Maryknoll Shotokan Karate Club

Maryknoll Shotokan Karate Club History

At the turn of the century, Los Angeles had a population of about 300,000, of which 10,000 were Japanese immigrants. In 1921, Maryknoll, a U.S. based missionary society of priests, brothers and nuns established a domestic mission in Los Angeles to serve the needs of the Japanese Catholic community. The mission established an elementary school, and, in 1939, added a chapel. The first of several generations of Japanese Americans enrolled. Along with a strict academic curriculum, the mission fostered Japanese ethnic heritage, culture and language.

In 1963 a Maryknoll nun, Sister Mary Bernadette, invited Tsutomu Ohshima to take over Japanese language instruction for the retiring teacher. At that time, Mr. Ohshima, was already teaching karate at several locations, including as a faculty member of Cal Tech in Pasadena. He was also busy translating Master Funakoshi’s text. He graciously accepted Sister Bernadette’s invitation.

In class, Mr. Ohshima instilled strict discipline. He demanded that students consistently put forth their best efforts. When students misbehaved or forgot homework assignments, they were sent to the hallway to hold heavy books, bibles always conveniently available at the Catholic school, over their heads. For repeat infractions or bending arms Sensei added additional volumes. Boys and girls were disciplined equally emphasizing respect, obligation and the difference between right and wrong.

John Teramoto, then an eighth grader, approached Mr. Ohshima in the courtyard one day. John had heard rumors of Sensei and karate. Mr. Ohshima only admitted to knowing “a little.” Recalls John, “I didn’t even know what karate was, but I knew I wanted to learn something from him … there was some kind of aura about him; something heroic… So, I asked him if he could teach us (karate).” Mr. Ohshima refused John’s request three times in order to see just how serious John was about training. Finally, Mr. Ohshima relented and allowed John to get some students together. With its first 60 students, 6th, 7th and 8th grade boys, Maryknoll Karate Club in 1963 became the world’s first elementary school karate club.

Over the years, the club flourished. Girls were encouraged to practice. Several hundred Maryknoll students passed through the dojo doors. Many students were also treated to instruction, both in karate and in Japanese, from Mr. Ohshima’s “substitutes.” These included his wife, Yoko, and several of his juniors from Waseda University, including, Shoji Okabe and Yasunori Ono. Occasionally, if Sensei was unable to teach an afternoon karate class, he would send us an intense brown belt from Caltech named Jim Sagawa.

As the Japanese-American population assimilated, it became less centralized within Los Angeles. Families moved to outlying suburbs and would no longer send their children to Maryknoll, so in 1995, the school was closed and Maryknoll was rededicated as a community center locally servicing both religious and secular needs. Today, over fifty groups, classes and clubs use center facilities. SKA moved its administrative offices to the center after the sale of the LA Dojo property.

Throughout the years, the Karate Club has remained active by bringing in new dojo members and supporting Maryknoll community efforts. Today, the Maryknoll Karate Club is responsible for organizing the west coast summer special training and for conducting the Nisei Week Exhibition. Each year, Maryknoll members continue its annual Chicken Teriyaki Bingo fundraiser to support the Ohshima dojo building fund.

Active Maryknoll senior black belts include: John Teramoto (Godan, Maryknoll class of 1964) currently Curator of Asian Art at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in Indianapolis and leads the karate group at Butler University; Kei Teramoto (Godan, class of 1967) a business consultant and banking instructor; José Rivera (Godan, class of 1967) owns The UPS Store in Arleta; James Uyeda (Godan, class of 1973) a Los Angeles attorney; Frank Lee (Godan) is an accounting manager for one of LA’s major construction firms; Paul Tabe (Yodan, class of 1970) lives in Antwerp, Belgium where he is in the diamond trade and leads practices with Belgium Shotokan.

Jane Uyeda (Sandan, class of 1979) teaches Japanese language and culture in Napa, California and practices karate in the San Francisco bay area. Other Sandans currently include: Philip Lynn, Martin McGrail (now leading the Central Coast Dojo in Pismo Beach, California), Jerome Williams (now leading the Figueroa Dojo in Los Angeles) and Gary Domingo.

Many other active black belts and other members contribute their efforts to strong practice and successful dojo activities. Many inactive dojo alumni continue their generous, and well appreciated, support.