Description

American singer and actor.

Teachers (3)

• 
  Murakami Tetsuji

  swordsShotokan Probable

  Probable

  JSTOR Daily and a fan-site history agree; no account from Murakami

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

  Private lesson (1958–1960)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  JSTOR Daily and a fan-site history agree; no account from Murakami

  “He studied with Jürgen Seydel, known as the father of German karate, and with Murakami Tetsuji, a Japanese instructor living in Paris.”

  — Livia Gershon. (2022-06-20). Elvis and American Karatelink history info

  “During his vacation in Paris he would take private lessons with Tetsugio Murakami, one of Japan's top shotokan stylists”

  — David Adams. (2024-09-27). Elvis Presley and Karate link history info
• 
  Ed Parker

  swordsAmerican Kenpo Probable

  Probable

  Several secondary sources and Graceland's archivist; no account from Parker or Elvis

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

  (1961–1977)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  4 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Several secondary sources and Graceland's archivist; no account from Parker or Elvis

  “Elvis continued to study the sport under Parker.”

  — (2025-01-03). Elvis Presley Would Be Thrilled Karate is in Olympic Gameslink history info

  “The two became friends, and Parker taught Elvis on and off until Presley's death in 1977.”

  — (2014-12-05). Was Elvis Actually Any Good at Karate?link history info

  “In 1961, on the set of Blue Hawaii, the two met again. Parker demonstrated some revolutionary concepts to Presley, which marked Presley’s first karate “lesson” with the man who would eventually advise and influence him on all matters pertinent to the martial arts and Presley’s part in them.”

  — (2022-06-27). Elvis Presleylink history info

  “His most notable student was Elvis Presley.”

  — (2014-02-15). Ed Parker Sr: Teacher, Author, and Promoterlink history info
• person
  Kang Rhee

  swordsPaSaRyu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Rhee's own account; Graceland and Rhee's PaSaRyu school agree

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

  (1970–1974)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Rhee's own account; Graceland and Rhee's PaSaRyu school agree

  “Elvis trained with Rhee from 1970-1974 in Memphis.”

  — (2019-08-17). Remembering Kang Rhee. Graceland link history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “In 1970, Ed Parker recommended Grandmaster Rhee to Elvis Presley. Elvis trained under Grandmaster Rhee until 1974, earning his 7th degree black belt from Grandmaster Rhee.”

  — About Uslink history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “'Elvis was very humble. In many ways, Elvis taught me more than I taught him'.”

  — David Adams. (2024-09-27). Elvis Presley and Karate link history info

Lineage

• American KenpoEd Parker ← William Kwai Sun Chow · 2 generations

Ranks (1)

• swordsPaSaRyu

  military_tech8 dan Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Two Graceland sources; day from Rhee's own inscription

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

  Dan-Kyu System (1974-09-16)

  granted by Kang Rhee

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  4 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Two Graceland sources; day from Rhee's own inscription

  “Elvis was awarded the 8th degree black belt by Rhee in 1974.”

  — (2019-08-17). Remembering Kang Rhee. Graceland link history info

  “who bestowed upon him a seventh-degree black belt in March of 1973 and his eighth in September of 1974.”

  — (2021-06-02). Graceland Announces New Pop-Up Elvis Karate Exhibit to Celebrate the 39th Anniversary of the Opening of the Iconic Property on June 7. Gracelandlink history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “'Kang Rhee, Karate Instructor of Elvis Presley, 8th Degree Black Belt PaSaRyu Karate, September 16th 1974, Memphis Tennessee, U.S.A'”

  — David Adams. (2024-09-27). Elvis Presley and Karate link history info

  “The presentation took place on September 16, 1974 at Master Rhee's studio in Memphis.”

  — David Adams. (2024-09-27). Elvis Presley and Karate link history info

Sources

Identifiers