Sensei Nishiyama is a Japanese-American karate master, author, administrator and pioneer. Born in Tokyo in 1928, Hidetaka Nishiyama began his karate training in 1943 under Gichin Funakoshi at the Shotokan (Hall of Whispering Pines). Two years later, while enrolled at Takushoku University, he became a member of the university's karate team, to which in 1949 he was named captain. He was a co-founder of the All Japan Collegiate Karate Federation and was elected its first chairman.

Nishiyama received a Master of Arts degree in economics from Takushoku University in 1951. That same year, he was a co-founder of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) and was elected to the JKA board of Directors.

In 1952, he was selected as a member of the martial arts combat instruction staff for the United States Strategic Air Command (SAC) Combat Training Program. SAC personnel received training in judo, aikido, and karate at the Kodokan. instructors for this program included Gichin Funakoshi, Masatoshi Nakayama, and lsao Obata. In 1953, SAC invited Nishiyama as part of a 10-member Budo Mission from Japan. The team visited SAC bases in the U.S. for three months giving instruction in karate, judo, and aikido.

Karate: The Art of Empty-Hand Fighting co-written by Nishiyama and published in 1960, is considered the definitive textbook on the subject. In its 70th printing , it is believed to be the best selling karate text book in history.

In July 1961, SAC karate students and JKA members residing in the United States invited Nishiyama to visit America. Later that year, he organized the All American Karate Federation (AAKF) as a nationally based amateur karate organization. In November of the same year, Nishiyama organized the first National Karate Championship in Los Angeles, California where he also established his dojo. Since then, Nishiyama has been a major force in the propagation of the Shotokan style of karate in the U.S. and abroad.

In 1965, Nishiyama organized a committee with the cooperation of the major Japanese karate styles that led to the first United States vs. Japan Goodwill Karate Tournament. Because of the participation of the All Japan Collegiate Karate Team, this event became the first truly international karate competition.

In 1968, Nishiyama organized the first World Invitational Karate Tournament held at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in conjunction with the Olympic Commemorative Tournament hosted by the Mexico Karate Federation in Mexico City. A conference, which took place during the tournament, culminated in an agreement to form an international karate organization and to hold The first World Championship in Tokyo. In 1970, during a reorganization of the AAKF as the traditional karate governing body, the JKA Karate group separated and became the JKA-US, part of the AAKF.

Nishiyama continued as Chairman of the JKA-US and also as Chairman of the AAKF. In April 1970, the AAKF became a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee. In 1973, Nishiyama co-founded the Pan American Karate Union (PAKU) and was elected its First Executive Director. The first PAKU Championship was staged in Rio de Janeiro.

Based on a 1968 agreement formed at a Mexico City conference, tournaments were held in Tokyo (1970) and Paris (1973). These World Championships resulted in disagreements caused by the lack of a formal international organization. An international meeting followed in New York City resulting in the formation of the International Amateur Karate Federation (IAKF) with Nishiyama elected as its Executive Director. The first IAKF World Championship was held in Los Angeles in 1975.

Nishiyama oversaw the formation of the Mediterranean Karate Championship Committee and Bolivian Karate Federation in 1976. Also that year, acting on behalf of the IAKF, he submitted an application to the International Olympic Committee seeking Olympic recognition for Karate.

In 1977 Nishiyama supported the formation of the Central America/Caribbean Karate Confederation and the Asia/Oceania Amateur Karate Federation. In 1979, in accordance with U.S. Public Law regulating national amateur sports governing bodies, the All American Karate Federation was succeeded by the American Amateur Karate Federation, a public benefit, non-profit corporation. Nishiyama was elected its first President.

In 1981, Nishiyama lent support to the formation of the South American Karate Confederation and the North American Karate Confederation.

In 1985, the IAKF changed its name to the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) because the word "karate" had become a generic term applied to a variety of kicking/punching sports. The ITKF, under Nishiyama's direction, wanted to make clear that it was the governing body of traditional karate. In 1987, the IOC officially confirmed that the ITKF was the governing body for traditional karate.

Nishiyama's reputation has spread foremost because of his superior technical expertise and his disciplined instruction.  Among his former students are All Japan Karate Champions Hiroshi Shirai and Takeshi Oishi. He has trained a host of international and national instructors, national champions and celebrities.

Nishiyama continues to instruct at the Central Dojo in Los Angeles and conducts a busy schedule conducting seminars and courses around the U.S. and abroad. He is also producing new texts and manuals, as well as instructional videotapes concerning traditional karate.

HONORS

US Flag Flown Over Capital

The U.S. Senate honored Hidetaka Nishiyama, Master of Traditional Karate, President of the American Amateur Karate Federation (AAKF) and Chairman of the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF), on October 10, 1999 by flying the flag of the United States over the U.S. Capitol in his name.

At the request of U.S. Senator Gorton Slade of Washington, the formal announcement letter stated: "I would like to thank you for your many years of service to this country. Your efforts in bringing the art of Karate to the United States Armed Forces has been immeasurable. On behalf of your grateful students and friends, I wish you the best in your many endeavors.”

Honored by Emperor of Japan

On November 3, 2000, Master Hidetaka Nishiyama, Chairman of the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) and President of the American Amateur Karate Federation (AAKF), was recognized by the Japanese government for his worldwide promotion of Japanese culture as a Master Instructor of Traditional Karate

His half century of meritorious contributions were personally honored by the Emperor of Japan in a special ceremony conducted at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo; where, the "Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette" was awarded to nishiyama. It was the first time in the history of Japanese national awards that such recognition was granted to Traditional Karate, and reflected Master Nishiyama's lifelong contributions to the development of the superior physical, mental and spiritual aspects of Traditional Karate.

Master Nishiyama was one of only eleven recipients from outside of Japan that were honored at that year's ceremonies for their contributions to Japanese culture.

Highest Medal Awarded on October 14, 2001 in Poland

On the occasion of the First Traditional Karate Men's World Cup, the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland was bestowed upon Nishiyama by the President of Poland, Mr. Aleksander Kwasniewski on October 14, 2001.  The medal recognizes Nishiyama's contributions to the physical and mental well being of the citizens of Poland through the development of Traditional Karate.  The award ceremony was conducted at the opening of the World Cup which was itself an historic milestone for both Poland's Traditional Karate program and the development of ITKF worldwide.