Welcome to the Treasures of the Sport Karate Museum Archives Collection

Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee, the father of American Tae Kwon Do came to the United States in the 1950’s and eventually established his institute in 1962. GM Jhoon Rhee, through his teaching and leadership created a lineage that reads like a who’s who of American Tae Kwon Do masters and competitor’s. Professor Gary Lee and the Sport Karate Museum was honored to receive this precious Black Belt that was owned and worn by GM Jhoon Rhee and then handed down consecutively to Allen Steen, one of the first six Black Belts awarded by GM Rhee from the original 189 students in the 1962. This incredible Black Belt went on to grace the waists of the incomparable Champion Mike Stone, the 1stGrand Champion of the prestigious Internationals Karate Championships, and then was passed to J. Pat Burleson who became a dominating tournament champion in the early Blood ‘N Guts era of competition. Grandmaster Jim Harrison was the last pioneer champion who was honored to be given this living Black Belt of champions and before his passing presented this priceless gift to our Professor Gary Lee and the Sport Karate Museum for safe keeping so all can share the great history of Sport Karate in America for the ages.

 Keiko Fukuda Shihan passed away at the age of 99 in 2013. She was the last surviving student of the founder of judo, Jigoro Kano, and the highest-ranking female judoka in history. She was promoted to 10th dan(degree) black belt in 2011, a rank that was only held by only three people, all men who lived in Japan. Fukuda Shihan left her homeland and refused to marry to achieve her dreams of training in judo, constantly battling gender discrimination which kept her from being promoted. After her passing Fukuda's estate bequeathed to Professor Gary Lee and the Sport Karate Museum her historic 10th dan "Aka" obi (red belt),  Her 10th dan certificate, and her personal Judo Gi. Professor Lee and the Museum are humbled that they would be entrusted with such a precious treasure and pledge to honor and preserve it in our care.

Mako's full name is Makoto Iwamatsu but throughout his illustrious acting career was primarily known by his stage name, Mako. He was born in Kobe, Japan on December 10, 1933, and lived in Japan until emigrating to the U.S. in 1949.  Mako later enlisted in the United States Army in November 1953 and served until October 1955. He served in Korea and Japan with the Special Services Division performing in plays for his fellow soldiers. It was during this period picked up the acting bug while studying at the Pasadena Playhouse.  

Mako's movie credits include 88 features one of which earned him an Academy Award Best Supporting Actor nomination for Sand Pebbles (1966) . He also was very active on the small screen(TV) and logged 88 TV appearances, many of which had multiple episodes for each. In TV he played against many of the best including fighting the great Bruce Lee, episodes of M.A.S.H, Walker, Texas Ranger, and many, many more.

Mako did live theatre and earned a Tony nomination for Best Actor in the Musical category for Pacific Overtures. Perhaps, one of his favorite projects was being one of the founding members of the East-West Players, a group that sought recognition for the oriental acting community, and for all the contributions it had made to the arts over the years. With, all this Mako also managed to create voices for many animated characters throughout his acting journey.

As if that wasn't enough for any superhero to have accomplished, Mako shared his knowledge and skill of Japanese swordsmanship and combat with Professor Gary Lee, the founder of the Sport Karate Museum while encouraging the Professor to create the Museum to protect and preserve the history of the martial arts Mako and Professor Lee so revered. Mako Sensei passed on July21, 2006 but his legacy lives on here in the work of the Sport Karate Museum. R.I.P. Sensei, OSU!

"Judo" Gene LeBell was a legend in the world of grappling and the motion picture stunt business. Born as Ivan Gene LeBell on October 9, 1932 in Los Angeles, California, and was born into the combat arts at his birth. His mother, "Red Head" Aileen Eaton, owned the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles and promoted both boxing and professional wre,stling matches at the Olympic. Gene began catch wrestling at age 7 and eventually graduated to the study of judo. Gene achieved his Black Belt, went to Japan form further training and returned to the US to compete as a heavyweight during the middle 1950's the heavyweight and overall AAU National Judo Championships at age 21 and a mere 160 lbs!

His colorful wrestling career included the infamous Boxing vs Wrestling match against Boxer Milo Savage who LeBell eventually threw Savage to the mat and choked him unconscious for the win. Gene retired from his combat Arts competition and entered the business of promotion and teaching from 1968 through 1982. It was during this era that LeBell also ventured into the world of movie and TV stunt work. His hard-earned nicknames followed throughout his career and included the nicknames "Judo" Gene LeBell, "the Godfather of Grappling" and "the toughest man alive" . A short list of his students, to name a few. 

Some years ago 10th degree Black Belt Gene LeBell reads like a who's who of the martial arts, Benny "Jet"Urquidez, Bob Wall, Chuck Norris, Ed Parker, Goker Chivichyan, Karo Parisyan, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Mando Guerrero, and Manny Gamuryan to name a few.

Professor Gary Lee and the Sport Karate Museum Archives are proud to display the precious donated gift of "Judo" Gene LeBell's famous PINK Judo gi, a unique judo gi to be sure.  This historical uniform came about while Gene was training in Japan and his competition gi was accidentally washed with some bright colored garments and when it came out of the machine it was pink. LeBell wore it to compete, to the consternation of the Japanese audience. Gene remarked"  ``It was something different and when people teased me about it, it was a good excuse to get them on the mat and stretch their bodies a bit.'' Take it to the mat, that was the "Judo" Gene Lebell we all love.

Master Jim Harrison was an instrumental teacher and mentor to Professor Gary Lee and his contributions to the creation of the Sport Karate Museum from its earliest conception are immense. As an inspiring role model, Karate master, and pioneer Jim Harrison's path included earning a 9th-degree black belt in Jujitsu, Judo, and Karate in his illustrious career. He was an AAU Regional Judo champion, 3-time U.S. Karate Champion, 3-time All-American Grand Champion, an undefeated U.S. light-heavyweight Kickboxing Championlight-heavy, and coach to the undefeated 1974-76 U.S. Professional Team. 

He regularly tested his knowledge on the mean streets of St. Louis ghettos as a wounded police veteran and member of the Special Operations officer in the hunt for the city's most dangerous criminals. 

 Sensei Harrison was especially remembered for his many impressive and dangerous breaking feats, including shattering, with a bare knife-hand strike, a bottle filled with gasoline and  a lit wick that, that when struck erupted into a ball of flame. (See the picture of this spectacular feat above.)

It is the history and contributions of History Generals like "Ronin" Jim Harrison that make the work of the Sport Karate Museum Archives and its protection of the history and its treasures so vital, as always, one warrior at a time.