Kancho Yoshikazu Matsushima (9th Dan) was born on April 23rd, 1947. He commenced training at Ikebukuro Dojo in Japan. He has taught karate throughout the world and appeared in movies, television shows and magazines promoting Kyokushin Karate.
Kancho Matsushima was selected by Sosai Mas Oyama to appear in the Kyokushin book "Advanced Karate". In 1989, Sosai Oyama presented him with a prestigious honour for his contribution to Kyokushin Karate.
Kancho and his wife, Mikiko-san, travel worldwide to tournaments, teaching seminars and clinics to adults and children of all ranks. They have traveled to Canada numerous times to be the honorary guests at our national juniors tournament, the Matsushima Challenge, hosted every May in Montreal by West Island Karate. Kancho Matsushima and Mikiko-san generously give their time to others and are always very kind and approachable. They are often seen at the tournaments and clinics giving autographs, writing children's names in Japanese on their dogis and posing for pictures with the kids.
