Soke Yoshimi Inoue
“Kumite through Kata…” - upon hearing those words one might wonder what Soke Yoshimi Inoue means by that. Connecting Kihon, Kata and Kumite is something of a lost secret that most Karate masters have either forgotten or have never known. Not only does he know it but can also teach and show you how to do it, leaving everyone in awe as he smoothly shifts through stances and applies his techniques.
That is Soke Yoshimi Inoue, founder of Japan Karatedo Inoue-Ha Shito Ryu Keishin Kai.
Text by Shidoin Ricardo Cruz - 4th Dan Inoue-Ha Brazil Technical Director based on an informal interview conducted with the Grandmaster during his stay in Florianópolis - Brazil in April 2008.
Yoshimi Inoue was born in 1946 in Tottori, Japan. He dabbled in other sports such as Judo and baseball at an earlier age. At that time, Karatedo was not very popular in Japan. In movies, Karate was usually portrayed in matches against Judo, and Judo always won. But even so, at 15 years old he bought a book and started teaching himself Karatedo. After some time, the Tottori University Karate Club got stronger, and Karatedo more popular. As soon as he finished high school, Inoue went to Osaka in order to look for the teacher he had read about in his Karate book, Teruo Hayashi. Inoue asked to be his student for about 6 months and was finally accepted as his Uchideshi. He stayed there for 4 years living with Soke Hayashi and looking after his dojo.
Soke Inoue had to go back to Tottori then, as his father had gotten sick. In order to help his family financially, Inoue got a day job and at the same time, opened a Hayashi-Ha Shito Ryu Kai branch in Tottori. His classes were tough, since Soke Inoue believes that only hard practice provides results.
One of his most prominent students, 3-time World Kata Champion Mie Nakayama, started training at his dojo with one of his assistant instructors at 18 years old. He pointed out to Sohe that she was talented and after 2 months of training, Inoue took her to the Hayashi-Ha All Japan Karatedo Championships. She participated in the kyu rank category. Within 48 competitors, being the last one to perform her Pinan Nidan Kata, she was the winner. After that, the first thing Soke did was asking Nakayama’s father’s permission to install a Makiwara at her house, which she began to use every day. Nakayama accompanied Inoue in his 1000-abs-a-day routine and 2 hours of Ido Kihon. According to Soke, Nakayama developed very good “Karate muscles”. As he says, “Cry in the dojo, smile in competition”. She also competed in Kumite. In her first fight, she knocked out her opponent with a Chudan Mae Geri, which incurred a Hansoku upon her. Although she was disqualified, Soke says he got happy, since his teachings were really working. In 2 years, Nakayama was JKF All Japan Champion.
Mie Nakayama Sensei demonstrating her trademark Kata Niipaipo
And the rest is history…
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Sri Lanka Karate Do
Sri Lanka Honbu dojo headquarters,
Sensei S.Sudath Rohan De Silva
No 70/2 Narampola Dekatana
Sri Lanka.
T.P: - 0094+778 068877
E-mail: - mastersudath@gmail.com
Dear Soke Inou
Request to Obtain International Representation Membership.
OSU!Today I like to submit my proposal to you.
I am undersigned Sudath Rohan De Silva an Instructor in Sri Lanka as Shitoryu Karate Do Style, Black Belt Holder. I like to change my style Shitoryu to your style Karate Do style and like to have a Sri Lanka Representative cum Chief Instructor.
I was an Instructor in Sri Lanka Branch of Samurai Karate International Shukokai Japan. I have resigned my self in the year 2002 at present I am handing in training more than 200 students in Colombo.
I have won the Provincial National and all island Karate do championship several years I have won the annual championship at Shukokai Sri Lanka branch.
I attended the 5th Asian Karate do championship in Hong Kong (Macau) as well as I a player at national Karate Pool in Sri Lanka.
I have worked hard for Karate do style in Sri Lanka. Further I have worked hard to make provincial national and all Island Karate championship.
I resigned my self from Samurai Karate International Shukokai Association in year 2002. I have struggled a lot my self to gain this position.
I would be much appreciated if you could me an International member to represent Sri Lanka in you “ Karate Do Style” in performance. I would like to develop the same here in Sri Lanka.
Due to this factor we removed from international membership and I was temporary removed from Sri Lanka karate Association membership too. As a result, in this year I my self and my member athletes could not represent the national championship. This was a draw back of my younger athletes how is having well talent and good future. They question out of me and I am thoroughly disappointed in this regards.
As a hole, I Produced lot of regional and National level athletes to the country. By considering our members and my self, I humbly request you to provide the international membership to our association. If you can visit our country at least one time it is greatly appreciated. Please let us know the arrangements and facilities you may require for this purpose.
Dear Sensei, Please inform me at the earliest as to how could be a Local representative in behalf of your reputed Karate Do style.
Hoping to get my self as an international member in your Karate Do style of Martial arts.
OSU!
Due Respect
Yours Sincerely
S. Sudath Rohan De Silva.
Sri Lanka.
Dear Soke Inoue Yoshimi,
I have the pleasure to inform you that our style in India is now a member of NKF in India i.e. AIKF ( Member WKF ).Things are going on well as planned.
I am planning to visit Totori this year after confirming your availability.
Soon I am planning to invite you to India.
Best regards,
Harichandan
President
ISK India