Takayuki Kubota

 ( 1934 Births ) 

September 20, 1934 – August 14, 2024, also known as Tak Kubota, was a Japanese and American , known for founding the Gosoku-ryu style of karate. He held the title of sōke (grandmaster) for his development of the Gosoku-ryū, and was the founder and president of the International Karate Association. He was also the inventor and holder of the trademark of the Kubotan self-defense key chain. Kubotan trademark registration (uspto.gov)

Kubota was a self-defense instructor for the Tokyo Police department in the 1950s, where he was noted for his expertise in practical karate. He moved to the United States in the 1960's, where he developed the Gosoku-ryū style. He would develop and teach the application of techniques self-defense techniques to military, law enforcement, and civilian personnel. He also worked as a stuntman and actor in the film industry.

At the time of his death, Kubota had held black belt degrees in karate (10th dan), judo (5th dan), aikido (5th dan), kendo (2nd dan), and iaido.

---

Early life Kubota was born on September 20, 1934, in Kumamoto, Japan, into the family of Denjiro (father) and Semo (mother) Kubota. He had four brothers, of which one became a kendo master, one a jujitsu master, and one the Japanese Olympic volleyball coach. In 1939, at the age of four, Kubota began studying martial arts under the direction of his father, who was a master of jujitsu and jukendo. The training included bamboo yadi, judo, keibo-jutsu (baton), and makiwara practice.

During World War II, Kubota learned karate under the guidance of two Okinawans—Terada and Tokunaga—stationed in his village. They were teaching local people with basics in the martial art of te; there was no name "karate" at that time in Okinawa.

At the age of 13, Kubota went to Tokyo to seek his fortune—against his father's will. Upon arrival, he discovered that there was no work and no place to stay. While in a queue for food, however, Kubota helped the police to capture some criminals using his skill in Taiho Jutsu (arresting technique). One of the officers, Detective Karino, gave Kubota a place to stay and helped him finish his education. Karino brought him to the dojo (training hall) of Chinese master Cai and, in return, he taught Karino the art of taiho jutsu. Until he earned enough money for classes, Kubota watched techniques at one of the top karate schools from outside at night. When he earned enough money, he continued his formal training inside a dojo.

---

Instructing career In 1947, at age of 14, Kubota was noticed by Tokyo Police and was soon teaching hand-to-hand and baton combat to officers of Kamata Police Department; he did this for 10 years. He tested his martial arts skills by working as an agent in dangerous districts of Tokyo and being used as a one-man riot control by police. It was in this era that Gosoku-ryu techniques were refined. He complemented his martial arts training with studies in meditation, history, and other non-combative aspects of the arts.

Kubota opened his first karate dojo at the age of 17. From 1950–1959, he was an instructor for the US Army, Air Force, and Marines in kendo, karate, judo, and giyokute-jitsu. Between 1960 and 1963, he taught pro-wrestling techniques at Haneda dojo.

As he became more well known, the US military and government personnel at the American military bases stationed there invited him to teach self-defense and show demonstrations. From 1958 to 1960, he taught the US Military Police and other personnel at Camp Zama, Kanagawa, Japan. In addition, from 1959 to 1964, he taught self-defense to the US Army personnel at Kishine Barracks in Yokohama. At the same, during 1961 to 1963, he was teaching the American personnel at Grand Heights Air Force Base in Tokyo and US Air Force Police at Fuchu Air Force Base. He also worked as a bodyguard to the US Ambassador to Japan. Through 1964, Kubota taught self-defense to other government personnel, including the CIA agents at the US military bases throughout Japan.

On August 2, 1964, Kubota was invited by Ed Parker to give a demonstration at Parker's First Annual International Karate Tournament in Long Beach, California. In late 1964, he permanently relocated to America. Kubota taught self-defense at the Los Angeles Police Department Academy for several years. Kubota developed his own style of karate, naming it Gosoku-ryu ("hard-fast style"), and he consequently held the title Sōke, meaning "head of family/style."

Kubota became an American citizen in 1974.

