Also known as

Description

Leading teacher of Okinawa Goju-ryu karate (born 1952), head of the Okinawa Gojuryu Kenkyu Kai, student of Eiichi Miyazato at the Jundokan; known as a researcher and practitioner of Goju-ryu kata bunkai.

Teachers (1)

• 
  Miyazato Eiichi

  linkGoju-ryu 3

  Confirmed

  EN Wikipedia states Taira started training at the Jundokan dojo of Eiichi Miyazato at age 16 and trained under Miyazato's guidance for years; corroborated by Taira's own words in the Blitz interview (primary) and the Taira Kenkyukai France site

  (1968)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources

  fact_check

  EN Wikipedia states Taira started training at the Jundokan dojo of Eiichi Miyazato at age 16 and trained under Miyazato's guidance for years; corroborated by Taira's own words in the Blitz interview (primary) and the Taira Kenkyukai France site

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "At age 16, Taira started training in Goju ryu karate at the Jundokan dojo of Eiichi Miyazato... he would make the journey from Gushikawa City where he was stationed to the Jundokan in Naha where from 6pm to 10pm every night he would pursue his karate training... under the guidance of Miyazato, founder of the Jundokan."

  — Masaji Taira - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) linkinfo

  "I also wish to continue the legacy left to me by Miyazato Sensei and Miyagi Chojun Sensei before him... Miyazato Sensei [the Jundokan dojo's late chief instructor] was an instructor at the Police Academy, and a number of my seniors at the Jundokan were also my seniors in the police force."

  — Stone, Ben; Keenan, Bryson. Human Tornado - Taira Sensei Interview (Blitz Magazine)linkinfo

  "His teacher was Eiichi Miyazato, a student of Chojun Miyagi and the founder of the Okinawan Jundokan dojo. Taira's karate is that of his teacher and the Jundokan, with the addition of his novel approach to the application of the kata."

  — Goju Ryu Kenkyukai - Taira Kenkyukai France linkinfo

Ranks (2)

• linkGoju-ryu

  military_tech9 dan 2

  Probable

  The Taira Kenkyukai France site (official French branch of his organisation) describes Taira as 9th Dan Hanshi; single source, hence level 2

  Dan-Kyu System

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  The Taira Kenkyukai France site (official French branch of his organisation) describes Taira as 9th Dan Hanshi; single source, hence level 2

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "The Okinawa Goju Ryu Kenkyukai is a global karate organisation set up to promote research into the practical application of Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate kata and technique, headed by Taira Masaji Sensei, 9th Dan Hanshi."

  — Goju Ryu Kenkyukai - Taira Kenkyukai France linkinfo
• linkAikidō

  military_tech4 dan 3

  Confirmed

  EN Wikipedia states Taira is currently 4th dan in judo

  Dan-Kyu System

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  EN Wikipedia states Taira is currently 4th dan in judo

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "He achieved his judo black belt in 3 months... He is currently 4th dan in Judo."

  — Masaji Taira - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) linkinfo

Honors (1)

• receipt_longHanshi 9th DanHanshi 2

  Probable

  The Taira Kenkyukai France site (official French branch of his organisation) describes Taira as 9th Dan Hanshi; single source, hence level 2

  Title

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  The Taira Kenkyukai France site (official French branch of his organisation) describes Taira as 9th Dan Hanshi; single source, hence level 2

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "The Okinawa Goju Ryu Kenkyukai is a global karate organisation set up to promote research into the practical application of Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate kata and technique, headed by Taira Masaji Sensei, 9th Dan Hanshi."

  — Goju Ryu Kenkyukai - Taira Kenkyukai France linkinfo

Sources