Soke Watanabe Passed Away
On Tuesday, April 5th 2022, our Beloved Soke Yasutoshi 'Moon' Watanabe passed away.
Soke Watanabe was a Living Legend in the martial arts world and most specifically Judo. He started taking Judo at the age of 11 at the Honolulu YMCA with Sensei Yamamoto. He was a very dedicated and diligent student. So much so, that by the age of 23 he won the Hawaiian Islands Judo Championship.
During his adult life, he was an electronics assembler for the GTE/Lenkurt company in San Carlos. On the side, he operated a deli with his wife Adele, while also finding the time to continue teaching Judo in such places as the Hui Makaala Judo Club in the 1950's.
He's been a highly respected and gifted instructor all is life. Among his students over the years were the son (Ron) of Danzan Ryu's founder, Henry Okazaki, and the wife (Bernice) of Small Circle Jiu Jitsu founder, Wally Jay.
In September 2013, at the age of 86, he was bestowed the title of Honorary Soke, by Soke Frank Sanchez of the World Head of Family/Sokeship Council.
Soke Watanabe was also influential to the GSJK/CKK system as the co-creator, when he was 35, of the Mountain/Moon patch which we proudly wear. The M/M patch that Soke Watanabe wears is blue and GSJk/CKK's is black.
Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to all of the friends and family in this time of loss.
