52 Masters: Soke Tak Kubota Gosoku Ryu Karate

52 Masters Episode 24: William Christopher Ford trains with and interviews karate legend Soke Tak Kubota at his dojo in Glendale, CA.
Special thanks to Hirano-san, Rod Kuratomi, and Val Mijailovic.
Directed and edited by Jim Towns
Camera and sound by Van Sophano
"52 Masters" series music by Alex Atlantis
52 Masters is produced by William Christopher Ford and Kaizen Dojo Films

[@andrewpacejka1965]

Sadly, we lost Soke earlier this year. His innovation, dedication and, I think more importantly, his charm will be missed.

[@thek.p4899]

his Kubotan is one deadly little weapon

[@FilmaticProductions]

OSU!!! I studied with Kubota Soke and Chico Sensei for four years at Occidental College. Best decision of my life. Can't really remember anything from my academic classes at Oxy, but I remember so many of those classes, especially when I got to be the guinea pig for some hard throws or sternum shots from Soke! So much fun! I loved how he would laugh while jokingly beating on you!

[@garygruber1452]

I started training with Soke Kubota in 1974 shortly after I arrived in California. Even after I left Los Angeles, I would make weekly trips from the Palm Springs area (240 mile round trip) to continue my training.

[@SenseiFord]

👊

[@deejin25]

8 am, just had my morning coffee, and watched a few video on personality types, clicked on this. I watch a the first minute or so of them practicing in the dojo and i immediately get up and start throwing reverse punches. I'm a Kung Fu guy but watching Takayuki Kubota makes me want to stand up and train. I can feel his energy and see the dedication of his black belts. What an inspiring man!

[@KevinLossner]

Thank you for sharing that my old friend and master is still going strong.

[@eric_bee]

I love these episodes. Thank you so much for doing this.

[@SenseiFord]

Thank YOU for watching!

[@ronaldlee7566]

It's amazing to see Soke & Grandmaster Kubota in a great shape at 80 plus age. 🥋👊🤛🤜

[@SenseiFord]

+Rnld Lee He is definitely one of the greats!

[@ronaldlee7566]

@@SenseiFord 👍👍👍

[@kepinahasegawa6466]

Trained in Los Angeles 1965 .. Love this episode .

[@thehastingsdojo2332]

Thankyou so much for sharing and inspiring us all, this episode is a perfect record of a living treasure, and man that class looked hard, keep up the great work, mr clive

[@SenseiFord]

Thank you, Sensei Clive!

[@davidgaribay8966]

It Was Great Seeing you at The Seminar and interview with Our Soke, I started Training Karate in Tijuana Mexico in the 70's Under Shihan Dai Ron Glaubitz , he was a Student of Soke Kubota and opened the IKA Mexico chapter Osu!!!!

[@steveshiroma237]

Thank you Sensei Ford, this brings back so much memories. As a teen, I would see him in the martial arts magazines and the movies... so long ago. Such a great interview. Very happy to see him doing well and healthy.

[@SenseiFord]

Thanks, Steve, as always!

[@jackilong7608]

Thank you so much, I enjoyed this episode as well as earlies ones. I have been blessed to know Soke Kubota for 35 years, and he is an amazing, kind man, always.

[@SenseiFord]

He is one of the greats for sure!

[@duenhasdc]

Simplesmente sensacional!!! Uma parte viva da história!!!

[@Rinebo]

Thank you for all of your videos!

[@SenseiFord]

Thank YOU for watching! 👊

[@CreatureDude]

Had Kubota as an Instructor when I was in Elementary - Middle School. He is amazing!

[@owais146]

THANKS SENSEI LEARNED A LOT OSU....................WELCOME TO SOKE

[@ChristopherShabazz]

I loved this episode very much. I actually got a bit emotional from his answer to your last question. My teachers echo his very words as to what he wants to leave for his students. Also, to practice your kata so you don't forget and will be with you for your life.

[@SenseiFord]

+Sensei Thank you, as always, for watching and for your comment. I look forward to meeting you one day, Sensei Christopher Shabazz! 👊

[@slickx82]

Another awesome episode. As I sit here is self quarantine I can’t help but be inspired by Sensei Kubota life story.

[@jamosensei]

I am a student of one of his highest ranked students, in Fairbanks, AK...none of us are as youthful as we used to be...Soke IS a treasure, and I'm honored to have met him at least once in my lifetime...SEKAI NO KARATE DO, SOKE...OSU!!! Funny...one of my old karate brothers, Kent, is in the training part of the video...also funny that he always stood out, at least to me, for butchering his Japanese pronunciations😁

[@carltaylor5251]

I've just learned that Soke had passed away recently. My condolences goes out to his family friends and love ones.

[@azhakh]

I love this. Respect and Honor ...

[@SenseiFord]

Thank you, Sensei Fariborz!

[@naseerart]

Great! Master

[@ShihanTomCallahan]

OSU! Amazing hardships and perseverance. What a treasure Soke is. SMILE INSIDE :)

[@SenseiFord]

Osu!!!

[@sliderx1897]

Idk how i missed this episode

[@GosokuRyuYodan]

Honored to be Soke's Deshi for 43 years.

