Master Yamashita is born in Japan, but considers himself Okinawan. He lost his father at the age of 3. At the age of 16, Yamashita would receive his black belt and in 1960 he became the All-Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Free Sparring Grand Champion. He lived in Okinawa until in 1972 he came to the USA where he became a citizen. Yamashita has dedicated over 40 years of his life to the practice of Okinawan Karatedo and Kobudo. He is a tenth dan in both karate do and kobudo. Yamashita is the President and Director of US Shorin-Ryu Karate Association, the USA President of the Zen Okinawan Kobudo Association and Chief Instructor of Shorin Ryu in the United States.

(Source: IMDB) Edit Biography