Sensei Yutaka Yaguchi

Sensei Yaguchi was Vice Chief Instructor and Chairman of Technical Committee of the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) and 9th dan (9th degree black belt). He was an advisor of ISKF. Also, he was Chief Instructor and Chairman, ISKF Mountain States Region. He had traveled extensively, teaching karate in many countries.

 

He was born in Hiroshima, Japan, in 1932 and began karate training in 1952. He later tested under masters Gichin Funakoshi for his 1st dan black belt and Masatoshi Nakayama for his 2nd through 8th dan black belts.

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As one of the members in the 2nd class of graduates enrolled in the Japan Karate Association (JKA) Instructors' Training Program (1959); he had played an important role in the growth of JKA karate and the internationalization of Shotokan karate.

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Sensei Yaguchi first arrived in the United States on June 5, 1965, and continues to reside in the US to the present day. In 1974, he founded ISKF of Colorado, the regional headquarters for the Mountain States Region.

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On December 17th, 2016, after over 60 years of Karate Instruction, he retired from his teaching and organizational duties. After the retirement, he was welcomed back to his original root in Japan Karate Association as a technical advisor. His training continued at his home until his passing on Octorver 26th, 2023. He was the one of the greatest senseis who were loved and remembered by everyone. We miss him so deeply in our hearts. Our fond memories will be with us forever. Respect. Osu.