Also known as

Seikichi Iha · いは せいきち

Description

Okinawan karateka (1932-2024), Hanshi 10th dan Shidokan karate, student of Shinpan Gusukuma and Katsuya Miyahira; senior-most Shorin-ryu practitioner in the United States, based in Lansing, Michigan.

Teachers (2)

• 
  Gusukuma Shinpan

  sports_martial_artsShidokan Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Fighting Arts interview states Iha was accepted as a formal student of Shinpan Gusukuma in 1950 and trained with him for four years; the EN Wikipedia article on Gusukuma also names him as a student

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  (1950–1954)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Fighting Arts interview states Iha was accepted as a formal student of Shinpan Gusukuma in 1950 and trained with him for four years; the EN Wikipedia article on Gusukuma also names him as a student

  “in 1950 he was accepted as a formal student of Shinpan Gusukuma [...] Iha trained with Gusukuma for four years. After Gusukuma's death in 1954”

  — Estrada, Ernest. Seikichi Iha - Interview by Ernest Estrada. FightingArts.comlink history info

  “Sensei Seikichi Iha, 10th Dan, Shidokan Karate, a student of Gusukuma's, reminds us that it is the responsibility of the dedicated student to seek out partners for the exploration of jutsu and ryaku.”

  — Shinpan Gusukuma - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
• 
  Miyahira Katsuya

  sports_martial_artsShidokan Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Fighting Arts interview states Iha met Katsuya Miyahira in 1954, was accepted as his student shortly thereafter, and received his hanshi 9-dan certification from Miyahira on March 12, 1989

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  (1954)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Fighting Arts interview states Iha met Katsuya Miyahira in 1954, was accepted as his student shortly thereafter, and received his hanshi 9-dan certification from Miyahira on March 12, 1989

  “Iha met Katsuya Miyahira in 1954 and was accepted as a student shortly thereafter [...] On March 12, 1989, he received his Hanshi 9-Dan certification from Katsuya Miyahira”

  — Estrada, Ernest. Seikichi Iha - Interview by Ernest Estrada. FightingArts.comlink history info

  “Sensei Seikichi Iha [...] studying under the renowned masters, Sensei Shinpan Gusukuma, and Sensei Katsuya Miyahira.”

  — Iha Bio - Grand River Karatelink history info

Ranks (2)

• sports_martial_artsShidokan

  military_tech9 dan Probable

  Probable

  Fighting Arts interview states Iha received his hanshi 9-dan certification from Katsuya Miyahira on March 12, 1989, certified by the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karatedo Association

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Dan-Kyu System (1989-03-12)

  granted by Miyahira Katsuya

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Fighting Arts interview states Iha received his hanshi 9-dan certification from Katsuya Miyahira on March 12, 1989, certified by the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karatedo Association

  “On March 12, 1989, he received his Hanshi 9-Dan certification from Katsuya Miyahira making him the highest ranking Okinawan residing in the United States. His rank is certified by the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karatedo Association.”

  — Estrada, Ernest. Seikichi Iha - Interview by Ernest Estrada. FightingArts.comlink history info

  military_tech10 dan Probable

  Probable

  The obituary and the Grand River Karate bio give Iha's rank as Hanshi 10th dan; date unknown

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Dan-Kyu System

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  The obituary and the Grand River Karate bio give Iha's rank as Hanshi 10th dan; date unknown

  “Seikichi Iha, Hanshi 10th Dan, sensei of Original Okinawa Karate died on Aug. 3 2024.”

  — Hutchcroft, John. (2024). In Memory of Seikichi Iha 1932-2024 - Okinawa Village Karate Associationlink history info

  “Seikichi Iha, Hanshi 10 Dan 1931-2024”

  — Iha Bio - Grand River Karatelink history info

Honours (3)

• receipt_longIntangible Cultural Asset (Okinawa) Probable

  Probable

  Grand River Karate bio states Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki awarded Iha the title of Intangible Cultural Asset on May 19, 2020, the first such award to an individual living outside Okinawa

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Title (2020-05-19)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Grand River Karate bio states Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki awarded Iha the title of Intangible Cultural Asset on May 19, 2020, the first such award to an individual living outside Okinawa

  “On May, 19, 2020, Denny Tamaki, Governor of Okinawa, awarded Iha Sensei the title of Intangible Cultural Asset, designating Iha Sensei a national treasure. This is the first time the award has been given to an individual living outside of Okinawa.”

  — Iha Bio - Grand River Karatelink history info
• receipt_longHanshi 9th DanHanshi Probable

  Probable

  Fighting Arts interview states Iha received his hanshi 9-dan certification from Katsuya Miyahira on March 12, 1989, certified by the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karatedo Association

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Title (1989-03-12)

  granted by Miyahira Katsuya

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Fighting Arts interview states Iha received his hanshi 9-dan certification from Katsuya Miyahira on March 12, 1989, certified by the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karatedo Association

  “On March 12, 1989, he received his Hanshi 9-Dan certification from Katsuya Miyahira making him the highest ranking Okinawan residing in the United States. His rank is certified by the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karatedo Association.”

  — Estrada, Ernest. Seikichi Iha - Interview by Ernest Estrada. FightingArts.comlink history info
• receipt_longHanshi 10th DanHanshi Probable

  Probable

  The obituary and the Grand River Karate bio give Iha's rank as Hanshi 10th dan; date unknown

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Title

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  The obituary and the Grand River Karate bio give Iha's rank as Hanshi 10th dan; date unknown

  “Seikichi Iha, Hanshi 10th Dan, sensei of Original Okinawa Karate died on Aug. 3 2024.”

  — Hutchcroft, John. (2024). In Memory of Seikichi Iha 1932-2024 - Okinawa Village Karate Associationlink history info

  “Seikichi Iha, Hanshi 10 Dan 1931-2024”

  — Iha Bio - Grand River Karatelink history info

Sources

Identifiers