| BIOGRAPHY - SENSEI ASHIDA - 8TH DEGREE BLACK BELT |
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Born near
Kyoto, Japan in 1924, Ashida began his training in Zen and judo at the
age of 12 under the guidance of Muneyuki sensei. The boy's judo skill
was first demonstrated publicly in 1938 when he won the All-Japan
Kotoshogakko Championship. Ashida went on to win other championships in
Japan and obtained his black belt in 1940. Under the tutelage of such
famous Kodokan sensei as Sumiyuki Kotani, Yamamoto, Watanabe, Tokizane,
Tenzaki, and Muneyuki, Ashida captured the coveted Hyogoken Senengakko
Yudansha championship for three years and also took the Hyogoken
Seinendan Judo championship. During this rigorous period of martial arts
study, Ashida maintained an active academic schedule, earning BA degrees
in economics and psychology from Kwansai University in Osaka and Kwansei
Gakuin University in Nishinomiya, respectively. Ashida served briefly in the Japanese Imperial Army Air Force during World War II, and was in fact trained in the famed Kami Kazi school, though fortunately he never flew that fatal mission. He did however conduct a survey flight over Hiroshima just 16 hours after the Atomic Bomb was dropped, and was one of the very few who saw the immediate aftermath of that fateful day. It was also during this period in his life that he became the third man in the history of his dojo to be taught the closely guarded secrets of tenjin-shinyo-ryu ju jitsu under the tutelage of the famous Nagasuga sensei. Dr. Ashida, who also holds a black belt in Karate & Kendo, was assistant Martial Arts instructor at the Nishinomiya Police Station and the Osaka West Police Station from 1948 to 1953, when he left Japan for the United States. Shortly before his departure, Professor Jigoro Kano’s son personally appointed him as a representative of the Kodokan in the United States. In 1956, Dr. Ashida helped found the Midwest Judo Association, and in 1960 he founded the Midwest Judo Yudanshakai. He also taught Martial Arts & Self-Defense to members of the Strategic Air Command (SAC). Since 1962, Dr. Ashida has served on the Board of Governors of the United States Judo Federation (formerly the Judo Black Belt Federation),USJI, on the U.S. Olympic Judo Committee, and on the AAU National and International Judo Committee. Ashida coached the All-American High School Judo Champions during their 1971 tour of Japan, and the All-American Senior Champions at the 1972 World Championships in Germany. In 1976 Dr. Ashida was selected as the Head Coach for the US Olympic Team, and helped coach the team to a Bonze Medal win in the Heavy Weight category. Furthering his academic education, Ashida received a Ph.D. in Psychology and in Mathematics from the University of Nebraska and is presently an associate professor of psychology at the State University of New York College at Brockport, and Sensei of the RenshinkanDojo. Dr. Ashida still serves on important Committees for various US Judo organizations, and is active in developing a better Judo program in the US. Recently Dr. Ashida was officially recognized by the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese Government for his contributions toward the spread of Judo in the United States. Though hit with Colon Cancer at the age of 75, Dr. Ashida exceeded his Doctors expectations and made a full recovery. At 77 he had both knee joints replaced, followed by a hip joint replacement surgery. To the complete amazement of his Doctors, Dr. Ashida is still rigorously practicing and teaching Judo even at his current age of 80. |
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