Genzo Iwata Hanshi was born on October 9, 1958, in Saitama-ken, Japan. He is the son of the legendary Manzo Iwata and carries forward the direct lineage of Kenwa Mabuni’s Shito-Ryu.
He began his formal Karate-do studies at the age of 12 under the guidance of his father. By 1978, he was already assisting his father in international demonstrations. Throughout the 1980s, he became a central figure in the Federation of All Japan Karate-do Organizations (F.A.J.K.O.) technical videos, specifically demonstrating the Seienchin and Bassai-dai kata.
In 1988, he received his Shihan license from the All Japan Karate-do Shito-kai Federation. Following the passing of his father in 1993, Genzo Sensei became the primary face of the Iwata family legacy, traveling globally to ensure the technical standards of Shito-kai remained consistent.
Since the late 1990s, Genzo Iwata's influence has expanded significantly into global administration and high-level technical direction:
Under his presidency, Hanshi Iwata has overseen major international milestones, including the 10th World Championships in Jakarta (2023) and the preparation for the 11th World Championships in Japan (2026). He remains a highly sought-after Technical Advisor, known for his philosophy that true Karate lies in the balance between health, sport, and Budo.
Courtesy of Sam Moledzki Shito-Kai & WSKF
Copyright Shuriway
All rights reserved.
Use of this website is governed by the Terms of Use.