Biographies

Sensei Yutaka Yaguchi

Yaguchi Sensei was born on Kyushu Island during the fall of 1932.  He grew up going to school in Hiroshima and later attended Nihon University in Tokyo, majoring in Marine Biology.  While training karate, he participated in a number of sports, including competitive swimming.  After Graduating from Collage, Sensei Yaguchi worked for an engineering firm.  A few months, he left the job and enrolled in the second class of JKA Instructor Training Program. Sensei Enoeda, Sensei Kana, Sensei Zawa, Sensei Mikami, Sensei Shirai and Sensei Asai were a few of the people who were being trianed at the same time as Sensei Yaguchi. The instructor was Master Nakayama and was assisted by Sensei Okazaki, Sensei Nishiyama.  Sensei Yaguchi's Nidan examination was overseen by Master Funakoshi and was the last exam he presided over.  Training in the early days was very hard. 

Sensei Yaguchi remained in Tokyo after graduating from the JKA Instructor Training Program and taught for the JKA.  In 1965 he left Japan and traveled to the United States first visiting Los Angeles and then Denver Colorado.  In 1966 he returned to Los Angeles where he stayed for 6 years.  He then moved to Denver where he still lives today.  In his teaching, Sensei Yaguchi emphasizes each students ability to understand and work with his or her body type.  His focus in teaching karate, goes beyond technique and reaches to character development, and determination. 

Sensei Yaguchi is arguably the best JKA kumite coach of all time.  Sensei James Field, Sensei Frank Smith and Sensei Masahiko Tanaka are some of his students who have achieved great success in competition.  His Region the Mountain States is affiliated with the four Western Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.  He visits these provinces several times a year, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for Shotokan Karate.  British Columbia is honored to have Sensei Yaguchi as our Chief Instructor.  He is truly an inspiration to all who are fortunate enough to train under him.