Eiichi Miyazato

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Eiichi Miyazato bigraphy, stories - Martial artist

Eiichi Miyazato : biography

July 5, 1922 – December 11, 1999

Early life

Miyazato was born on July 5, 1922, in I-Chome, 13 Banchi, Higashi-machi, Naha, Okinawa, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. (c. 2000). Retrieved on February 24, 2010. Some sources indicate that Miyazato began training under Miyagi at the age of 13, (c. 2000). Retrieved on February 24, 2010. while others state that Miyazato first trained under his own father and only began training under Miyagi at the age of 15. (c. 2000). Retrieved on February 24, 2010. Miyazato’s father had been a student of Kanryo Higaonna, who had been Miyagi’s teacher, so Miyagi accepted the young Miyazato as his student. Except for an interrupted period due to World War II, Miyazato learned from Miyagi continuously until the death of the latter in 1953. Apart from his karate training, he also studied judo under Shoko Itokazu.

Later life

Miyazato received several awards for his contribution to the martial arts. In 1984, Miyazato received an official commendation from the Kodokan. In 1994, he was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service from the Nihon Budo Kyogikai and received an official commendation from the Okinawa Judo Federation. In 1998, he received an official commendation from the Japanese Ministry of Education.

Following a period of poor health, Miyazato died on December 11, 1999, in Naha Hospital. On his death, the Kodokan awarded him the rank of 8th dan in judo. Miyazato’s students included Riyosei Arakai, Shinzo Chinen, Teruo Chinen, Yoshio Hichiya, Morio Higaonna, Koshin Iha, Shinichi Iribe, Masanari Kikukawa, Seikichi Kinjo, Tetsu Gima, Tsuneo Kinjo, Atsumi Iida, Kenei Shimabukuro, Hiroshi Ganaha, Kazuya Higa, Hisao Sunagawa, Richard Barrett, Mike Clarke, Chuck Merriman, Nanko Minei, Keikichi Nakasone, Kenei Shiabuku, Masaji Taira, Koei Teruya, Ronald Yamanaka, and Tetsunosuke Yasuda. Miyazato’s dojo is now run by his son, Yoshihiro Miyazato.

Karate career

Miyazato joined the Ryukyu Police Department on Miyagi’s recommendation in 1946. He served as physical education instructor at the police academy,Hokama, T. (2005): 100 masters of Okinawan Karate (p. 82). Okinawa: Ozata Print. and assisted Miyagi (then an instructor at the academy), teaching karate and judo there. Upon Miyagi’s death in 1953, Miyazato inherited his teacher’s training equipment, and the family also passed on Miyazato’s gi (uniform) and obi (belt) to him. Miyazato took up the position of teaching at the ‘Garden dojo,’ which had been Miyagi’s dojo.

dojo

On March 20, 1988, the Okinawa Goju-ryu Karate-do Kyokai awarded him the rank of 10th dan in karate. Apart from his karate rank, Miyazato held the rank of 7th dan in judo from the Kodokan, and was President of the Okinawa Judo Federation.

Notes

a. Sources differ on the precise date of Miyazato’s death. Most state that it was December 11,Dwyer, M. (c. 2008): Retrieved on February 25, 2010; link has expired, as at October 31, 2010. (c. 2009). Retrieved on February 25, 2010. (c. 2000). Retrieved on February 25, 2010. (c. 2005). Retrieved on February 26, 2010. Retrieved on February 26, 2010. but others state that it was December 10 (c. 2005). Retrieved on February 25, 2010. (c. 2005). Retrieved on February 25, 2010. or December 13. (c. 2009). Retrieved on February 26, 2010.