Master Hidetaka Nishiyama (1928 - 2008)
Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1928,
Nishiyama began his karate
training in 1943 under Master
Gichin Funakoshi, the founder
of modern karate.

In 1951, he became co-founder
of the Japan Karate
Association (JKA) and was
elected to the JKA Board of
Directors.

In 1961, Nishiyama organized
the All America Karate
Federation (today the American
Amateur Karate Federation, or
AAKF) as a Nationally based
amateur Karate organization,
and in 1974 founded the
Last Updated: February 1, 2009
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International Amateur Karate Federation (IAKF).  In 1985, the IAKF
changed its name to the International Traditional Karate Federation
(ITKF).

In 2000, he was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays
with Rosette by the Emperor of Japan for his promotion of Japanese
culture through his lifelong teaching of traditional karate. In 2001, the
Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland was
bestowed upon him.

NIshiyama passed away on November 7, 2008 at the age of 80, survived
by his wife and 3 daughters.

"The sole U.S. member of the
Federation, the governing body for
Traditional Karate as defined by the
International Olympic Committee
(IOC) 101st Session in 1993."