James Mitose
Japanese American martial artist who brought Kempo to the U.S. in the early 1940's
ジェームズ・ミトセ
- Born
- 30 December 1916, Kailua-Kona
- Died
- 26 March 1981, San Quentin
- Citizenship
- United States
- Sport
- martial arts
- Occupation
- martial artist
James Masayoshi Mitose (born Masayoshi Mitose, December 30, 1916 – March 26, 1981) was a Japanese American martial artist who brought the art of Kosho Shorei-ryū Kenpo to the United States starting in 1936.
Many Kenpo teachers trace their lineage to him. Mitose was and remains a controversial figure in the history of Kenpo in America. He was convicted of murder and extortion in 1974 and given a life sentence. He died in prison in 1981 due to complications from diabetes.
Students
External links
Facts from Wikidata Q6139856 (CC0); quoted introduction from English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22.
Data: Wikidata (CC0 1.0); Wikipedia (English) (CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
Last posts
- Buying Fire-Hardened Rattan Sticks for Martial Arts
- Skinned vs Unskinned Rattan Sticks Choosing the Right Gear
- How Long Do Rattan Sticks Last in Heavy Contact Drills
- Are Foam Escrima Sticks Good for Kids and How to Choose
- Best Padded Escrima Sticks for Sparring and Drill Safety
- Choosing the Right Escrima Stick Diameter for Your Hand Size
- What Length Escrima Sticks Should You Buy for Training
- Rattan vs Hardwood Escrima Sticks Which Is Better
- Best Escrima Sticks for Beginners and How to Choose Them
- Buying Different Staff Weights for Training and Forms