Sadashige Kato

Kato Shihan was born on July 22nd 1943 in Kochi, Japan and passed away on 16^th April 2020 in England. He attended the world famous Takushoku University in Tokyo and trained under Sensei Tsuyama, Kanazawa and Urui. Sensei Kanazawa's influence was very strong and he won a place on the JKA Instructors Course. By this time Sadashige Kato had graded 3rd Dan under Nakayama Sensei, who after grading took off his belt and presented it to Kato. This was one of Kato Sensei’s most prized tresures. 1965-1966 Kato Shihan lived in Germany assisting Kanazawa Sensei and in 1966 went to the UK to assist Enoeda Sensei.

Kato Shihan has been resident in England and teaching karate throughout the world for more than 50 years during which time his loyalty was to the late World Chief Instructor for IJKA, Tetsuhiko Asai Shihan 9th Dan, until his sad passing in 2006.
Kato Sensei is the only person to have passed an 8th Dan grading under Asai Shihan, a testament to the technical complexity of Asai's examinations and Kato Shihan’s awesome abilities as a true karate master.

At the 2007 IJKA congress meeting held in Budapest, Hungary, following one year of respect for Asai Shihan 9th Dan, Kato Shihan was asked to take over the mantel of IJKA World Chief Instructor.

Sadashige Kato Shihan, Chief Instructor, IJKA Karate

In July 2013 Kato Shihan celebrated his 70th birthday but as the above photograph taken in early 2013 shows, age is no barrier, for a true karate master.

Whilst it was Asai Shihan's unbelievable ability to demonstrate his style, it was and is Kato Shihan's ability to interpret and teach, that has seen the organisation grow and gain popularity with the karate instructors who are still hungry for knowledge. His unique style of teaching and, attention to the historical detail of Shotokan karate make his coaching seminars a must for every serious Shotokan karateka.

Kato Sensei is known for his technology for applying basic techniques in which both hands work in a typical way. Thanks to this technology, the same technique can be used in numerous ways and applied simultaneously, both as protection against different attacks at different levels and as an attack. This is how Kata applications of Kato Sensei becomes alive, constantly changing and applicable to various attacks from different directions. Recently, many schools and organizations outside IJKA have been adopting and implementing this technology.

Other developments include his 5th dan diploma work, known today as Kanazawa no bo, and Kata series of training for different stancees, how to move around in them, and different ways of working with the hips, legs and feet:

    Zenkutsu dachi no Kata Include 4 types of zenkutsu dachi and different methods of hips, legs and feet work.
    Kiba dachi no kata
    Kokutsu dachi no kata
    Sanchin dachi, Hangetsu dachi, Fudo dachi no Kata
    UchiHachiji dachi, Kake dachi, Sagiashi dachi no Kata
    Bo Kata

Kata for beginners:

    Dai Itsu ken for 12kyu
    Dai Ni ken for 11kyu
    Dai San ken for 10kyu
    Dai Yon ken for 9kyu

Wheelchair kata:

    So-rin Dai
    So-rin Dai ikken
    So-rin Dai nikken

It is known that Asai Sensei planned to create a few more Kata, but unfortunately one life is not enough to develop his potential in Karate. Based on the names of these Kata, left behind by Asai Shihan and the principles of his Karate, based on his personal experience in 2009 Kato Sensei has been developing several Kata as a continuation of the legacy left by Asai Sensei. These are:
Fushu (Kaze no te)
Kibakan Nidan
Kibakan Sandan
Kibaken Yondan
Kibakan Godan
Supar Kibaken
Kato Sensei also created Meikyo Sandan based on his research into this lost Kata.

An interview with Sadashige Kato Sensei 9th Dan, Chief Instructor of the International Japan Karate Association.
Enjoy the video interview with the genius of the modern Shotokan Karate Do.

Kato Shihan interview

Kato

国際日本武術空手道 | International Japan Karate-Do Association

Karate club Bunkai, Smolyan

Karate club Bunkai, Smolyan

Sadashige Kato