My sensei, Hanshi M.A. Sharifi.

Taken at the old dojo of the Shotokan Karate Institute.

From left to right: Hanshi M.A. Sharifi, Sensei Michael Tabassi, and Master Hidetaka Nishiyama.

Sensei Tabassi first started training karate in Iran with Hanshi Sharifi (who is my sensei). Both my sensei and Sensei Tabassi earned their 7th dans from Master Nishiyama (may he rest in peace).

Made this video the other day. Compares Enoeda Sensei’s application of Kuzushi Waza to Lyoto Machida, in both a tournament and in the UFC. Enjoy in HD!! Oss

Interesting article on Frank Smith and politics of karate.

Black Belt Magazine, January 1984

I can send the pdf to anyone who is interested.

Rest in peace Master Hidetaka Nishiyama.

Lyoto and Chinzo Machida. I like the picture of Sensei Nishiyama in the background. My dojo has the same one.

Chinzo, Yoshizo, and Lyoto Machida

Teruyoshi Okazaki hitting a makiwara.

Teruyoshi is the brother of Shotokan master Teruyuki Okazaki, the founder of the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF).

Both brothers are direct students of Master Gichin Funakoshi.

Shotokan Master Keigo Abe at the memorial of Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate, pointing to the second of his twenty precepts (Niju Kun).

The precept reads: “Hitosu, Karate Ni Sente Nashi”.

This translates to: “There is no first strike in karate.”

(The word Hitotsu means “one” or “first” and precedes each rule, to place it at the same level of importance as the others.)

My sensei (Hanshi M.A. Sharifi) received his third dan from Sensei Abe.

Article by Master Hidetaka Nishiyama in Black Belt Magazine, August 1967

Shotokan Karate Master Hidetaka Nishiyama on the cover of Black Belt Magazine, December 1986

From the official JKA Examination Guide

Sensei Nishyama (pictured left) blocks Sensei Teruyuki Okazaki’s jodan kekomi, while preparing for a counter attack.

Fliers for a few of Hanshi Sharifi’s seminars.

The seminar with Master Nishiyama would have been his last at our dojo. It was unfortunately canceled, and he passed away on November 7th, 2008.