SENSEI EDWARD M. TAKAE
Sensei Edward Takae was born on February 28, 1926 in Honuapo, Hawaii. His father was a chemist-bookkeeper that lived on a Hawaiian sugar plantation. He started Kendo training when he was eight years old, after which he went on to study Judo. To this day, Sensei Takae gives credit to the training he received in Kendo for his later success in Karate tournaments.
It was not until he was stationed in Okinawa in the early 60’s, that Sensei Takae continued his training in the martial arts. He was in his early 30’s when he started training under Sensei Zenryo Shimabukuro. Historically Karate Senseis were very selective in who they would take into their dojo as new students, Sensei Shimabukuro was no different. His training consisted of vigorous training seven days a week, and at times he would train twice a day with Sensei Shimabukuro.
Very few if any students were taken in as Sensei Takae was by Sensei Shimabukuro. Zenryo Sensei was most impressed by his dedication, power and character so much so that in 1965, Sensei Takae was chosen to receive a “Shihan Menjo” or “Masters License” from Sensei Shimabukuro. A Menjo is given to an exceptional student by a Sensei. Generally the Menjo is given only once in a lifetime by a Sensei and sometimes never. The receiving of a Menjo is the highest honor that a Sensei can bestow on a student. To our knowledge, Sensei Takae is the only one to receive a Shihan Menjo from this great Sensei.
While under the direct training of Sensei Shimabukuro, Sensei Takae, who was a member of the United States Army 1st Special Forces Group stationed at Kadena Airbase, became known for his exceptional fighting ability. During a tournament on May 17, 1964 Sensei Takae, who was a Nidan at the time, defeated all contending black belts to take the All Okinawan Karate Championship. Amazingly none of the other competitors were able to score a single point on the champion, a feat unheard of then or today.
Keeping with a request made by Sensei Shimabukuro, Sensei Takae preserved and upheld the teaching of the late Sensei. Sensei Takae was instrumental in the birth of the…
“International Seibukan
Karate-Do Association”
