Hideyuki Ashihara An outstanding karate master, a student of Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of Ashihara KarateAn outstanding karate master, a student of Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of Ashihara Karate Date of Birth: 05.12.1944 Country: Japan

1. Early Life and Childhood
2. Move to Tokyo and Introduction to Karate
3. Dedication and Advancement in Kyokushin
4. Development in Shikoku and Creation of Sabaki Concept
5. Break from Kyokushin and Establishment of Ashihara Karate
6. Later Years and Legacy

Early Life and Childhood

Hideyuki Ashihara was born on December 5, 1944, in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Growing up in the small village of Nomichi with his grandparents, Ashihara was a rebellious and spirited youth, often engaging in fights. At the age of ten, he began practicing Kendo.

Move to Tokyo and Introduction to Karate

In 1960, at the age of 15, Ashihara moved to Tokyo and found employment at a gas station, where he worked for six years. In September 1961, he became fascinated with karate and took up weightlifting. He trained at Oyama's dojo, which later became the Kyokushin headquarters.

Dedication and Advancement in Kyokushin

Ashihara demonstrated remarkable dedication to karate, attending every training session. His perseverance paid off when he successfully passed the Shodan (first dan) exam on March 26, 1964. In 1966, Ashihara became a Kyokushin instructor (Senpai) and was scheduled to go to Brazil to promote the style. However, an incident in which he seriously injured five attackers during a fight led to his suspension for two months.

Development in Shikoku and Creation of Sabaki Concept

Despite his suspension, Ashihara later returned to Kyokushin and was sent to develop the style in Nomura, Shikoku. He successfully established a dojo there, and in 1969, he was transferred to Yawatahama. During this time, Ashihara developed the principle of sabaki (fast solution), focusing on four combat stances, distance assessment, and maximum mobility in combat.

Break from Kyokushin and Establishment of Ashihara Karate

As Ashihara's organization expanded rapidly, it created tensions with Kyokushin instructors in neighboring areas. To avoid conflict, Ashihara was offered a high position in Kyokushin headquarters in 1978, but he declined, preferring to continue developing his own karate. In September 1980, he founded the new international karate organization, NIKO Ashihara Kaikan, where he continued to refine his art, which became known as Ashihara Karate.

Later Years and Legacy

In the early 1990s, Ashihara's health deteriorated, and he passed away on April 24, 1995, at the age of 50. His legacy lives on through the NIKO Ashihara Kaikan organization, which continues to promote and teach Ashihara Karate worldwide.