 Manzo
Iwata (1924-1993)
Manzo Iwata(1924 - 1993) was born in Tokyo, Japan , February 9,
1924. At the early age of 10, Manzo Iwata was first introduced to
the Martial Art of Shito-ryu Karate by the manager of his families
tea business (Iwata-en Tea Co.). While attending Jr. High School
he also learned Judo and Kendo. A good friend of Manzo's grandfather,
Ueshiba Morihei, the founder of Aikido, would teach Manzo when he
would frequently stop by to visit. While enrolled at Toyo University
in Tokyo, in 1941, at the approximate age of 18, Manzo Iwata began
training in Karate-do directly under the guidance of Grandmaster Kenwa
Mabuni, the founder of Shito-ryu Karate-do.
In the next few years, very little information was ever documented
regarding the specific type of training being conducted at the time,
but what is known through reliable sources indicates Manzo Iwata
became a very proficient and skillfull fighter who developed tremendously
strong and powerful arms.Besides being tough and possessing superior
fighting ability, he also demonstrated a unique capacity for completely
understanding the full essence of Grandmaster Mabuni's Shito-ryu
system.
Manzo Iwata received instruction in Kobudo Bojutsu (6ft. staff
techniques) from Master Mabuni as well. It was during this time
Master Mabuni felt Manzo Iwata would be suited more to the shorter
staff-art of Jojutsu and encouraged him to seek instruction from
Master Seiko Fujita, a longtime friend of Master Mabuni's from the
early 1930's.
Master Fujita was considered by many to be a very mysterious martial
artist. Master Mabuni was noted for being a very open-minded person
that enjoyed the respect and close relationships with various masters
of different martial arts. He was acutely aware of each systems
short-cummings, but always looked for the positive aspects in each
art. Mabuni sensei included many of these positive aspects in the
development and teaching of his Shito-ryu Karate especially in the
Gyaku-waza (reverse techniques), and Nage-waza (throwing techniques).
In 1943, Manzo Iwata was honored by receiving the 'Shihan' (master/teacher)
diploma of DAIENRYU JOJUTSU from Master Fujita, who later revealed
to Manzo Iwata that he was actually the 14th generation Master of
the KOGARYU NINJITSU system of martial arts.
After graduating from Toyo University in 1944, Manzo Iwata received
the 'Shihan' of Shito-ryu Karate-do directly from Master Kenwa Mabuni.
A short time later, Master Mabuni requested Iwata Shihan to become
'Zenkuren-President' of Shito-Kai Karate-do Kanto District and establish
a headquarters in the Tokyo area. He accepted the request and eventually
established the headquarters at his home. Master Mabuni previously
had moved to the Kansai District city of Osaka years before and
established the western headquarters there.
Manzo Iwata Shihan felt it wasn't necessary for anyone to watch
him personally train because he believed this training was for self-development
and not an open demonstration of his considerable abilities. He
learned long ago from Master Mabuni the fundamental basics of Shito-ryu
Karate lie in the simple, practical and logical approach to self-defence.
This he pointed out was clearly demonstrated in the explanation
of techniques that incorporate the proper concentration of power
(both strong and weak) combined with the correct attitude. During
the next few years Iwata Shihan also continued his training as 'UCHI-DESHI'
(principal disciple) with Master Fujita, and in 1948, was personally
directed to accept all the hereditary knowledge and assume the leadership
of NANBAN SATORYU KENPO, (a Jujutsu-like grappling combat system)
including, SHINGETSU-RYU SHURIKEN JUTSU (throwing-projectile art).
He received his Shihan diploma from Master Fujita and accepted the
position of 'SOKE'. The term 'Soke' is a peculiar form of Japanese
culture which refers to a position of honor or title of honor conferred
on the first born son, or a specially selected person to accept
all the hereditary knowledge and traditions associated with that
particular system which was handed down continually from one generation
to the next.
 |
After the unexpected death of Grandmaster Kenwa Mabuni on May 23,
1952, Kenei
Mabuni (the first born son) was appointed as the second 'Soke'
of Shito-ryu Karate-do and maintained the Kansai headquarters in
Osaka, while Master Manzo Iwata was Kanto Districtl President of
the Nihon Karate-do Kai Shito-ryu sytem in November of 1960.
Special events and competitions were held separately the next few
years by both headquarters until April 1964, when the first joint
All-Japan Shito-ryu Karate-do Championships was held.
In October 1964, the formation of the FEDERATION OF ALL-JAPAN KARATE-DO
ORGANIZATIONS (F.A.J.K.O.) was also due in large part to the tremendous
efforts of Master Iwata, who became the youngest Shihan of any Karate-do
system to be elevated to the level of 8th Dan by F.A.J.K.O.
In 1972, Manzo Iwata was involved in a motor vehicle accident and
was in a coma for approximately 2 months. His strong will and superior
Karate ability is credited with bringing him out of the coma.
Over the years a definite need arose to merge the two existing
headquarters of Shito-ryu's Nihon Karate-do Kai into one, and on
February 1973, the joint body was inaugurated as the JAPAN KARATE-DO
FEDERATION-SHITO-KAI.
Master Iwata continued to promote Shito-ryu Karate-do around the
world and never varied from the teachings and philosophy of Grandmaster
Mabuni, especially, in the area of the transmission of Kata and
related Bunkai.
Iwata Shihan recalled that Grandmaster Kenwa Mabuni was very rigorous
in transmitting the techniques and Kata forms to him. "Master
Mabuni tried to teach us until we grasped the meaning of each technique
and Kata. He was very thorough in teaching us the respective features
and differences between the
Itosu and Higaonna schools. He did not alter or deform what he
had learned, and was very particular about the correct transmission
of the original techniques and Kata. "Master Iwata personally
believed that, " the student who is willing to learn, will
be the one who learns the best." He expected the students to
show initiative and to ask questions, then he would be more than
willing to teach them as much as he could digest.
He stressed that Shito-ryu Karate-do was a system that was composed
of logical and practical techniques which utilized a minimum of
wasted movement to produce the maximum effect without unnecessay
wasted energy. This, he firmly believed could be easily accomplished
by constantly striving to achieve the proper Kamae and correct positions
of techniques and Kata form. Master Iwata continued the further
development of Shito-ryu Karate-do through many of his students
which included Genzo Iwata, his son, (Chief instructor - Iwata Honbu
Dojo) and Shihan Kunio Murayama (Chief Technical Director - Mexico),
just to mention a few. On March 20-21, 1993, the inaugural formation
of the WORLD SHITO-RYU KARATE-DO FEDERATION and the 1st. World Shito-ryu
Karate-do Championships were held at the Tokyo Budokan, in Ayase,
Japan.
|
