Sometimes I look around and wonder whatever happened to the various JKA masters of the “JKA Golden Age” that we used to look up to. That period from the 60’s through the 70’s marked a time when the Japan Karate Association was the premier karate organization in the world. The masters of that time, in particular, those who helped spread Shotokan around the world, included, Nakayama, Kanazawa, Enoeda, Nishiyama, Kase, Shirai, Ueki, Asai, and Mikami. Today, with the exception of Mikami Sensei, all have gone on to that dojo in the sky. Each waged a lifetime effort to train, gain and maintain their technical skills and knowledge to be able to share the art with others. In the long run, no one wins the battle against diminishing skills and old age. Since Sensei Peter, Wayne and I each turn 75 this year, I was curious if I could find anything in YouTube showing a JKA master still displaying decent technique at the venerable age of seventy-five (not easy to find).
I was fortunate to find a video of then 75-year old Master Masaaki Ueki teaching a group of JKA black belts in Japan. In his younger days, Master Ueki was no slouch, having been an All-JKA Grand Champion (1st Kata, 2nd Kumite) twice, with other first place kata finishes during the decade from 1965-75. He later rose to become Chief Instructor of the JKA world-wide.
When you look at the short video (2:45 minutes), I want you to think about how many 75-year-old men do you know who can still display decent punching and kicking technique like Master Ueki. He is an inspiration to us older karateka and should also be one for you. Whatever age you are today, the ongoing pursuit of knowledge and excellence are timeless and worthy goals. In the future, your body will thank you for it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a8F-4CxrYs
Perhaps for all mortal mankind, striving for a long and healthy life is the true meaning of “Mortal Combat”. Master Ueki passed at age 85 in 2024.