THE FATHER OF AMERICAN KARATE

The title FATHER OF AMERICAN KARATE goes to ROBERT A. TRIAS, who founded the UNITED STATES KARATE ASSOCIATION(USKA) whom I met some years ago,after joining the USKA,while in the Philippines. At my suggestion and 'invitation' the late Bob Trias brought his championship team to the Philippines as they were on a tour to Japan,Korea, and Okinawa. While there we met with various Filipino, Chinese and Japanese Masters, instructors and practitioners. Bob started teaching karate in the US shortly after returning to the US after World War II and his dojo is certainly the oldest one on the continental US. Of course, some kungfu/Chinese martial arts preceded karate, but modern karate on the US Mainland took a long time, although Hawaii had practitioners,etc. before this. Later, I hope to describe the USKA visit to the Philippines and other things that may be pertinent.