Masami Tsuruoka
Encyclopedia
Masami Tsuruoka O.Ont (born 12 January 1929) is a Canadian born karate
instructor and practitioner recognized as "The Father of Canadian Karate" by Black Belt Magazine
. Although mainly responsible for establishing the Chito-ryu
style in Canada
, Tsuruoka is also known as founder of his own karate style known as Tsuruoka Ryu. Masami Tsuruoka kept Chito-ryu karate before the Canadian public from 1958 to 1968, through newspaper articles, magazine articles, and frequent public appearances, demonstrations and exhibitions across Canada. Tsuruoka formed the National Karate Association of Canada (presently called Karate Canada
) in 1964, followed by the Tsuruoka Karate-do Federation in 1979. Tsuruoka was appointed a member of the Order of Ontario
in 1998 for his significant contribution to martial arts
.
. The Tsuruoka family, as was standard with Japanese families living in Canada at that time, was placed in 'Internment Camps
' during World War II, first in Tashimi, B.C., and later at Roseberry
. In 1945, after the end of World War II, Tsuruoka moved with his father to Japan and at age seventeen began the study of Chito-ryu karate in Kumamoto, Japan
, under Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose. He received his first degree black belt
at age twenty, and after continuing his study and receiving his third degree black belt, moved back to Canada in 1956.
When Tsuruoka began studying with Chitose, karate was at the point where two eras crossed, the old ways of Okinawa and the new ways of post-war Japan. Tsuruoka was one of the first students of the group that was to reshape modern karate.
, in 1957 he also began teaching karate in a small gym on Danforth Avenue
in Toronto
. In 1958, he rented a larger space and established the first karate dojo in Canada.
In 1962 Tsuyoshi Chitose recognized Tsuruoka's accomplishments by appointing him as Chief Representative of Chito-ryu karate in Canada. In 1967 as part of his efforts to promote Chito-ryu karate in Canada, Tsuruoka invited Dr. Chitose, along with Mamoru Yamamoto, later noted as founder of Yoshukai Karate
, and some of his students including Mike Foster
, to Canada, where they conducted demonstrations, a clinic, and presided over the Canadian National Karate Association tournament. The event was held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre's Nisei Karate Club.
During the occupation of Japan, a number of American service personnel had trained at the Yoseikan Chito-ryu ‘’hombu dojo’’ (headquarters) in Kumamoto. In the early sixties Tsuruoka contacted these former students in an effort to expand the Chito-ryu karate organization in North America. One of the former students was Bill Dometrich of Kentucky
, who traveled to Canada to train with Tsuruoka. Dometrich was eventually appointed the Chief Representative of Chito-ryu karate in the United States.
In 1962 Tsuruoka organized the first karate tournament in Canada, "The First Canadian Karate Open Championship." In the same year he began teaching karate at the University of Toronto
, which became the first university karate club in Canada, and held the first summer camp called Kamp Kamikaze in northeastern Ontario
which was open to all styles of karate. In 1964 Tsuruoka founded the National Karate Association of Canada (NKA) and served as its first president. In 1967 the first inter-university karate tournament was held between Ontario universities, with the University of Toronto team winning the championship. As Chito-ryu became better established in Canada, Tsuruoka became sought after as an official for international tournaments and demonstrations. On November 16, 1973 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Pan-American Karate Union elected Masami Tsuruoka first Vice-President.
presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
, the Honourable Hilary Weston
. On May 13, 2006, Tsuruoka received his 10th-Dan
rank, awarded by the National Karate Association.
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
instructor and practitioner recognized as "The Father of Canadian Karate" by Black Belt Magazine
Black Belt Magazine
Black Belt is an American magazine covering martial arts and combat sports founded in 1961 by Mitoshi Uyehara. During the early years of the publication, Uyehara was a hands-on owner and publisher...
. Although mainly responsible for establishing the Chito-ryu
Chito-ryu
is a style of karate founded by , . The name of the style translates as: chi - 1,000; tō - China; ryū , "1,000 year old Chinese style." The character tō refers to the Tang Dynasty of China...
style in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Tsuruoka is also known as founder of his own karate style known as Tsuruoka Ryu. Masami Tsuruoka kept Chito-ryu karate before the Canadian public from 1958 to 1968, through newspaper articles, magazine articles, and frequent public appearances, demonstrations and exhibitions across Canada. Tsuruoka formed the National Karate Association of Canada (presently called Karate Canada
Karate Canada
Karate Canada is the national association representing the sport of karate in Canada. Formerly the National Karate Association of Canada, the organization was founded by Masami Tsuruoka.-History:...
) in 1964, followed by the Tsuruoka Karate-do Federation in 1979. Tsuruoka was appointed a member of the Order of Ontario
Order of Ontario
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
in 1998 for his significant contribution to martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
.
