A sample of Dr. Kappes' rank certificates

Japan Karate Association


Hidetaka Nishiyama 10th Dan
Chairman & Chief Instructor
International Traditional Karate Federation

Chief US Representative
Japan Karate Association International



Teruyuki Okazaki 10th Dan
Official Examiner

Current Chief Instructor & Chairman
International Shotokan Federation,
Japan Karate Association
World Federation

Rank conferred by Hidetaka Nishiyama & Teruyuki Okazaki 11/09/1973

1st KYU - [Brown Belt]





Japan Karate Association


Masatoshi Nakayama 10th Dan
Former Chief Instructor
Japan Karate Association
Deceased 1987


Teruyuki Okazaki 10th Dan
Official Examiner

Current Chief Instructor & Chairman
International Shotokan Federation,
Japan Karate Association
World Federation

Rank conferred by Masatoshi Nakayama & Teruyuki Okazaki 10/11/1974

Shodan - [1st Degree Black Belt]






Japan Karate-do Ryobu-kia




Yasuhiro Konishi 10th Dan
Soke, Chairman
Japan Karate-Do-Ryobukai


Kiyoshi Yamazaki 8th Dan
Chief Instructor
Japan Karate-Do-Ryobukai

Rank conferred in Japan by Yasuhiro Konishi & Kiyoshi Yamazaki 8/24/2001

Rokudan - [6th Degree Black Belt]







"There is nothing more precious than human life. Regardless of the place or time, it has always been an undeniable fact that human life carries with it a meaning of value and dignity. Bearing this philosophy in mind, we should practice Karate as a means to enhance human welfare."

Master Yasuhiro Konishi 1893-1983