Koshin Iha Sensei

It is with great sadness that I write this post. Koshin Iha Sensei has passed away. Iha Sensei was well know to most but I thought I would give a small account for those that may not know;

Koshin Iha Sensei was born November 24, 1925.  He began training in Gojuryu karate in 1939 under the direction of its founder, Chojun Miyagi Sensei, he continued to train under Miyagi Sensei until Miyagi Sensei passed away in 1953. Iha Sensei then became the assistant to Eiichi Miyazato Sensei at the Miyagi Garden Dojo.

In 1954, Iha Sensei helped Miyazato Sensei to establish the Jundokan dojo and continued his duties as Miyazato’s assistant. In 1969, he assisted Miyazato in forming the Okinawa Gojuryu Karate-do Kyokai and served as the Vice Chairman until 1999.

In 1971, Iha Sensei opened his own dojo the Shodokan in Tomari, Okinawa. Even though he had his own dojo, he still assisted Miyazato Sensei with classes at the Jundokan. He also helped Miyazato with his book Okinawa-Den Gojuryu Karate in 1978.

In the organizational arena Iha Sensei has held several posts;

1969-1999 - Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate-do Kyokai, Vice-Chairman
1993-2012 - All Japan Karate-do Federation (Goju style), Advisor
2000 - 2012 -Okinawa Prefecture Karate do Federation, Director
2000-2004 Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate-do Kyokai, Chairman
2004 – 2012 - Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate-do Kyokai, Honorary Chairman (Myo Kaichô)

Upon his passing, Miyazato Eiichi Sensei named Iha Sensei as his successor. Iha Sensei assumed the position of not only head of the Jundokan and OGKK, but also of Gojuryu Karate. Iha Sensei retired in 2004 and now serves as the senior most advisor and honorary chairman for the OGKK.

Iha Sensei was very kind to me and accepted me as his student, he will be greatly missed by many.