Remembering Sunao Migita Sensei

Migita Sensei was born in Kumamoto, Japan on December 2, 1899.  His love affair with martial arts began at the age of 7 when he learned sumo from the village youths.  At age 12 he became the village sumo champion.  Professor Migita immigrated to Hawaii at the age of 16 and two years later enrolled at the Shobukan Judo Club.  Professor Migita was a diligent student and an exceptional tournament player and in 1920 after only two years of judo training became an instructor.  In 1924, he became the chief instructor of Shobukan.

During his 55 years as a chief instructor, Sensei encountered many challenges.  There were times when the dojo electricity was cut-off because the lack of students to pay the bills.  There was the challenge of reactivating judo after World War II when all Japanese martial arts were banned; and there were problems associated with moving the dojo 5 times and keeping students when the dojo was forced to move.  In 1957, Professor Migita met his greatest challenge of his judo career.  Faced with the immediate demolition of the dojo, Professor Migita was the driving force and inspiration in purchasing Shobukan’s current site and moving the dojo on to it using personal funds and funds borrowed from relatives, Shobukan members and supporters.  During these difficult periods, Professor Migita was able to meet and overcome many obstacles and continued to make Shobukan an active, viable, and flourishing judo club.

Over the years, under the leadership of Professor Migita, Shobukan was a major force in island judo, producing numerous black belts, state champions, over 25 individual champions, and alternate for the 1964 United States Olympic Judo Team, and several international judo champions.

Professor Migita’s contribution to judo extended beyond the Shobukan Judo Club.  Over the years, he served the Judo Black Belt Association of Hawaii as one of the technical advisors, a board of director member, treasurer and review committee member.  As a judo instructor, Migita Sensei helped to establish in 1929, judo clubs in various communities on the island of Kauai.  He also served as a visiting instructor for various judo clubs, including the Kalihi Kokyukai (1930), Haleiwa Judo Club (1933-1935), Aiea Judo Club (1939-1941), and the Pearl Harbor Submarine Base Club (1954-1957).

Over the years, Professor Migita was honored and recognized for his contribution and dedication to the art of judo.  He received among others, Certificates of Merit from the Hawaiian Amateur Athletic Union (1963 and 1964); Certificates of Recognition by the Japanese Government for the Promotion of American-Japanese Relationship through Judo (June 1968; August 1970; and on December 31, 1979); the State of Hawaii’s First Lady’s Outstanding Volunteer Award for his efforts as a judo instructor (April 1980); A Resolution No. 369 by the House of Representatives of the 11^th Legislature of the State of Hawaii Honoring Sunao Migita for his dedication to the art of judo (March 10, 1981); and on November 3, 1981 Professor Migita was the recipient of the Six Class Order of the Rising Sun conferred by the Emperor of Japan for his work to foster friendship between Hawaii and Japan.  Finally to top off his illustrious career, Professor Migita was promoted to Hachidan in 1986.   

Professor Migita was indeed an example of judo and its “gentle way.”  He was an inspiration to people because of his remarkable achievements, skills, vigor, effective teaching, perseverance, and his love for the youth of this Honolulu community.