SKIF Belgium
Shotokan Karate-do International Federation of Belgium
Member of Shotokan Karate-do International Federation - Tokyo - Japan
Member of Shotokan Karate-do International European Federation
Kanazawa Soke (10th dan black belt) was one of the world most renowned and respected traditional karate masters.
Hirokazu Kanazawa was born in 1931 in Iwate prefecture, Japan.
Although trained in Judo in his early years, Kanazawa Soke took up karate whilst at Takushoku University under the late headmaster of the Japan Karate Association, Masatoshi Nakayama Shihan.
Kanazawa Soke was also one of the few remaining karateka privileged to have studied under Gichin Funakoshi O Sensei, the famous Okinawan schoolteacher who brought karate from Okinawa island to mainland Japan. The founder of the “Shotokan” school of karate.
Hirokazu Kanazawa was also the first karateka to have won the notorious All Japan Championship.
In 1957 he became kumite champion while nursing a broken wrist. In 1958 he was kumite and kata champion.
Kanazawa Soke was a prominent instructor of the Japan Karate Association, but in 1978 he decided to establish the S.K.I.F. (Shotokan Karate-do International Federation).
SKIF is a governement recognized nonprofit organisation. Since 1978 SKIF has been expanding its activities and became a very big Shotokan Karate organization with branches in more than 130 countries.
Kanazawa Soke was also the author of numerous books spreading correct Shotokan Karate technique and philosophy all over the world.
At 83 years old, Mr. Kanazawa decided to retire from active teaching and travelling. Mr. Kanazawa held two 2 important positions in the SKIF federation.
- Kancho = top or head of the house/organisation (similar to president).
- Shuseki Shihan = chief instructor, top of the instructors.
During a special ceremony held in Tokyo, on the 5th of April 2014, Mr. Kanazawa assigned the position of Kancho to his oldest son Nobuaki Kanazawa and the position of Shiseku Shihan to Manabu Murakami.
Since this day, we refer to Mr. Hirokazu Kanazawa as “Soke”.
Soke, means “head of the family”.
In the realm of Japanese traditional arts, it is used synonymously with the term “iemoto” (= the head of a school). It is most commonly used as a highlevel Japanese title.
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Hirokazu Kanazawa