Early years
Mas Tsuruoka was born in Cumberland, British ColumbiaCumberland, British Columbia
Cumberland is a town in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.-History:The village was originally named Union, British Columbia after the Union Coal Company, which was in turn named in honour of the 1871 union of British Columbia with Canada. The town was renamed after...
. The Tsuruoka family, as was standard with Japanese families living in Canada at that time, was placed in 'Internment Camps
Japanese Canadian internment
Japanese Canadian internment refers to confinement of Japanese Canadians in British Columbia during World War II. The internment began in December 1941, following the attack by carrier-borne forces of Imperial Japan on American naval and army facilities at Pearl Harbor...
' during World War II, first in Tashimi, B.C., and later at Roseberry
Rosebery, British Columbia
Rosebery is an unincorporated community on the east side of Slocan Lake in the Slocan Valley of the West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Canada, located north of the Village of New Denver...
. In 1945, after the end of World War II, Tsuruoka moved with his father to Japan and at age seventeen began the study of Chito-ryu karate in Kumamoto, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, under Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose. He received his first degree black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
at age twenty, and after continuing his study and receiving his third degree black belt, moved back to Canada in 1956.
When Tsuruoka began studying with Chitose, karate was at the point where two eras crossed, the old ways of Okinawa and the new ways of post-war Japan. Tsuruoka was one of the first students of the group that was to reshape modern karate.
Canadian Chito-Ryu
Although Tsuruoka first began teaching judoJudo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, in 1957 he also began teaching karate in a small gym on Danforth Avenue
Danforth Avenue
Danforth Avenue is an east-west arterial road in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its western end begins in Old Toronto from the Prince Edward Viaduct as a continuation of Bloor Street and continues through East York until intersecting with Kingston Road in Scarborough...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. In 1958, he rented a larger space and established the first karate dojo in Canada.
In 1962 Tsuyoshi Chitose recognized Tsuruoka's accomplishments by appointing him as Chief Representative of Chito-ryu karate in Canada. In 1967 as part of his efforts to promote Chito-ryu karate in Canada, Tsuruoka invited Dr. Chitose, along with Mamoru Yamamoto, later noted as founder of Yoshukai Karate
Yoshukai Karate
karate is a branch discipline of the Japanese/Okinawan martial art, Karate-dō, or "Way of the Empty Hand."The three kanji that make up the word Yoshukai literally translated mean “Training Hall of Continued Improvement.” However, the standardized English translation is "Striving for Excellence."...
, and some of his students including Mike Foster
Michael G. Foster
Michael G. Foster is a U.S. karate pioneer, and the founder and head of Yoshukai International, a world-wide organization of Yoshukai Karate schools...
, to Canada, where they conducted demonstrations, a clinic, and presided over the Canadian National Karate Association tournament. The event was held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre's Nisei Karate Club.
During the occupation of Japan, a number of American service personnel had trained at the Yoseikan Chito-ryu ‘’hombu dojo’’ (headquarters) in Kumamoto. In the early sixties Tsuruoka contacted these former students in an effort to expand the Chito-ryu karate organization in North America. One of the former students was Bill Dometrich of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, who traveled to Canada to train with Tsuruoka. Dometrich was eventually appointed the Chief Representative of Chito-ryu karate in the United States.
In 1962 Tsuruoka organized the first karate tournament in Canada, "The First Canadian Karate Open Championship." In the same year he began teaching karate at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, which became the first university karate club in Canada, and held the first summer camp called Kamp Kamikaze in northeastern Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
which was open to all styles of karate. In 1964 Tsuruoka founded the National Karate Association of Canada (NKA) and served as its first president. In 1967 the first inter-university karate tournament was held between Ontario universities, with the University of Toronto team winning the championship. As Chito-ryu became better established in Canada, Tsuruoka became sought after as an official for international tournaments and demonstrations. On November 16, 1973 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Pan-American Karate Union elected Masami Tsuruoka first Vice-President.
Tsuruoka Karate-Do
In 1979, Masami Tsuruoka stepped down from his position as director of the Canadian Chito-kai, and with the help of his chief technical director, Ron Fagan, founded his own organization, the Tsuruoka Karate-do Federation. His former senior student, Shane Higashi, assumed leadership of the Canadian Chito-kai (Chito-ryu Karate Association). On Wednesday, May 27, 1998, Master Tsuruoka received the Order of OntarioOrder of Ontario
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario is the viceregal representative in Ontario of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the ten other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest realm, the United...
, the Honourable Hilary Weston
Hilary Weston
Hilary M. Weston , CM, O.Ont was the 26th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, serving from 1997 to 2002. During her five year tenure, Mrs...
. On May 13, 2006, Tsuruoka received his 10th-Dan
Dan (rank)
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
rank, awarded by the National Karate Association.
Further reading
- The Spirit of Karate-do, The Teachings of Masami Tsuruoka - Bowerbank Andrew - 1997 (ISBN 0-9682528-0-X)