was a prominent Japanese master of Shotokai karate who introduced this martial art to Brazil and was after based in the United Kingdom. He founded the Karate-do Shotokai (KDS) organisation in 1965 and was its president. Harada held the rank of 5th dan, personally awarded by Gichin Funakoshi in 1956. He lived there until the age of 9 years, when his family returned to Tokyo. His first class was taught by Genshin Hironishi, then ranked 4th dan.

In 1948, Harada began studying economics and commerce at Waseda University. In 1949, the Japan Karate Association (JKA) was formed; Harada was often escorting Funakoshi by taxi around this time. Harada trained under both men, and they had a significant influence on his karate style. He has kept the same rank to this day, and 5th dan is still the highest rank attainable in his organisation (the KDS). In early November 1963, he taught a karate course at Abbe's dojo.

Harada has also taught at other overseas clubs that were developed including: Canada, Estonia, Finland, Gibraltar, Israel, Morocco, Poland, Spain, and the USA.

Later life

In October 1998, the Nihon Karate-do Shotokai invited Harada back to Tokyo to demonstrate his art as part of Shotokan karate's 60th anniversary celebration, and he and a selection of his top students did so.

Mitsuske Harada died on 26 February 2021 at his home in Cwmbran at the age of 92.

References

  • Karate-do Shotokai Website
  • @Karate-do Shotokai in Facebook
  • Karaté-do Shotokai Belgium Website

<!-- Goes above DEFAULTSORT/Categories -->