Master Teruyuki Higa

Master Teruyuki Higa, a native Okinawan, is a 7th degree black belt in Okinawa Kenpo, and U.S. Representative of the "Okinawa Kenpo Karate-Do Association".  He came to this country on a mission to spread the teachings of traditional Okinawan Karate.  While living in Okinawa, he studied under one of the most famous Okinawan karate masters, Shigeru Nakamura, tenth degree black belt and founder of the Okinawa Kenpo Karate-Do Association.

While a member of the karate club at the University of Ryukyu, he was also inspired by other practitioners in various styles of Okinawan Karate.  As soon as he graduated from the university in 1967, Master Higa officially opened his own karate school in Shuri, Naha City.  He was only 23 years old, and the youngest certified karate instructor at that time.  In 1968, while working at the Ryukyu government in Okinawa, he founded the "Government Karate Club" where he taught many government employees.

For more information on Master Higa's credentials, please feel free to examine Master Higa's Resume or view a video.

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Okinawan Titles

He was know as one of the best fighters in Okinawa

• 1966, 2nd place - All Okinawa Kenpo Karate Tournament
• 1967, Champion - All Okinawan & American Karate Championships.
• 1967, 2nd place - All Okinawan Open Karate Championships.  Than year he also gave a special demonstration and fighting exhibition at the All Japan Chito-Ryu Karate Tournament in Kumamoto-Ken, Japan.
• 1968, Named one of the top ten winners of the All Okinawa Open Karate Championship and 3rd place- Okinawa top ten finals.

In America

In 1972, Master Higa came to America and opened a karate school in Long Island, NY.  He competed actively throughout the east coast of the United States and won more than 20 tournaments from 1972 to 1974.  He performed at:

• "The Martial Arts Expo" at Chattanooga Tennessee
• "All South Karate Championships" sponsored by Master Mikami in Louisiana
• "Wah Lum Invitational Martial Arts Championships" sponsored by Master Poi Chan, Boston, Mass
• "Hollywood Martial Arts Action Contest" sponsored by Sho Kosugi in Los Angeles

Tour

In January 1975, he began his martial arts demonstration tour throughout major cities in Israel.  In Venezuela, he performed demonstrations with actor Jim Kelly and other famous masters.   In 1974 and 1978, he was named one of the top stars in karate by Official Karate Magazine.  Since 1975, he appeared in many T.V. programs in the U.S. and Japan, including ABC's Wide World of Sports.

White House and Movies

In 1980, Master Higa co-starred in Bruce Lee's autobiography, "Fist of Fear, Touch of Death." In May, 1988, Master Higa was honorably invited by President Ronald Reagan to attend the proclamation ceremony and reception for the Asian Pacific American Heritage Week, in Washington D.C. There, he performed a martial arts demonstration at the Sulvan Theater in commemoration of this special occasion.

Master Higa At The Whitehouse Honored By President Ronald Regan

Karate, Education

He trained and entered one of his women black belt students in "The World Professional Full Contact Karate Championships" held at the Nassau Coliseum on May 10th, 1975, where she won the first woman's Championship Title match ever held in the United States.  Master Higa has performed at various martial arts shows held at Madison Square Garden and at Nassau Coliseum.  He has produced a Video demonstrating both Empty Hand Self Defense and use of traditional Okinawan weapons.  Currently, Master Higa has his own successful  karate school in East Meadow, NY and is teaching at Hofstra University.

Master Higa Breaking 30 Boards With A 20lbs Sledge Hammer Madison Square Garden Demonstration 1983

Magazines And Newspapers

Master Higa has been featured in several Magazines and Newspapers, both in the United States and Japan.  For a full list, click here.

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