James Takemori

James Takemori (February 3, 1926 – May 15, 2015) was an American judoka and World War II veteran.

US Army

Takemori served in the all Japanese American, 442nd Infantry Regiment (United States) in World War II.^[1] The 442nd, 100th Infantry Battalion, and the Military Intelligence Service were jointly awarded a Congressional Gold Medal (highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States Congress) for their efforts in World War II. Takemori would visit President Obama in February 2014 as part of this honor.^[2] James Takemori ultimately retired from the US Army.^[1]

Judo

Takemori began practicing judo in 1937.^[3] He founded the Washington Judo Club with Donn Draeger and taught there from the end of World War II.^[4] The club became the largest in the area and while there he would reach 9th dan in judo (one of the handful of Americans to reach that rank).^[1][4] James Takemori was one of the founders of the Judo Black Belt Federation which became the United States Judo Federation.^[5] By 1965, he was considered one of the top 15 judo black belts in America.^[6] He served as a coach for the 1964 US Olympic judo bronze medalist Jim Bregman^[7] and served as a coach for the US men's and women's national teams.^[3] He served on selection committees for the US men's and women's national and international teams.^[8] He served as a coach for other US Teams as well including the Southern US Team.^[9] Takemori utilized his influence in getting Allen Coage named to the US 1976 Olympic Team in the open weight class where he won a bronze medal.^[10] It was under Takemori's leadership that the US Women won three bronze medals in the first women's Worlds Championships in judo.^[11] He served as the USJF Juniors chairman.^[12] He also served as Chairman of the AAU Junior Judo Program.^[13]

Personal life

During World War II, following the signing of Executive Order 9066, he was sent with his brother Edwin to the Gila River War Relocation Center in Arizona.^[14] He eventually joined the US Army.^[15] He has four daughters Robin, Teri, Miki and Chrissy.^[16] His daughter Teri Takemori^[17] is married to Jason Morris.^[18][19] In 2004, Takemori received Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.^[20] The Order of the Rising Sun is the third highest order bestowed by the Japanese government, however it is generally the highest ordinarily conferred order (the others two are reserved for heads of state and politicians). He died at the age of 89 on May 15, 2015.^[18]

References

1. "Judo team wins gold". The Journal Scene.
2. Nisei Veterans Meet with President Barack Obama
3. "Judo master teaches Georgetown the gentle way". The Georgetown Voice. 29 January 2009.
4. "The Sports Sermon: The Gentle Way at Georgetown". The Georgetown Voice. 18 April 2013.
5. "Sensei James Takemori". shufujudo.org.
6. "Black Belt January 1965". google.com. January 1965.
7. "Black Belt October 1973". google.com. October 1973.
8. "Black Belt January 1971". google.com. January 1971.
9. "Black Belt April 1967". google.com. April 1967.
10. "Black Belt February 1977". google.com. February 1977.
11. Miller, Ernestine G. (2002). Making Her Mark. McGraw Hill Professional. ISBN 9780071390538.
12. "Black Belt November 1972". google.com. November 1972.
13. "Black Belt May 1972". google.com. May 1972.
14. "Japanese American Internee Data File: James Takemori". National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
15. "Judo master is not too bothered by boundaries". gazette.net.
16. Bart Barnes (29 July 1981). "Judo Is a Family Sport For the Five Takemoris". Washington Post.
17. "Teri Takemori, Judoka". judoinside.com.
18. James H Takemori Obituary
19. "2010 Hall of Fame - USJF.COM". usjf.com.
20. "The Morgan Messenger - Google News Archive Search". google.com.