[@SenseiFord]

He is truly one of the greats!

[@unclecow]

these are awesome Sensei Ford, thank you

[@SenseiFord]

Thank you so much!!!

[@realtalk9169]

This video is an example of a Okinawan instructors teaching how the teaching has an emphasis on Perfection of technique mostly everybody in the room is not just throwing sloppy weak technique everybody is aiming for perfection Okinawa and karate instructors promote the best karate. As is to be expected because karate as we know it started in Okinawa. Even Japanese who have been known to have karate in their country they still got their start from Okinawan development and it was Funakoshi who presented karate to Japan with the techniques coming from Okinawa.

[@THX-vb8yz]

As my sifu said: "There's only a teacher and a student." And they both can and should be interchangeable.

[@BrennerBay]

James Cann sensei!

[@FaceManBuddha]

OSU Sensei; great stuff; I love real Shihans that convey their essence (authentic transmission") to their Gakuseis/Deshis. Additionally, his stories of how he started and had no money, but with continuing in his Dō, all things came to him via his Karma. Be well Sensei, Osu!

[@SenseiFord]

Thank you for watching and for your kind sentiments! 👊

[@richardcollins6684]

People stormed to the movies to see GM Kubata in the Mechanic. He is Yamoto, killer of the killers. His main instructor breaks his arm during exhibition. He uses one arm to punch, while doing back kicks to his stomach until he falls to the ground.

[@АлисаЗинутина]

Я его видела...Да я занимаюсь карают то есть занималась он приезжал в сумы вроде 3 раза

[@kilawattkidd]

Does anyone know more on this true life story: At some point in the late'60s, early 70's, Chuck Norris walked into Kubotas dojo and had a sparring session with Mr. Kubota. When Chuck would attack (full force/contact), Kubota would simply SLAP away Chucks arms or legs. Chuck could not land a single blow and was so impressed, he trained under Kubota for a time. I am having a hard time finding any information on this period for the both of them. This info was from Black Belt magazine sometime in the late 80's.

[@jamosensei]

My instructor always spoke with reverence when talking about sparring Soke...Soke would say, "hit me hit me hit me" as he continued to easily slap techniques away...and that it felt like you were struck by a rod.

[@IbrahimKhalil-bt9yh]

You should look up 52 block fighting system for the 52 masters

[@SenseiFord]

Great suggestion, thank you!!!

[@IbrahimKhalil-bt9yh]

@@SenseiFord no thank you for being an inspiration in martial art and bridging karate with other martial arts and building deeper understanding. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5qQYZ-lg8mMaaM His name is Burly I would also love to see ninjutsu, kudo, dim mak, tai jutsu and bunkai master make it own your 52 masters journey. Excuse me for the long message and have a nice day

[@smpsmp6974]

Osu from NZ

[@IbrahimKhalil-bt9yh]

Okinawan karate is one of my favorites no doubt, but don't forget Shaolin, also one art that been neglected and unheard of by many is kung fu dog boxing. There's a kiai master mainly focused on warcry kiai. Ironpalm masters as well, we living in an era where people break their hands most of times they start swinging heavy. Is the corona virus putting your 52 journey on hold?

[@KaptainCanuck]

Kubota sensei did not create a style of karate, but simply made a derivative of other Okinawan styles like Shotokan and Shito-ryu, nor did he create a new style before WWII (his is from 1953) which is a requirement for the title of sokay to be granted (just as NO title is simply given (or referred to) by one's self).

[@ken2000X]

Has anyone ever told you that your look reminds them of Gogen Yamaguchi?

[@SenseiFord]

Yes, Sir. I get that sometimes! 👊🙂👍

[@ken2000X]

Kaizen Dojo Films: Motivational Martial Movies heck yeah! That is the first thing I thought when I saw you. Fitting that you train in Goju-ryu.

[@IbrahimKhalil-bt9yh]

You should reach out to Jesse Enkamp aka karate nerd and let him interview you about your journey so more people know about your awesome series

[@SenseiFord]

+Ibrahim Khalil Jesse is great! Here’s hoping!

[@IbrahimKhalil-bt9yh]

@@SenseiFord I hope so, I really think your awesome series needs more exposure. Too bad corona is slowing down production.

[@day-yu3sd]

Hi sensei. It me daylene

[@SenseiFord]

Hi, Daylene!!! 👊😁👍

[@AGC828]

52 different disciplines...should be 52 different styles IMHO...

[@SenseiRiveraIKUNYC]

Osu Sensei Ford! I have a suggestion for a person that you may wish to interview? He was an Uchideshi for Sosai Oyama in Japan. His name is Kaichō David Farzinzad and he runs/operates IKU or International Kyokushin Union, which underscores Sosai's core beliefs. He also has an Organizational called K21 Kid Strong, which is Karate for children with ASD/PDD. He is based in Connecticut and his entire family is in the Union (practices). Again, it is a suggestion, so no worries if it does not interest you (lol), but if so, then I may be able to assist you in contacting him. Osu Sensei Ford! Website: ikudojo.org

[@SenseiFord]

Thank you, Sensei Rivera! 👊

[@SenseiRiveraIKUNYC]

@@SenseiFord OSU!!!