Tsutomu Ohshima is the founder of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA). He was Shihan (Chief Instructor) of SKA, Canada Shotokan Karate (CSK), and many other international Shotokan organizations until August 2018, when at the age of 88, he appointed his successors in each of the organizations. Mr. Ohshima’s branch of the Shotokan world has become known as Shotokan Ohshima Dojo.
Mr. Ohshima was born on August 6, 1930, and by the age of five had already entered the disciplined and rigorous world of Japanese martial arts. Practicing daily, he pursued sumo wrestling from the age of five until he was fifteen; kendo (Japanese sword fighting) from the ages of eight to fifteen, and judo from the ages of nine to thirteen.
Mr. Ohshima’s distinguished association with Shotokan karate began at Waseda University, beginning in 1948. While he was there he trained directly under the style’s founder, Master Funakoshi, until 1953. His training was also influenced by his leading seniors, who were, in order of seniority:
- Hiroshi Noguchi, First Waseda Captain
- Shigeru Egami
- Toshio Kamata-Watanabe
- Tadao Okuyama
- Matsuo Shibuya
Kamata-Watanabe has honored Mr. Ohshima and Canada Shotokan Karate by visiting Canada to observe and instruct our members.
At the All-Japan Sandan Promotional in 1952 Master Funakoshi personally awarded Mr. Ohshima his sandan (third degree black belt) rank, while honouring him with the highest score of any participant. Also in 1952 he became the Captain of the Waseda University Karate Club, working with Master Funakoshi. In 1957 Mr. Ohshima also received his godan (fifth degree black belt) rank from Master Funakoshi, the highest rank awarded by Master Funakoshi and still the highest rank achievable in CSK.
It was also during 1952 that Mr. Ohshima innovated the judging system still used in modern day tournaments. However, for students wishing to participate, he cautions that tournaments should not be viewed as an expression of true karate itself.
Mr. Ohshima left Japan in 1955 to continue his studies at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where, in January 1956, he led his first U.S. practice. The first university karate club in the United States was founded by Mr. Ohshima, at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA, in 1957. In 1959 the Southern California Karate Association (SCKA) was founded, and for the next ten years the reputation and membership of the SCKA continued to grow. Many new dojos were started by Mr. Ohshima’s black belt instructors in California and across the nation. Thus the organization was renamed Shotokan Karate of America in 1969.
In 1972 Ohshima Sensei invited Mr. Norman Welch and Mr. Gene Malec to form Canada Shotokan Karate with 3 dojos: UBC in Vancouver, Westmount YMCA in Montreal and Sept-Iles in Upper Quebec. Ohshima Sensei appointed Mr. Welch the President of Canada Shotokan, Mr. Malec the Vice-President and Mr. Quessy the Treasurer.
