SENSEI LOUIS MASAMICHI FURUKAWA
December 12, 1914 to August 30, 2005
USJF 7th Dan
This is to informed the judo community regarding the late Furukawa Sensei, my
Uncle.
Furukawa Sensei started judo when he was 14 years old at the Seinan Dojo. He
was part of the very first judo class which was located at a temporary facility.
He then, assisted in the construction of the premanent Seinan dojo located in
Los Angeles, Calfornia. When the war started, he was sent to Amache Relocation
Center. After the internment, he relocated to Detroit, Michigan. With the love
of the sport, he sported judo classes at the downtown Detroit YMCA, and continue
there for over 40 years.
He truly wanted to spread the art of judo and therefore expanded the judo programs
to various YMCA in the area, including Cleveland and Cincinnati. He also taught
judo at Dearborn’s Edsel Ford High School, Wayne State University, Frank Hubbard’s
dojo, Yamaga Judo and Karate Club, the Windsor YMCA, and then the Furukawa Judo
Clubin Windsor, Cananda.
He served on numersou occasions as a trustee on the Detroit Judo Club, member
of the Konan Judo Yudanshakai, where he served on the Board of Governors and
Board of Examiners.
Furukawa Sensei recieved numerous awards and some are listed below:
- 1991 inducted into the Michigan Hall of Fame
- 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990 Certificate of Recognition from Michigan YMCA
- 2002 Certification of Appreciation from the USJF
- 1975 to 1981, Certificate of Appreciation from the National Council of
YMCA of Canada - And many many more, as all dedicated judokas.
I am sending this email because Furukawa Sensei recently relocated to California
in March of this year and many of his students/instructors may not know what
happen to him. His memorial service was last week. All corespondance can be
directed to 1520 Verde Vista Dr., Monterey Park, CA
We will miss you Sensei
God Bless Uncle
Butch Ishisaka
Head Instructor, Cal State LA Judo
Instructor San Gabriel Judo