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.

Early life

Mikami was born on December 10, 1933 in Niigata Prefecture, Japan.Louisiana Karate Association: Mikami Sensei
(November 7, 2008). Retrieved on March 1, 2010.Hrabec, M. (2009)

Retrieved on March 1, 2010.Habersetzer, G., & Habersetzer, R. (2004): ''Encyclopédie technique, historique, biographique et culturelle des arts martiaux de l'Extrême-Orient'' (p. 464) . Paris: Amphora. () As a youth, he participated in track and field sports, and was a short-distance runner. Around 1952, Mikami began training in Shotokan karate under instructor K. Itoe. In 1953, he was promoted to the rank of 1st ''dan''.Clary, D. W. (1991): "Instructor of the Year: Takayuki Mikami." ''Black Belt'', 29(8):62. In 1955, he was appointed Team Captain of the Hosei University karate club. He studied literature at the university, but spent most of his time training in karate.

In 1956, Mikami enrolled in the Japan Karate Association's (JKA) newly formed instructor training course under Nakayama. In 1957, Mikami graduated from the course and became a JKA instructor. There were only three students in the group; his classmates were Eiji Takaura and Hirokazu Kanazawa, who also graduated in 1957.

Japan

It was Nakayama's objective to spread the martial art of Shotokan karate around the world, so Mikami began to travel widely, teaching karate. In 1957, the JKA sent him to the Philippines to instruct in Far Eastern University in Manila. After nine months, he returned to Japan to train for and compete in the All Japan Championships.

In 1958, Mikami fought in one of the most celebrated matches in JKA tournament history.Takatsuno, S. (1986): "Takayuki Mikami: Shotokan's Little Big Man reveals techniques for the small fighter." ''Black Belt'', 24(6):46–49.Shotokan Karate-do International Federation of Belgium: Kanazawa Kancho
(2009). Retrieved on February 19, 2010. Mikami and Kanazawa had been classmates and roommates for most of their karate careers, but had never fought each other in the All Japan Championships before, as Mikami had been teaching in the Philippines. When they faced each other in the final round, very few techniques were thrown, because they knew each other too well. They ended up mostly circling each other, searching for openings, until time was up. It was decided that both instructors were All Japan Kumite Champions for 1958. This was the only time in history that a tie was declared for first place. The following year, Mikami won first in both ''kata'' and ''kumite''. In 1961, he became ''kata'' champion again.

United States

In 1963, the JKA sent Mikami to the United States. Initially, he taught at a '' dojo'' (training hall) in Kansas for 14 months, but then decided to start a new ''dojo'' in Louisiana: the Louisiana Karate Association (LKA) in New Orleans. In 1965, Mikami made the LKA the headquarters for the All South Karate Federation, which functioned under the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF), a division of JKA. He has remained there as a teacher and regional director ever since. By 1967, Mikami had reached the rank of 5th ''dan'' and his wife was ranked 2nd ''dan''.Slovenko, R., & Knight, J. A. (Eds.) (1967): ''Motivations in play, games and sports'' (p. 537). Springfield, IL: Charles Thomas. In 1984, he was promoted to the rank of 8th ''dan'' by the JKA.

In 1990, Mikami was named Instructor of the Year in American Karate by '' Black Belt'' magazine. In 2005, he was elected President of the Japanese Karate Masters' Association of North America.Japan Karate Association, American Federation: Founder
Retrieved on April 16, 2010.
(''c.'' 2008). Retrieved on April 16, 2010. In 2007, after the ISKF split from JKA, Mikami decided to remain in association with the JKA. That same year, he was appointed to the JKA International Board of Directors. In March 2008, he was named as one of two Senior Technical Advisors to the JKA World Federation Headquarters, Tokyo, by the JKA Board of Directors.
(March 8, 2008). Retrieved on April 16, 2010. Mikami founded the JKA American Federation (JKA/AF) in 2008.Japan Karate Association, American Federation
(2008). Retrieved on April 16, 2010. Mikami was promoted to 9th ''dan'' on September 30, 2011, by JKA headquarters in Tokyo.JKA/AF Member Site: Mikami Sensei achieves 9th Dan
(October 2, 2011). Retrieved on October 2, 2011.

See also

* List of Shotokan organizations

References

External links

Louisiana Karate Association

JKA American Federation

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mikami, Takayuki
Living people
1933 births
Japanese emigrants to the United States
Japanese male karateka
Karate coaches
Sportspeople from New Orleans
Sportspeople from Niigata Prefecture
Shotokan practitioners