Yoshio (John) Katsuta

Highlights

  • Founded Alberta's first judo club in Raymond in 1943.
  • First President of the Alberta Black Belt Association founded in 1952.
  • Inspirational in establishing the annual Katsuta Cup Tournament that is attended by over 300 competitors from Alberta and the United States.
  • Elected Life member of Judo Canada in 1983.
  • Awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada in 1992.
  • Awarded 6th degree black belt from Judo Canada in 1994.

Background

  • Yoshio Katsuta was born March 15, 1904 in Okayama, Japan.
  • By age 15 he was involved in Judo and trained in Okayama as well as in Tokyo at the Kodokan (largest judo school in Japan) and by age 18 earned a black belt.
  • He began instructing and also studied chiropractic because he believed a good instructor must have knowledge of chiropractic techniques to help injured athletes.
  • In 1934, Mr. Katsuta, then a 4th degree black belt, moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and then in 1942 was re-located to Raymond where he founded Alberta's first judo club in 1943. The Raymond Judo Club, home to around 60 young, mostly Japanese Canadians, originated at the local Buddhist church.
  • Mr. Katsuta traveled far and wide in the Province giving Judo demonstrations and encouraging the opening of clubs in many cities and towns.
  • Many of his students, including Yoshio Senda (now 9th degree black belt), Guy Sunada (now International A referee) and Glen Iwaasa (now Raymond Club instructor) continue to promote the sport today.
  • Mr. Katsuta passed away on December 20, 1997 at the age of 93 years.

Accomplishments

  • Mr. Katsuta served as the first President of Judo Alberta upon its formation in 1952.
  • He received the Centennial Medal in 1967.
  • In 1987 he was awarded the prestigious Hokkaido Cup from the Governor of Japan.
  • Judo Canada honored him in 1983 with a lifetime membership in recognition of his long and distinguished service to the sport. In 1985 Katsuta was named honorary chairman of the Canadian Senior Judo Tournament.
  • In 1987 he was inducted into the Raymond Sports Hall of Fame.
  • In 1996 Judo Canada honoured him with an induction into the Judo Canada Hall of Fame.
  • He achieved the Judo grade of 6th degree black belt in 1994.
  • In 2005 Mr Katsuta received the Alberta Centennial Salute to Sport and Recreation Award, in recognition of his outstanding contributions.

Philosophy

Mr. Katsuta’s main goal in teaching judo was to help develop the mind and body so that the individual would evolve into a good human being who would contribute to family and society.

Like the precepts taught by his teachers, he wanted to maintain the essence of judo which goes beyond self defence, technical skills and sports and rather integrates the mind, spirit and body so that the person would develop as a unified being. It is about self-mastery – a way of being – that would be reflected in all aspects of one’s thoughts and behaviour in daily life. He believed that by following the path of judo for a long time, many elements in one’s personality become refined as inner clarity, alignment and harmony are achieved. “One becomes aware experientially rather than intellectually”. That feeling of direct knowingness that cannot be put in words. The focus is on conquering the “foes” within rather than external opponents.