Hirokazu Kanazawa Books & DVDs

About

Hirokazu Kanazawa ( 金澤 弘和) (1931-2019) was one of the most influential karate masters of the modern era. Born in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, he began his martial arts journey studying judo before discovering karate at Takushoku University, where he trained under the legendary Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate. Kanazawa was renowned for his exceptional technical skill, winning the inaugural All Japan Karate Championship in 1957—remarkably while competing with a broken wrist. He repeated this achievement the following year, cementing his reputation as an extraordinary competitor. In 1960, Kanazawa became one of the first karate instructors sent abroad to spread Japanese karate internationally, teaching in Hawaii, the United Kingdom, and throughout Europe. In 1978, he founded the Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation (SKIF), which grew to include millions of practitioners across more than 130 countries. Beyond his competitive achievements, Kanazawa was revered for his lifelong dedication to karate's spiritual aspects. He held the rank of 10th dan, the highest level in Shotokan karate. His teaching emphasized that karate was not merely a fighting system but a path of personal development integrating mind, body, and spirit. Kanazawa authored several influential books on karate technique and philosophy, including "Karate: The Complete Kata" and "Black Belt Karate." He continued teaching well into his 80s, demonstrating remarkable physical ability and technical precision throughout his life. His legacy lives on through the countless students he influenced worldwide and through SKIF, which continues to promote his approach to karate.