David Akutagawa

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Mr. David Akutagawa, 8th Dan (Shito-Ryu) and Shihan, 6th Dan (Chito-ryu) and Renshi, has a dedicated karate history spanning a half-century. David Akutagawa first came to Canada after receiving a degree in Economic Science from Kohnan University in Kobe, Japan. His karate background at that time was in Shito-Ryu and Shotokan styles. In 1967, he began teaching karate at the RCMP Self Defense Depot in Penhold, Alberta and at the RCMP Academy in Regina, Saskatchewan. He taught the RCMP Instructors there for over a decade.

In order to further his karate career, Mr. Akutagawa traveled to Toronto to meet and train under Mas Tsuroka Sensei, the “Father of Canadian Karate”, as well as the head instructor of Chito-Ryu in Canada. In 1966, Tsuroka Sensei introduced Mr. Akutagawa to O-Sensei, Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose, founder and supreme instructor of Chito-Ryu. Thus began Mr. Akutagawa's training in Chito-Ryu, until O-Sensei's passing in July 1984. Akutagawa Sensei resigned from the International Chito-kai in December 1996 and founded the Renshikan (連士舘) Karate Association in January 1997. On June 1, 2006, Soke Kenei Mabuni of Shito-Ryu Karate-Do officially promoted David Akutagawa to 8th Dan and Shihan. Mr. Akutagawa also enjoys studying Okinawan Kobudo, Iai-Do and Jiujitsu with various experts.

[edit] External links

• Official Website

[edit] Sources

Colling, Michael, Chitose Tsuyoshi – A Bridge Through Time, <http://www.dragon-tsunami.org/Dtimes/Pages/article33.htm>. Retrieved on 2007-14-11 

Organizations and Instructors with direct ties to Chito-ryu Karate-do, <http://www.chitoryu.com/breakaways.htm>. Retrieved on 2007-14-11 

Colling, Michael & Schmidt, Don, Chito-ryu Diversity, <http://www.chitoryu.com/diversity.htm>. Retrieved on 2007-14-11 

“Karate Celebrations”, Karate BC News: pg. 8, July 2007, <http://www.karatebc.org/newsletter/eNews/KBC_NewsLetter_July2007.pdf>