Katsuo Yamamoto (born July 10, 1938, died February 12, 2017) was the founder of Yoshukai Karate. His journey in martial arts began in Miyakonojo, Japan, driven by a desire to become stronger after being attacked as a teenager. Initially studying judo, Yamamoto transitioned to karate at age 15, training under Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose, the founder of Chito-Ryu Karate, a style rooted in Okinawan traditions. Yamamoto excelled under Chitose’s guidance, becoming one of his top students and a dominant competitor. From 1960 to 1963, he was considered Japan’s top karate competitor, retiring undefeated as the All Japan Karate Champion in 1961.

Yamamoto’s competitive success and innovative approach led Chitose to grant him permission to establish his own branch of Chito-Ryu, initially named Yoshukan, in 1959 when Yamamoto and his wife, Sumiko, opened their first dojo in Kitakyushu, Japan. In 1963, Chitose officially recognized Yamamoto’s system as Yoshukai (meaning "Training Hall of Continued Improvement" or "Striving for Excellence"), changing the third kanji from "kan" (stand-alone) to "kai" (association) to reflect its potential for growth. Yamamoto’s nickname, “Crazy Horse,” stemmed from his long black hair and imposing physique, and his feats—like breaking concrete, ice, and even fighting a Bengal tiger—cemented his legendary status.

In 1971, Yamamoto split from Chitose and the Chito-Kai Federation. He then fully developed Yoshukai Karate, incorporating new fighting techniques and traditional Okinawan weapons (kobudo) such as nunchaku, bo, sai,, tonfa, and katana. This marked Yoshukai as a distinct Japanese karate style, separate from Chito-Ryu’s Okinawan roots.

Yoshukai Karate traces its roots to the broader history of karate, which originated in Okinawa over 300 years ago, influenced by Chinese martial arts. Okinawa’s strategic location and weapon bans in the 1500s and 1600s fostered the development of “empty hand” combat (karate). These techniques spread to Japan in the early 1900s, where they evolved into modern karate-do.

Yamamoto’s Yoshukai Karate, established in 1963, built on Chito-Ryu but introduced innovations, including full-contact sparring rules developed with Mas Oyama of Kyokushinkai Karate, moving away from the non-contact “sun dome” rules. Yoshukai emphasizes kata (forms), kumite (sparring), and kobudo, blending traditional Okinawan weapons training with karate. Its philosophy, encapsulated by “Kenkyo-sa Kara Yushu” (Excellence from Humility), prioritizes self-improvement, respect, and discipline.

Yoshukai spread globally through Yamamoto’s students. In 1966, Mike Foster, an American serviceman who trained under Yamamoto in Japan, brought Yoshukai to the United States, becoming its director until 1980 when he split to form Yoshukai International Karate, adapting techniques for Western practitioners. In 1969, Yuki Koda arrived in the U.S., establishing U.S. Yoshukai Karate with Yamamoto’s support, opening schools primarily in Alabama and California. Yoshukai gained recognition as the “Actual Fighting Karate” due to demonstrations of extreme physical feats, like Yamamoto breaking 500 pounds of ice with an elbow strike in 2001.

By the late 20th century, Yoshukai had tens of thousands of practitioners worldwide, but organizational splits in the U.S. led to multiple factions, including Yoshukai International and the World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization (WYKKO). Despite these divisions, Yoshukai remains practiced in Asia, Europe, Latin America, Australia, and North America.

The World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization (WYKKO) is the only organization outside Japan officially recognized and certified by Grandmaster Katsuo Yamamoto. Founded in 2000 with Yamamoto’s permission, it was established by Hiroaki Toyama and Mike Culbreth, both long-time students of Yamamoto and Yuki Koda.

Hiroaki Toyama: Began studying martial arts (kendo and judo) at 13 and joined Yoshukai in 1971 under Yamamoto at the Honbu Dojo in Kitakyushu. In 1975, he moved to the U.S. to assist Koda in Alabama, later becoming a top competitor and National Champion. Toyama, an 8th Dan, serves as WYKKO’s President (Kaicho).

Mike Culbreth: Started Yoshukai in 1974 in Brewton, Alabama, under Koda’s guidance. He became a national competitor, placing second in Japan’s Knock-Down Karate Championships in 1982 and 1984. Culbreth, also an 8th Dan, is WYKKO’s Vice President (Hu-Kaicho). In 2013, Yamamoto awarded him the title of Kaicho and a gold belt.

Yuki Koda: A key figure in U.S. Yoshukai, Koda arrived in 1969 and worked under Foster initially before leading U.S. Yoshukai until his death in 1997. His influence bridged Yamamoto’s teachings to WYKKO’s formation.

WYKKO was formed after Koda’s death to continue Yamamoto’s legacy in the U.S. under his direct authorization. It emphasizes traditional Yoshukai techniques, kobudo, and values, with over 1,000 members across more than 30 branches in states like Florida, Alabama, Texas, Georgia, California, Missouri, Nebraska, and New Mexico. Yamamoto remained active with WYKKO, visiting the U.S. until 2016, and his passing in 2017 was commemorated with a memorial service in Los Angeles led by Fuku-Kaicho Gerry Blank.