My Kanazawa Soke experience

This is a story about my encounters with a humble everyman, who just happened to be a karate legend.

And I know what you’re thinking; this is a cliché fresh from the world of tv series from yesteryear, or maybe the Imax Screens of today. The Clark Kents and Steve Rogers-es all championing the cause of the humble overachiever, running the risk of being called unrelatable in a cynical time.

Yes, the trope of a living legend being the grounded and down-to-earth person is a fantasy favourite; often seen as a stretch in the real world.

But this is where the fantasy ends. This is a story I suppose I’ve been meaning to tell for the best part of two decades. The story of how Kanazawa Hirokazu Soke, helped to mold my karate career, by just setting a good example.

There is such a cult following around the great man, that his career accolades almost roll off the tongue. First in kumite at the ‘57 All Japan Championships with a broken wrist, the first instructor to go abroad in the early 60’s to teach Shotokan karate, or the first instructor to form a major organisation; the list goes on.

Many karateka in the Shotokan tradition will feel as if they know the stories inside out, as they have been repeated time and again in books, online platforms and even social media groups. For me to rival those famous stories might be futile I fear, but I do have the privilege of meeting him on more than one occasion during my karate career, which left such a lasting impact on me.

I started my life in karate in 1987, but by the time the new millenium rolled by, I had already elevated myself on the tatami, competing at several tournaments, attaining my sandan (third-degree black belt) and was on the way to the proud achievement of having my first students promoted to black belt.

My karate life was going well to say the least, but a chance meet with Soke would change that forever.

When Soke visited Trinidad and Tobago in 2001, I had the fantastic opportunity to spend some time with him. In hindsight, it was a fantastic experience, but before the occasion I have to admit, it proved to be a bit unnerving.

Unnerving, because the reality that I was going to be in the company of the world renowned, SKIF President and Chief Instructor, overseeing the development of 100 countries, and if I may add, was admired by many; he had a huge international following. So, if anything were to happen on my watch, well surmise to say: I will leave that thought right there.

There were two separate memories that come to mind from his visit almost 20 years ago.

The first one, I was asked by my Sensei to carry the 100 tee-shirts for Soke to autograph. Here I was, thinking of how I am going to carry so many tees, and ask Soke to sign them. But as a karateka, when your instructor asks you to do something, you do it, so I headed to the Hilton Hotel where he was staying, mustering up the courage as I went.

When I got to the lobby, I rang him up and he came down, and when he met me, I remember fumbling with my words, trying to say to him that: “I have a few, some, no, 100 tee-shirts" for him to autograph. Reeling at how mundane and monotonous the task may have been for the master. When the words did decide to come out of my mouth though, he responded, “Ahhhh, Ian, no problem.”

And that was it. We sat in the lobby, I held the tees while he signed them. During the time, he asked me about when I started training, and the conversation revolved around my training and karate in Trinidad. Imagine that, Kanazawa Soke, the man I had seen in karate books, and a teacher of teachers, wanted to hear about MY karate experience!

And it was easy too, because he basically led the conversation as he probably sensed by inability to use the English language at the time.

What struck me the most about that encounter, was his patience and the way he autographed each shirt. Each of them was signed with an honest and genuine feeling of respect and gratitude.

When he finished, the time seemed to have vanished, and my nerves had relaxed without me knowing. I bowed and thanked him and he responded with a firm “OSS!”. I walked him to the elevator and told him I will see him the following day for training. While walking off, I realised that I had finally exhaled!

But that wouldn’t be the first time our paths would cross during that trip. The next time would prove to be just as influencial.

On the day before Soke was carded to leave, my Sensei came to me once again and said: “Ian, I want you to take Soke to Tobago for the day.” To which I immediately responded with a confident “Oss Sensei!!” Simple as that.

After a few seconds, the reality of what I was told to do sank in – take Soke to Tobago, our sister isle, and show him the sights. I was going to be with him for six to seven hours. What was I going to do, what was I going to talk about? I felt the butterflies from the Hilton lobby fluttering back, keeping my stomach in somersaults.

I called one of our instructors who lived in Tobago to assist me with Soke’s visit, and the time came for me to pick him up at the hotel. I arrived one hour early, I sat in the car prepping myself all over again, but as I remembered our easy-going nature of our first interaction, it became easier as time passed, as on the trip to the airport, my English returned to me and I was an expert tour guide.

I became the mouth piece for the journey, explaining to him a brief history Tobago, which I owed to my doing history back in my school days – finally a reason.

On landing at the airport, we were greeted by Sensei Mark. He had arranged a glass-bottomed boat for us to go out to the Buccoo Reef and the Nylon Pool, popular tourist destinations on the island.

On the trip, the guide did most of the talking about the reef, of which Soke seemed interested – the Nylon Pool, which for those who may not know, is basically a shallow pool in the middle of the ocean created by a nearby sandbar. The guide dropped the anchor, giving us some time to take a swim.

At that time I had asked Soke if he wanted to take a swim and he replied that he was okay staying in the boat, talking to the guide. Mark and I decided to take a swim and while in the water, we heard the guide telling Soke, “There is a saying that if you bathe in the Nylon Pool you will get 10 years younger.” Before the guide could continue, Soke hurriedly began taking off his tee-shirt, and dove into the water in search of youth.

After our episode at the Nylon Pool, we went to have something to eat, at this point we were more relaxed around Soke, because we realised how humble and approachable he was as a person.

He asked to Sensei Mark about his previous martial art experience, and showing interest in what we had to say.

This added our admiration for who he was, and strengthened our respect for him. Soke did not personify what you may expect a person of his calibre to be. He was more than that.

Lessons in karate-do are not only taught in the dojo through physical training, but we can learn through the conversations outside of the dojo. To share time and space with honest and real people, is priceless and rewarding. The authentic relationships we have with our fellow man, the one that gives more than it receives, leads to real success.

I often questioned, why did my Sensei gave me this huge responsibility? As there were more senior persons thanme. But to question or even ask my Sensei at the time well this was definitely not an option.

So for me, I am good with that, even more so now because the opportunity to spend time with such an influential person has been one of my most treasured experiences and that beats the "why" question any day. I remain forever grateful for my Sensei’s decision,and the mark that Kanazawa Soke left on not just my karate career, but my life.

OSS! 🥋🇹🇹