?Days of Japanese Culture in Bulgaria? celebrated for the 14th time
A week ago, as part of the ?Days of Japanese Culture in Bulgaria?, a karate demonstration has been organized, with the special participation of Tadashi Yamashita (9th Rank), acclaimed as the world?s fastest karate player. His commission-registered record is 15 hits in 2 seconds. The demonstration was led by Shihan Levon Pakosjan (5th Rank in Okinawa karate), who in 1995 founded the Okinawa Karate Federation in Bulgaria, located in Plovdiv.
Sensei Tadashi Yamashita was born in 1942 in Japan. At the age of 16 he took his first black belt, and in 1968 he took his 7th Rank. In 1960 he became the national champion of Japan. He has been living in California, USA, since 1972. He was among the legendary Bruce Lee?s closest friends. In an interview taken by a Maritsa Newspaper reporter he said: ?The martial art always has a spiritual aspect, which should be transferred into the business, into the family and inside your own self. I have reached that harmony. Karate is my life. Karate?s philosophy is that it is for everyone, and it helps people help and love each other better. The reason why I am coming from the States to Bulgaria is very much the same ? the friendship, the brothership.? This is his second visit to Plovdiv ? his first one was also organized by Levon Pakosjan, Chairman of the Karate Club and the National Karate Federation.
Years ago, Yamashita has created his own system called Sui Ken-do, which means ?the way of the water fist?. The system is very fast and includes techniques from jiu-jitsu and boxing. Yamashita often travels to Japan. Affiliates of his school have been opened not only in Tokyo but also in South and North America. He is on his way to ?conquer? Europe now ? there are branches of his school already active in Greece and Bulgaria - and several more are being organized at the moment in Ukraine, Georgia, Russia and Israel.
He has been recognised as one of the best choreographers of battle scenes in Hollywood ? famous film stars such as Wesley Snipes, Sean Connery, Stephen Segal and many others have been trained at his school. He is author of many books, instruction films and documentaries about martial arts.