Kanken Toyama: 1888-1966

 

Master Toyama was born in September, 1888 in Shuri, Okinawa. His first karate teacher was his father, but in 1897 began training with Master Itosu, whom he stayed with until Master Itosu’s death in 1915.

Master Toyama was one of only three men to have the privilege of studing directly under Master Itosu amd Master Higashionna (head of Naha-te) two of karate’s most important figureheads of that era.  Master Toyama also studied with Master Aragki (1840-1920) who was also one of the government official and bodyguards with Master Matsumura.  Master Aragki was a master of Monk fist and White Crane Kung Fu.  Master Toyama moved to Taiwan in 1924 where he trained in a number of Chinese arts.  He moved to Mainland Japan in 1930 were he open his dojo the Shudokan.  His Karate included the whole range of Naha-te and Shuri-te,but he taught most people Shuri-te as well as Kobudo (weapons).   In 1946 he was appointed the head of A.J.K.A. which was an attempt to unify Japanese and Okinawa Karate.  He also trained under Mr. Itarashiki, Mr. Azato, Mr. Chibana, Mr. Tana, Mr. Yabu, and Mr. Oshhiro Chojo, who taught him Kobudo.  A schoolteacher by trade he also author two books.  In 1955 he gave the name Kei Shin Kan to his student Masanao Takazawa for his school.

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US Branch of Japan Keishinkan Karate