Master Yutaka Yaguchi, 9^th Dan

Chief Instructor Emeritus, ISKF Mountain States Region

Born in 1932 in Hiroshima, Japan, Sensei Yaguchi began karate training in 1952. He tested under Master Funakoshi for his first and second-degree black belts. As an outstanding collegiate karate competitor, he was picked as an applicant to the newly established Japan Karate Association (JKA) Instructor Training Program.

Master Yaguchi is one of the first graduates of the renowned JKA Instructor Training Program. During this time, he established himself as a prominent competitor and finalist in the annual JKA All Japan Tournaments from 1957 to 1963.

In 1986, Sensei Yaguchi began providing the instruction for one of only five JKA/ISKF Instructor Training Programs in North, Central, and South America. As one of the first graduates of the JKA Instructors Training Program, he has played an important role in the growth of American JKA karate and the internationalization of Shotokan karate.  Master Yaguchi passed away recently in October of 2023. 

Mr. Mark Tarrant, 8^th Dan
Chief Instructor, ISKF Mountain States Region

Mr. Tarrant is a protégé of Master Yutaka Yaguchi, a member of the elite class of first-generation JKA instructors sent worldwide to teach real Shotokan Karate. A world-class competitor, Mr. Tarrant’s career highlights include being two-time individual U.S. National Champion and a member of seven national champion teams. 

Mr. Tarrant is a graduate of the ISKF Instructor Training Program as a certified instructor, examiner, and judge, and is a member of the ISKF Technical Committee.

Mr. Bruce Green, 8^th Dan

Senior Instructor, Boulder Shotokan Karate

Mr. Green began his training in 1970 and was a finalist in the JKA National Collegiate Karate Championships from 1973 to 1975. After finishing graduate school, Mr. Green had the good fortune to move to Colorado in 1978.

In 1980, Mr. Green was appointed Assistant Instructor to Sensei Yaguchi and in the same year became Chief Instructor of the JKA of Boulder (Now Boulder Shotokan Karate). Mr. Green competed successfully in international, national, and regional tournaments from 1973 to 1988.

In 1995, Mr. Green graduated from the JKA-ISKF Instructor Training Program as one of Sensei Yaguchi's first students to graduate from the Mountain States Region. Mr. Green became a Certified Examiner through the JKA-ISKF in 1996, and is now an A-ranked Instructor, Examiner, and Judge.