Norio Kawasoe (8th Dan) was born in Saga, on the island of Kyushu, southern Japan and started training in Shotokan Karate in 1967 at Saga High School. He enrolled at Takushoku University in 1970 and joined the famous University Karate club where Kanazawa Kancho had trained.
On graduating from university in 1974 became an instructor under Sensei Masatoshi Nakayama in the Japan Karate Association dojo in Tokyo and in 1976 was chosen to teach in Europe and settled in Austria.
Sensei Kawasoe was awarded his 4th Dan by Kanazawa Kancho in 1977 and was appointed Chief Instructor of the Austrian branch of Kanazawa Sensei’s international federation in the same year.
In 1986 Sensei Kawasoe partnered with Kanazawa Kancho in a video series that showcased the core syllabus of Shotokan Karate. Sensei Kawasoe’s crisp and precise techniques perfectly complimented the fluid style of Kanazawa Kancho’s techniques.
On returning from training courses with Kanazawa Kancho, Sensei Michael would often study these videos to reinforce the lessons taught at the training course. The video series remains a resource that Sensei Michael uses today to benchmark the standard of Karate practiced in SKR dojo’s.
In 2003 Sensei Kawasoe was awarded 8th Dan by Kanazawa Kancho and honoured with the title “Hanshi”, which is awarded to instructors that are a role model for others.
It is with great sadness we report that Sensei Norio Kawasoe passed away on Sunday March 17th 2013.