Shoko Sato, Sensei
President of the Pan-American Shitoryu Karate-Do Federation
Sensei Shoko Sato (Hanshi) was born in 1945 in Miyagi, Japan. He graduated from Toyo University and for a while worked as an economist. In his youth, he was a Kumite expert. He was a Member and captain of the Karate Team at Toyo University. Toyo University was able to maintain its reputation as a Karate powerhouse in Japan for decades thanks to the discipline of athletes like Sensei Shoko Sato.
Until 1939 the Karate program at Toyo University was taught by famous practitioner, Motobu Choki, and after that by the style Founder, Kenwa Mabuni. Sensei Sato’s teacher, Manzo Iwata, was his student. He was the first president of the World Shito-Ryu Karate-do Federation, first president of All Japan Karate Federation – Shito, and, importantly, he was an exceptional martial artist.
Arriving to Venezuela from Japan in the late 1960’s, Shoko Sato was called upon to spread legitimate Shitoryu Karate-Do. And so he did, with generosity, making it available to all people (i.e. Dojo Shoko Sato was the first in Venezuela to develop a karate program for children). Through his tireless efforts, he helped lift Venezuelan karate to international standards—both in terms of BUDO practice and sports achievement. Venezuela has witnessed a high level of performance in KATA and has been able to stand tall vis-a-vis top countries in KATA competition around the world. Shoko Sato is dubbed ‘father of Venezuelan karate’.
The invaluable contribution of Sensei Shoko Sato is evidenced in elite Venezuelan athletes who have experienced first hand the benefits of his teaching: Eduardo Velazco (5th place, World Games 1985); Johanna Sanchez (WKF Champion 2010); and Antonio Diaz (WKF Champion 2010 and 2012). These are three internationally relevant examples of Shitoryu in the sports world. Many students from Dojo Shoko Sato, both women and men, have stayed practicing for decades, and continue to be inspired, beyond their own training, to act as engines in the promotion of the practice of Karate-Do.
Shoko Sato Sensei accomplished enormous reach of presence throughout Venezuela. This is evidenced beautifully in the 30+ year-running annual GASSHUKU (training camp), which was first technically led by Shoko Sato Sensei in 1981. With the selfless leadership of one of his loyal students, Sensei Eduardo Riveros, this event now attracts international figures and offers a fruitful Shitoryu learning ground for all attendees. It is the event of most tradition and prestige of its kind in the American continent.
Shoko Sato Sensei honoured his teacher, Sensei Manzo Iwata, in life. He was able to invite Sensei Manzo Iwata to Venezuela many times. In 1987, he invited Sensei Iwata to attend the annual Shoko Sato Cup. This was 20 years after Shoko Sato Sensei’s arrival to Venezuela. During this event, Sato Sensei gave a public demonstration as part of his exam for 7th Dan. Sensei Sandra was only 16 years of age then, but was able to compete at the event where Shoko Sato Sensei performed for his teacher, his students, and the students of his students. It was a momentous occasion…700 of Shoko Sato Sensei’s people were able to witness his reach, and the brave showcase of Shoko Sato’s discipline, fitness, technical ability and undivided commitment to our RYU-HA: Shitoryu.
OKUKAN’s spirit strives to become Shoko Sato Sensei’s derivative. As a pioneer and a symbol of Japanese Karate, Sensei Shoko Sato’s teaching has influenced and continues to drive numerous karate practitioners, athletes, teachers and leaders of our generation.
Hanshi Shoko Sato has been the President of the Pan-American Shitoryu Karate-Do Federation since 1993, he is a Vice-President of World Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Federation and resides in the USA.
Genzo Iwata, Sensei
President of the World Shitoryu Karate Federation
Genzo Iwata Sensei (Kaicho) was born in 1958 in Saitama-Japan. He became a practitioner in the art of Shitoryu under the guidance of his illustrious father, Sensei Manzo Iwata.
His father was the second son of a family of tea makers in Tokyo and graduated from Toyo University in Literature. The very student of Shitoryu Founder, Kenwa Mabuni, Sensei Manzo Iwata became the representative of Shitoryu in 1964, alongside Second Soke Kenei Mabuni, when the 1st Japan Karate Federation was established. He was also Head of Delegation for the Japanese team at the first World Championships in 1970 (WUKO). This was two years after his Kata demonstration at the 19th Olympic Commemoration Invitational World Karate Championship held in Los Angeles-USA (1968). At this event demonstrations were also given by representatives of other styles, Hironori Ohtsuka (Wado) and Masatoshi Nakayama (Shoto).
Sensei Genzo Iwata has continued the practice and promotion of Karate Shitoryu by providing and supporting learning opportunities for practitioners from abroad and in Japan. He was the Head of Shitoryu Honbu Dojo for 10 consecutive years and has co-created an extensive array of official publications to help guide Shitoryu worldwide (material readily available in both print and digital formats). He is an outstanding practitioner, a highly sought after Technical Advisor for all things Shitoryu and the President of the World Shitoryu Karate Federation. Sensei Genzo Iwata lives in Japan.
