Northwest Kyokushin

Kancho Yoshikazu Matsushima

President, International Karate Organization - Matsushima

Yoshikazu Matsushima was born on April 23rd, 1947. Kancho Matsushima started training karate at the Ikebukuro dojo in Tokyo, Japan in 1965. He was a student of Oyama, Sosai.

He has taught karate around the world, has appeared in magazines, television shows and movies promoting the Kyokushinkai. Matsushima, Kancho was selected to appear in Sosai's book "Advanced Karate". In 1989 he was awarded a special presentation by Sosai for promoting Kyokushin Karate!

As one of the very first Branch Chiefs appointed, Matsushima, Kancho has been training, teaching, and promoting Kyokushin for more than 35 yrs. He is totally dedicated to, and focused on the preservation and positive growth of Sosai's karate!

Yoshikazu Matsushima was elected as President of the International Karate Organization Matsushima Group in November of 1998. Kancho continues to travel around the world sharing his knowledge and expertise of the "Kyokushin" style of karate.

Group Photo from Kancho Matsushima's visit to Pullman in 2004.

Kancho Matsushima (center) at the banquet which followed the 7th Annual Kyokushin Challenge Tournament on April 5th, 2008. Shihan Adams (right) and Sensei Quitadamo (left) got in on the shot with their families, as did Sensei Ralph (far left).

Despite the disappointment of not being able to see the Seattle Mariners play while he was in Seattle, Kancho Matsushima was still able to enjoy a tour of Safeco Field.