 Shihan Kazuo Ito, 10th Dan, Meijin Born 1898 - Died 1974.
Born 1898 in Shinjo City, Yamagata, Japan Ito Kazuo Sensei began studying martial arts with his father when he was young. Thus began a lifelong dedication to the study of traditional Japanese martial arts. After graduating from Meiji University in 1924, he bacame a member of the Mifune school. Ito Sensei began teaching in the Nihon Physical Education University. Also he was appointed as an examiner at the Kodokan. Between 1928 and 1930, he became a judo instructor of the Tokyo Metropolitan police, and a professor of physical education at Toyo University and the National Military College. In 1941 Ito Sensei was awarded the position of Kyodo, from the Kodokan, and was promoted to Kodokan 8th dan in 1945.
With the cessation of hostilites, and the end of the Second World War in 1945, significant changes were brought to Japan. Social and Economic conditions were devastated, and there was virtually no work to be found. During the initial years of the Allied occupation the practice of martial arts in public facilities was prohibited. Through tireless efforts and numerous consultations with the occupying authorities Ito Sensei arranged to have judo reinstated as part of the physical education curriculum at Japanese public schools.
In 1946 Ito Sensei was appointed to the highest ranking Kodokan examiners committee. In 1951 he bacame a lecturer at Kogakuin and Nihon physical culture universities, and participated in the establishment of the organization that was to later become Kokusai Budoin, IMAF. He was appointed Shihan of the Meijigakuin University Judo club in 1954 and promoted to Kodokan 9th dan in 1958.
In 1963 Ito Sensei became the first IMAF Chief Director, and Shihan of the Judo division. In 1968 he traveled to 10 countries and 30 locations demonstrating basic and advanced judo techniques with Shizuya Sato 6th dan on the Judo World Tour, and in 1970 spent one month training the national police, members of the military and civilian in Panama.
In 1971 Ito Sensei was promoted to Kokusai Budoin, IMAF Judo 10th dan Meijin, awarded the national citation for outstanding leadership, the Kunsho medal in 1972, and in 1974 received the IMAF Kenkosho award from Prince Higashikuni.
Throughout his life, Ito Kazuo Sensei strove to promote traditional Japanese martial arts. Among his numerous achievements, perhaps following most significant, his efforts to restore judo instruction as part of the national physical education curriculum in Japanese public schools and universites. And his participation in the establishment of IMAF in order to suport the study of Japanese martial arts in Japan and around the world.
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