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Carl P. Beaver came to Hawaii in 1939 and was first
introduced to the Okazaki jujitsu system in 1940 by someone known only as "Corporal
Wyatt." Although he learned only the basics of the system at that time, and
World War Two caused a disruption of his training, it is clear that the young
Mr. Beaver was hooked. After his discharge
in 1945, Beaver came back to Hawaii and began the study of Kodokan judo at the
Nuuano YMCA under Sensei Yamamoto. After joining the Mano YMCA, he studied jujitsu
under Sensei Dick McCarty, an Okazaki student, and obtained his Shodan, which
was presented by Prof. Okazaki himself. Beaver continued with his jujitsu training
under Prof. Okazaki and his senior student, Wally Jay, and gained further experience
through Sensei Richard Takemoto. In
1948, Beaver began an intensive study of massage under both Sensei McCarty and
Prof. Okazaki in preparation for his Territorial massage license. He graduated
from the Okazaki school of Restorative Massage in January, 1949 and, with his
wife, Martha, obtained Territorial licenses. It
was during this time that Beaver lived with Professor Okazaki at the Professor's
home. Some of Prof. Beaver's fondest memories and best "war stories"
were from this time. In 1950, Beaver
moved to the Mainland and began teaching jujitsu at the Dayton Health Studio in
Dayton, Ohio. In 1951, he moved to California and began teaching jujitsu in Gardena.
18 months later, he moved to Bellflower, California, teaching two classes a week
for the next three decades. In 1961, Beaver received his Sandan from
Sensei Wally Jay. In 1967, he received his Godan from Sensei Joe Holck, the American
Jujitsu Institute's Regional Chairman at that time. In 1972, Beaver received his
Rokudan and, thereafter, his Shichidan from the A.J.I. in 1976. In 1977, he was
promoted to 8th Degree Black Belt and to Ninth Degree Black Belt by Jujitsu America.
After coming out of retirement in 1988, he assumed the position of Technical Director
for Shoshin Ryu Yudanshakai. In 1990, he was elevated to Judan by both Shoshin
Ryu Yudanshakai and the American Jujitsu Institute. Professor
Beaver's recognitions include commendations from the Governors of the State of
Hawaii and State of Arizona, Orange County Board of Supervisors, California State
Assembly, received a commendation from the Mohave County Board of Supervisors
in 1988. He was inducted into the Danzan Ryu Jujitsu Hall of Fame in 1992, and
received the Luciani Service Award in 1994. He was elevated to Godan in 1992 by
the United States Judo Association. He was inducted into Jujitsu America's Black
Belt Hall of Fame in 1979, and received Jujitsu America's Patriarch Award in 1996. |