In 1990, Kubota was inducted into the Black Belt magazine's Hall of Fame as 'Weapons Instructor of the Year.' Black Belt Magazine: Weapons Instructor of the Year

---

Inventions The five and a half inch plastic Kubotan key chain is Kubota's most important invention. It was designed as a tool for female Los Angeles Police Department officers, and registered as trademark in 1978. Kubota also developed the Kubotai, another self-defense weapon, which was patented in 1991. US Patent 5066013 – Kubotai restraint device having two batons bound together by a cord at points spaced from the ends of the batons . Retrieved 22 January 2010 The Kubotai is used to employ and immobilize the opponent.

---

Death

Kubota died in Glendale, California. on August 14, 2024, at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Thea, and daughters, Amy and Sara. His son, Tyler, died August 6, 2024 after battling cancer.

---

Books

Kubota wrote several books on the martial arts:

1. (1972). 9780398023386, Thomas. . ISBN 9780398023386
2. (1977). 9780672523311, Haddington House. . ISBN 9780672523311
3. (1980). 9780865680104, Unique Publications (Subs. of CFW Enterprises, Inc). ISBN 9780865680104
4. (1981). 9780935878028, Reliapon Police Products. . ISBN 9780935878028
5. (1982). 9780865681019, Beckett Pubns. . ISBN 9780865681019
6. (1983). 9780865681118, Unique Publications. . ISBN 9780865681118
7. (1983). 9780865680425, Unique Publications. ISBN 9780865680425
8. (1985). 9780946062096, Dragon Books. . ISBN 9780946062096
9. (1985). 9780934489003, I & I Sports Supply Co. . ISBN 9780934489003
10. (1987). 094606220X, Dragon Books. . 094606220X
11. (2025). 9780865682054, Unique Publications. . ISBN 9780865682054

---

Media appearances

Kubota was featured in more than 280 movies and TV shows, and over 180 commercials.

1972	The Mechanic	Yamoto aka Killer of Killers
1975	The Killer Elite	Negato Toku
1977	Operation Petticoat	Japanese Officer
1983	Focus on Fishko	James Fikuta
1993	Rising Sun	Yakuza Henchman
1995		Oshima
2001	Pearl Harbor	Japanese Aide #3
2001	Power Rangers Time Force: Photo Finish	Elder Monk
2006		Yakuza Man
2020	Glitch Techs	Karate Master

---

Celebrity students

Over the years Kubota taught martial arts to many actors Chuck Barris, Dick Martin, Ron Ely, Bo Hopkins, Randolph Mantooth, Tim McIntire, the Bay City Rollers, Sam Peckinpah,Interview with Tak Kubota in: Fighting stars magazine, Feb. 1981, page 12 Gary Owens,Morris Chapnick, Top disc jokey gets a kick out of the Martial arts, in:Fighting stars magazine, Feb. 1975, page 12 Stirling Silliphant,Stirling Silliphant memoirs, in: Jack Vaughn and Mike Lee, The legendary Bruce Lee, page 133 David Jensen, Sy Weintraub,Rick Shiverly, East meets West in the movies, in: Fighting stars magazine, June 1974, page 40 Peter Frampton, Robert Conrad, George Kennedy,Nancy Frizzelle, The amazing master Kubota, in: Fighting stars magazine, Sept. 1978, page 32-33 Tammy Lauren, Nancy McKeon, Hilary Swank.Salvador Herraiz, Legends of karate-do: Tak Kubota, in: Budo International, Jan. 2003, page 52

James Caan may have been his most loyal celebrity student, having trained with him from 1975 until at least 2004.An unconquerable spirit, Jose Fraguas in: Inside Kung-fu Magazine Jan 2005, page 98

---

Bibliography

---

External links

• International Karate Association

Categories: 1934 Births, 2024 Deaths, People From Kumamoto, Japanese Emigrants To The United States, Japanese Male Karateka, Martial Arts School Founders, Martial Arts Writers, Naturalized Citizens Of The United States, Japanese Male Judoka, Japanese Kendoka, American Male Karateka, American Male Judoka, American Kendoka, American Male Actors Of Japanese Descent, American Male Film Actors, American Male Television Actors, 20th-century American Sportsmen, 20th-century Japanese Sportsmen

Post Comment