese language, and began learning karate under Gichin Funakoshi and his son Yoshitaka.

Masatoshi Nakayama returned to Japan in May 1946, after the war.

Funakoshi was the formal head of the organization, with Masatoshi Nakayama appointed as Chief Instructor as he was the only one without a job and they needed someone to open and close the dojo during the day.

In 1961, Masatoshi Nakayama was promoted to 8th dan, in part made possible by the consensus-based system of higher dan promotion in Japan at the time, according to Pat Zalewski.

Masatoshi Nakayama established kata and kumite as tournament disciplines.

Masatoshi Nakayama is widely known for having worked to spread Shotokan karate throughout the world.

Masatoshi Nakayama held positions in the Physical Education department of Takushoku University, beginning in 1952, and eventually becoming head of that department.

Masatoshi Nakayama was promoted to 9th dan in the 1980s, becoming the first Shotokan master to be awarded this rank while still living.

Masatoshi Nakayama continued teaching Shotokan karate until his death on April 15,1987, in Tokyo, Japan.

Masatoshi Nakayama wrote many books on karate, including the 11-volume Best Karate series.

Masatoshi Nakayama's books include: Practical Karate: A guide to everyman's self-defense, Practical Karate: Defense against an unarmed assailant, Best Karate: Comprehensive, and Dynamic Karate.

All sources agree that Masatoshi Nakayama was born in April 1913 and died in April 1987.