A Story of Faith, Determination, and a Grandmother’s Promise
On January 8th, 1957, in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, a child was born into a loving family—his mother Hiroko Kitagawa, his father Yoshie Shiraishi, and a grandmother whose belief would one day shape history: Natsu Kitagawa.
But from the very beginning, life presented a challenge. The child’s legs were affected by spasticity. Doctors examined him and spoke with clinical certainty: “This child may never walk properly. You should consider a wheelchair.”
The room fell silent. Then Natsu Kitagawa stepped forward, her voice calm yet unshakable:
“No. He will walk. He will run.”
That moment was not just defiance—it was destiny being rewritten.
Carried by Love
From that day on, Natsu made a lifelong commitment.
Every morning, she would gently lift the boy onto her back and carry him—through the streets of Imabari, to school, and everywhere life needed him to be.
People questioned her.
“Why struggle so much? The doctors have already said…”
She would simply smile:
“You will see. He will walk.”
At home, his mother Hiroko watched with deep emotion—worried, yet hopeful. His father Yoshie Shiraishi stood with quiet strength, trusting the path being carved by faith.
And the child, though young, began to absorb something powerful—not limitation, but belief.
The First Miracle
Days turned into months. Then came the moment no one expected—except his grandmother.
With support, he stood.
His legs trembled. His body resisted. But he stood.
The doctors were surprised.
“This is beyond expectation…”
But Natsu only said:
“This is only the beginning.”
Soon, with knee supports, he began to walk independently.
What was once considered impossible was now reality.
Running Beyond Limits
By the time he reached Grade 3, something even greater happened.
He began to run.
At the school’s annual sports meet, he stood at the starting line. Some watched with curiosity, others with doubt.
The signal was given.
He ran—with determination, with courage, with heart.
And when the race ended, he had secured third place.
Looking into the crowd, he saw his grandmother.
Her eyes filled with tears—not of pain, but of pride.
Years later, he would recall:
“I still remember the warmth of my grandmother… and the heat of her tears that day.”
The Door to Karate
In high school, destiny knocked again.
One day, he stood outside a dojo, quietly observing the practice inside. The sharp movements, the discipline, the spirit—it all drew him in.
Suddenly, a voice called out:
“Why are you standing there? Come inside.”
Before he could hesitate, he was pulled into the dojo.
“If you are watching, you must train.”
That was his first step into Shotokan Karate under Nakayama Sensei.
The Path of Masters
Training was not easy—but hardship was something he had already conquered once in life.
After the passing of Nakayama Sensei, he continued under the legendary Tetsuhiko Asai Sensei, playing an active role in the Japan Karate Shotorenmei (JKS).
Then came another turning point—the passing of Asai Sensei.
This time, he chose to create.
The Birth of a Legacy
With courage and vision, he founded his own ryuha:
SANKUKAI
Later formally established as Nihon Shotokan Karate-Do SANKUKAI™, a trademarked organization, representing a unique path within the world of Shotokan Karate.
This was not merely an organization.
It was the expression of a life story—
A system built on resilience, shaped by experience, and guided by unwavering spirit.
From Imabari to the World
From a child once carried on his grandmother’s back…
To a master guiding thousands across the globe.
Soke Takeshi Kitagawa began teaching internationally—starting in Princeton and later expanding to Seattle. Today, Nihon Shotokan Karate-Do SANKUKAI™, the trademarked organization, continues to grow across:
- India
- Brazil
- Sri Lanka
- UAE
- Europe and Asia
Each dojo carries not just techniques—but the spirit of overcoming.
The Voice That Never Fades
Even today, behind every achievement, there is an echo:
“He will walk. He will run.”
The voice of Natsu Kitagawa.
A grandmother who refused limitation.
A woman whose belief created a legacy.
This is not just a story from the past—it is a living inspiration.
The journey of Soke Takeshi Kitagawa, from a child who was once unable to walk to the founder of Nihon Shotokan Karate-Do SANKUKAI™, stands as a powerful reminder of what belief, perseverance, and guidance can achieve. It is a story shaped by the unwavering faith of his grandmother, Natsu Kitagawa, strengthened by the support of his family, and refined through the discipline of true masters.
For every SANKUKAI practitioner and every Shotokan lover, this story is more than history—it is a responsibility.
A responsibility to:
- Believe beyond limitations
- Train with sincerity and spirit
- Respect the lineage and the path laid by the masters
The voice of his grandmother still echoes through every dojo:
“He will walk. He will run.”
Today, that voice lives within every student who steps onto the floor with determination.
This is the spirit of SANKUKAI.
This is the legacy we carry forward.
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Mohandas C U
A am very happy,, Because I can take a membership in Sankukai Nihon Shotokhan Karate Dojo, I thinks I am lucky, I have get Loving Respected Master, Kyoshi Arundev Sensie, and to by The Legend Soke Tekeshi Kitagawa I Humbly respect My Both of Teachers🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