YOSEIKAN ;JAPAN/AUSTRALIA Biographies
The following descriptions are solely those illustrated by the Scottish Yoseikan karate & ju jitsu organisation and are not reflected by those Shihans and senior Sensei within their own
individual organisations.
MASTER MINORU MOCHIZUKI (founder)
YOSEIKAN RYU
passed away on the 30/05/2003 inAIX-EN-PROVENCE aged 96 master Mochizuki was the last of the great martial arts masters having trained and studied within many disciplines of Budo.
The last few years of his life was spent under the care of his son HIROO MOCHIZUKI.
THE LIVING LEGEND HAS PASSED AWAY INTO HISTORY.
TERUO SANO (HANSHI) YOSEIKAN RYU
Teruo Sano Sensei's Martial Arts experience dates back over 50 years. His qualifications include 9th Dan in karate and 7th Dan in jujutsu. He is also an expert in a multitude of traditional martial art weapons. Sano Sensei portrays an image of a man with inner strength, patience and understanding.
Sano Sensei can still remember his first karate lesson. He was only seven years of age at the time. His instructor's name was Baba Sensei. Karate was still in its infancy in Japan. He started karate because he wanted to be strong. Little did he know at that time that karate would dominate his life so completely?
"My inspiration comes from my students" stated Sano Sensei, when interviewed by The Australasian Fighting Magazine in 1990. "I'm past the stage of having older instructors to look up to."
Sano Sensei has two reasons for teaching internationally. The first is to develop Yoseikan and the second is for East and West to gain a better understanding of each other and their cultures. Ignorance breads fear and understanding develops mutual respect and friendship.
"Karate provides an opportunity for young people to develop personal communication skills. You cannot learn communication from a book."
On his last trip to Australia Sano Sensei stated, "Students should not only think of the physical benefits of karate. Karate has many subtle benefits. Look below the surface. Anyone can kick and punch. It is discovering one's inner strength that is the essence of karate. Students must be prepared to open their minds
Branco Bratich (Shihan)
Yoseikan Australia
Successor to Sano Sensei.
Tony Smith commenced his karate training with Branco Bratich in 1978. He started his training because of his friends. He believed that it was a simple way of solving any problems he had.
Tony visited several karate schools in his search for the style that most suited to him. He finally decided on Yoseikan. He liked the hard style of training.
Tony has played a major role in the development of Yoseikan in Australia. He has risen to the rank of 6th Dan, which makes him one of Yoseikan most experienced instructors.
Master Teruo Sano, 9th Dan, personally presented Tony with his 6th Dan in March 1999.
