Sensei Tokio Hisatomi (1927 to 2013)
久冨 登喜雄 先生
A Life of Teaching, Leadership, and Service to Shitō-ryū Karatedo
Sensei Tokio Hisatomi, 久冨登喜雄 先生, also written in some sources as 久富登喜雄 先生, was one of the senior postwar leaders of Shitō-ryū Karatedo and All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai. His life was deeply connected to karate education, technical development, federation leadership, and the preservation of the teachings of Sensei Kenwa Mabuni.
Hisatomi Sensei was born on February 12, 1927, in Mitsui-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. In 1947, he entered Toyo University and joined its Karatedo Club. By 1951, he became captain of the Toyo University Karatedo Club, showing early leadership and dedication to karate training.
Around 1950, according to his own recollection, Hisatomi Sensei began learning karate directly under Sensei Kenwa Mabuni at the Yoshukan dojo. This connection placed him close to the source of Shitō-ryū Karatedo and gave him a direct link to the teachings of the founder.
In March 1953, Hisatomi Sensei graduated from the Literature Department of Toyo University. In April of the same year, he became a teacher at Kurume Commercial High School in Fukuoka. In October 1953, he founded the school’s Karatedo Club and began teaching karate to young students. This became one of the most important parts of his life’s work. Through education, discipline, and technical instruction, he helped develop karate among the younger generation in Kyushu.
His contribution to high school karate was significant. In 1955, he helped separate the high school division from the All Kyushu Student Federation. He worked as chief secretary and chief judge, helped establish the All Kyushu High School Karatedo Federation, and served as an officer. In 1958, he helped found the Fukuoka High School Federation and organized its first championship. He continued to strengthen the organization through his work as chief judge and chief secretary.
In April 1959, Hisatomi Sensei founded the Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai Kurume Branch. This marked an important step in the development of Shitokai in Fukuoka. His work combined dojo instruction, school education, organization building, and technical leadership.
In 1968, he helped establish the Fukuoka Karatedo Federation. As the Shitokai representative, he became a board member and standing director. In 1978, after high school karate entered the Kyushu High School Athletic Association structure, he stepped down from board work and focused more deeply on teaching the younger generation. During this period, he also served in important technical and judging roles, including qualification judge, domestic referee, and international referee.
His senior ranks and titles reflected decades of serious training and service. In March 1979, he received 8th Dan from the Japan Karatedo Federation. In March 1997, he received the title Hanshi from the Japan Karatedo Federation. In October 1997, he received Hanshi from Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai. In January 2000, he received 9th Dan from JKF Shitokai. In March 2006, he received 9th Dan from the Japan Karatedo Federation.
Hisatomi Sensei also served in many high-level leadership positions. From April 1997 to March 2003, he served as President of the Fukuoka Karatedo Federation. In June 1999, he became Counselor of the Japan Karatedo Federation. In February 2001, he became Chairman of the Board and Acting President of JKF Shitokai.
In February 2004, Hisatomi Sensei became the 4th President of All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai. His leadership helped guide Shitokai through an important period of national and international development. During his presidency, the 5th World Shitō-ryū Karatedo Championship was held in Tokyo in 2006. In 2008, he was listed as President, Kaicho, of the World Shitoryu Karatedo Federation.
In February 2009, Hisatomi Sensei became Honorary President of JKF Shitokai. He was succeeded as Shitokai President by Sensei Hiroshi Murata, who became the 5th President of All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai.
Hisatomi Sensei was also a senior technical authority in Shitokai. He served as Technical Headquarters Director, 技術本部長, of All Japan Karatedo Federation Shitokai. Through this role, he helped guide official Shitō-ryū kata instruction, technical standards, and educational material. His work included the preservation of kihon, kata explanation, bunkai kumite, technical key points, and common corrections for proper Shitō-ryū practice.
In 1989, Hisatomi Sensei retired as Principal of Kurume Commercial High School, but his service to karate continued. In 1992, he received the Distinguished Service in Sports Prize from the Fukuoka Gymnastic Association. In 2002, he received the Japan Martial Arts Distinguished Service Medal at Nippon Budokan.
Sensei Tokio Hisatomi passed away on August 27, 2013.
His legacy stands in three major areas. First, he held a direct connection to Sensei Kenwa Mabuni and the early transmission of Shitō-ryū Karatedo. Second, he helped build karate education and organization in Kyushu, especially through high school karate and the Kurume Branch. Third, he served Shitokai and WSKF at the highest levels, helping preserve technical standards and guide the international growth of Shitō-ryū.
Through his life as a teacher, principal, technical leader, examiner, referee, federation officer, and president, Hisatomi Sensei gave lasting service to Shitō-ryū Karatedo. His name remains connected with discipline, education, technical responsibility, and dedication to the future generations of karate practitioners.
