Masatoshi Nakayama was an internationally famous Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He helped establish the Japan Karate Association (JKA) in 1949, and wrote many textbooks on karate, which served to popularize his martial art. For almost 40 years, until his death in 1987, Nakayama worked to spread Shotokan karate around the world. He was the first master in Shotokan history to attain the rank of 9th dan while alive, and was posthumously awarded the rank of 10th dan.
Hirokazu Kanazawa was a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He was the Chief instructor and President of the Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation, an organisation he founded after he left the Japan Karate Association (JKA). Kanazawa was ranked 10th dan in Shotokan Karate.
Takayuki Mikami is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate based in the United States of America. He holds the rank of 9th dan black belt in the art, awarded under the Japan Karate Association. In 1958, Mikami tied for first place in the All Japan Karate Championships. The following year, he became the All Japan champion in kumite (sparring) as well as kata (patterns). In 1961, Mikami won first place in kata again. He was also the first person to graduate from the Japan Karate Association's (JKA) instructor training program instituted by Gichin Funakoshi and Masatoshi Nakayama.
Tatsuya Naka is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He is a full-time instructor of the Japan Karate Association. He holds a 7th dan from JKA. He has also starred in films such as Kuro Obi, High Kick Girl! and Karate Girl.
Masaaki Ueki is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate.
Hideo Ochi is a Japanese master of karate. He is ranked 9th Dan, and is a former Japan Karate Association (JKA) World Champion in kumite (sparring) and kata (patterns). He was also coach of the German national team and Chief Instructor for JKA Europe. In 1997, he received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Masahiko Tanaka is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He won the first of his two IAKF world championship Kumite titles in 1975, was part of the Japan team to win the team Kumite title in the third IAKF world championship and was twice JKA All-Japan kumite champion. He became the national coach of Denmark in 1975 and in 1978 returned to Japan, where he currently manages the international affairs of the JKA.
Yoshiharu Osaka is a Japanese instructor of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA's version of the world championships for kata on four occasions. He has also won the JKA All-Japan championships for kata on six occasions and for kumite on two occasions.
Takenori Imura is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA's version of the world championships for kata on 2 occasions. He has also won the JKA All-Japan championships for kata on 5 occasions. He is currently an instructor of the Japan Karate Association.
Yasunori Ogura is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA All-Japan championships for kumite. He is currently the Acting Executive Director of the Japan Karate Association.
Tomio Imamura is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA's version of the world championships for kumite on 2 occasions. He has also won the JKA All-Japan championships for kumite on 2 occasions. He is currently an instructor of the Japan Karate Association.
Katsutoshi Shiina is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA's version of the world championships for kata. He has also won the JKA All-Japan championships for kata on 2 occasions and for kumite on 3 occasions. He is currently an instructor of the Japan Karate Association.
Seizo Izumiya is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA All-Japan championships for kata. He is currently an instructor of the Japan Karate Association.
Takuya Taniyama is a Japanese instructor of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA's version of the world championships for kata. He has also won the JKA All-Japan championships for kata on four occasions, and for kumite on five occasions. He is currently an instructor with the Japan Karate Association.
Kunio Kobayashi is a Japanese instructor of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA All-Japan championships for kata on 2 occasions and for kumite on 3 occasions. He is currently an instructor of the Japan Karate Association.
Koji Ogata is a Japanese instructor of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA's version of the world championships for kumite on 2 occasions. He has also won the JKA All-Japan championships for kumite on 2 occasions. He is currently an instructor of the Japan Karate Association.
Keisuke Nemoto is a Japanese instructor of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA All-Japan championships for kumite. He is currently an instructor of the Japan Karate Association.
Kazuaki Kurihara is a Japanese instructor of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA's version of the world championships for kata on 2 occasions. He has also won the JKA All-Japan championships for kata on 7 occasions and once for kumite. He is currently an instructor of the Japan Karate Association.
Ryosuke Shimizu is a Japanese instructor of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA All-Japan championships for kumite on 2 occasions. He is currently an instructor of the Japan Karate Association.
Mikio Yahara is a Japanese karate expert of the Shotokan style. He holds the rank of 10th dan.
