村田 寛 先生
Murata Hiroshi Sensei (1936 to 2019)
A Life of Service to Shitō-ryū Karatedo
Sensei Hiroshi Murata, 村田寛 先生, was one of the senior postwar leaders of Shitō-ryū Karatedo and All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai. His life represents loyalty to his teacher, dedication to technical standards, and long service to karate in Japan and around the world.
Murata Sensei was born on September 17, 1936, in Miyadera Village, Saitama Prefecture, now part of Iruma City. In March 1955, he graduated from Tokyo Metropolitan Agricultural and Forestry High School. On March 21, 1955, he entered the dojo of the late Sensei Manzo Iwata, 岩田万蔵 先生. This marked the beginning of his lifelong path in Shitō-ryū Karatedo.
In July 1956, Murata Sensei began public service in Miyadera Village, now Iruma City. On June 1, 1960, with permission from Iwata Sensei, he founded the Musashi Branch. From this period forward, he devoted himself to personal training, instruction, and the development of Shitō-ryū Karate.
His work in karate organization grew steadily. In May 1969, he helped in the establishment of the Saitama Karatedo Federation. In September 1975, he served as a lecturer and examiner for regional and national instructor seminars sponsored by the Japan Karatedo Federation. In October 1980, he became an advanced coach of the Japan Amateur Sports Association.
In 1983, Murata Sensei received the Saitama Prefecture Sports Award. In 1992, he received 8th Dan from All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai. In 1993, he received 8th Dan from the Japan Karatedo Federation. During the same year, he joined the JKF Central Technical Committee, became Chairman of the Shitokai Kanto District Council, and became Chairman of the Iruma City Karatedo Federation.
His senior qualifications continued to grow. In 1994, he became a Shitokai First-Class Qualification Examiner. In 1997, he received the title of Hanshi from the Japan Karatedo Federation. In 1998, he became a JKF First-Class Qualification Examiner. In 1999, he became a senior instructor under the Japan Amateur Sports Association.
In 2001, Murata Sensei stepped down from the JKF Central Technical Committee. He then became Vice President of the Saitama Karatedo Federation and received the title of Hanshi from All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai.
In February 2004, he became Director General of All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai and Director General of the World Shitoryu Karatedo Federation. In February 2009, he became President of All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai and President of the World Shitoryu Karatedo Federation. Official Shitokai history confirms him as the 5th President of All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai.
His presidency came during an important international period for Shitō-ryū Karatedo. During his leadership, the 6th World Shitō-ryū Karate Championship took place in Beijing, China, in 2009. The 7th World Shitō-ryū Karate Championship took place in Tokyo, Japan, in 2013.
Murata Sensei was also a major technical instructor for Shitō-ryū kata. The Shitokai Kanto District Council records him as an instructor in many Kanto leadership seminars from 1995 through 2008. The listed kata include Shiho Kosokun, Nipaipo, Suparinpei, Kururunfa, Jiin, Matsukaze, Passai Sho, Matsumura Passai, Tomari Passai, Chintei, Wanshu, Unshu, Chatanyara Kusanku, Matsumura Rohai, Itosu Rohai Shodan, Sochin, Shisochin, and many others.
The Japan Karatedo Federation also records Murata Sensei as a Shitō-ryū instructor at the 2015 style-specific basic and kata special seminar. In this seminar, he taught Nipaipo, the second designated kata of Shitō-ryū. This shows his role in preserving official technical standards at the national level.
In 2011, Murata Sensei became a senior advanced coach under the Japan Sports Association. In 2014, he received 9th Dan from All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai. In 2015, he received 9th Dan from the Japan Karatedo Federation. In February 2017, he became Honorary President of All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai.
Murata Sensei held the rank of 9th Dan from both All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai and the Japan Karatedo Federation. He also held the title of Hanshi from both organizations. His major leadership roles included President of All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai, President of the World Shitoryu Karatedo Federation, and Honorary President of All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai.
Sensei Hiroshi Murata passed away on April 29, 2019, at the age of 82.
His career stands as an example of loyalty to the Iwata lineage, technical discipline, and service to Shitō-ryū Karatedo. Through his teaching, examination work, federation leadership, and international responsibilities, Murata Sensei helped preserve and transmit Shitō-ryū standards for future generations.
