John Osako
John
Osako
1921-1983
Kodokan 7th dan
Head Instructor, Detroit Judo Club
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Competition
- Twice Pan-American Grand Champion: 1952, 1956 (these 1st two Pan-Ams were in Havana, Cuba)
- 3-Time US AAU National Champion: 1955 (180), 1956 (+180), 1958 (180)
- US AAU Grand National Champion: 1956
- Midwestern AAU Black Belt Champion: 1956, 1957
- Member, 1955 US-Japan Goodwill Tour
- 100+ Regional and Local Championships
US Coach-Manager
- World Championship Judo Team, Rio de Janeiro, 1965
- Pan-American Judo Team, Guatemala, 1965
Technical Director
- Pan-American Judo Union (PJU)
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(l to r): Angelo Workings, Joey Wilson (sitting), Bob Grieve, John Osako
Chairman
- IJF Refereeing Subcommittee
- USJF-AAU Referee's Certification Committee
- USJF Standards Committee
- Konan Board of Examiners
- Board of Examiners, Great Lakes Judo Association
Vice Chairman
- Michigan AAU Judo Committee
Member
- USJF National Promotions Subcommittee
- USJF Rules Committee
- 1st President of the Chicago Judo Black Belt Association: 1947
- IJF Certified Referee: 1968
When Doug Fortune, a favorite student of John Osako, was promoted to Rokudan, this belt was sent to him. Doug now coaches the judo team at Cumberland College, Williamsburg, KY.
Member of
Martial-Arts HyperBanner
John Osako's Self-Defense Course
John Osako (as uke) appeared a number of times in Judo Illustrated with Sadaki Nakabayashi
(tori), 7th dan from New York City, demonstrating self-defense techniques. Mr. Osako
perfected a self-defense course over the years and taught hundreds how to defend
themselves against "thugs." This one page paper was given to students and
summarizes various defense against:
- Wrist Holds
- Arm Locks
- Choke Attacks
- Kicking Techniques
- Shaking Hand Techniques
Sadaki Nakabayashi & John
Osako
Photo taken at the DJC during the series of self-defense demonstrations published in Judo Illustrated in 1968.
Whenever a 6th dan or higher visited the DJC, Sensei wore his black belt. His honored guest would be the only one who wore the red & white.
See also: Nakabayashi in John Osako: A Great American Fighter
John Osako: A Great American Fighter, from Judo World, March
1963
A history of the legendary judoka. Covered is the trip he made to the Kodokan as a member
of the first US-Japan Goodwill tour in 1955.
Lansing, MI Judo Clinic: 1963
The notes Mr. Osako used while giving a clinic in Lansing, Michigan which included judo
teaching methods, refereeing, shiai's, and techniques for beginners.
US Judo Team, 1965
During a hectic three weeks in 1965, John Osako was the Coach/Manager for the U.S. Judo
Team in the IV World Championships in Brazil and the Pan-American Games in Guatamala.
In the News: 1968
One of the keys to the Detroit Judo Club success was Mr. Osako's media savvy; Detroit's
sportwriters knew and respected him. In this newspaper article he offers free classes in
self-defense to women. He knew that to get someone interested in Judo: get them on the
mat, show them a basic technique and let them use it on you. Read how well this works when
the reporter's wife learns some self-defense from Sensei.
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Photo from the 1974 Pan-American Championships in Panama. John Osako is seated at the far right. Can you tell who is sitting at the far left in profile?
What to Look For in a Judo Contest: 1979
From the program for the 1979 National High School Judo Championships in Rogers Arkansas.
Written for the spectator, Mr. Osako describes what to look for in judo competition from a
referee's point of view. How does a referee know when to call OSAEKOMI? Look for his
analogy with a man holding a snake!
John Osako on the Internet
History
Chicago Judo a
history
History of American Martial Arts John Osako
noted as first President of the Chicago Judo Black Belt Association.
Chronological History of the Martial
Arts and Combative Sports 1940-now mentions John Osako as a winner at the first
Pan-American Games.
Judo Ontario article from 1966 by
Donn F. Draeger mentions John Osako as one of America's past champions who possessed
excellent kata skills. The same article here
with a couple pictures of Mr. Draeger.
Directives of the PJU
John Osako recognized as an early USA Refereeing Director of the Pan American Judo Union.
Development of the IJF Referee Rules
In the late '60s, John Osako became the first Chairman of the IJF Refereeing
Sub-Committee.
John Osako on their resumes
Doug Fortune a
favorite student of John Osako, now coaches the judo team at Cumberland College,
Williamsburg, KY.
Master Willie Adams 1966
International Karate Championship Black Belt kumite division and member of the United
States International Karate Team in 1964, he studied judo under John Osako. Another
article about Willie Adams here,
and another here, mentioning John
Osako.
Earl Robbins studied Judo under John
Osako in Cincinnati.
Karl Geis mentions John Osako as one of
the many fine judoka who "kept the martial arts fire burning inside."
Master Robert L. White
studied judo under John Osako.
Stan Conner credits John Osako as
being one of his main teachers.
Special
John Osako Award: This award was
authorized at the November, 1983 US Judo, Inc. (USJI) meeting and was created to honor Mr.
John Osako who was instrumental in developing Judo, and especially refereeing,
in the United States. A grant of $10,000 was made to USJI by M&M/Mars Corporation to
fund the award in perpetuity. It is presented annually in recognition of contributions to
Judo as a referee