Masatoshi Nakayama is a legendary figure in the world of karate. Born in 1913, he began his martial arts journey under the tutelage of Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate. A pivotal moment arrived in 1949 when Nakayama co-founded the Japan Karate Association (JKA) alongside Funakoshi.
Nakayama played a key role in shaping Shotokan karate into a dynamic and globally recognized martial art. His contributions extended beyond teaching as he pioneered karate competitions and authored influential books that popularized the style. Nakayama's legacy lives on through the millions of karate practitioners worldwide who have been inspired by his work.