Hanshi Joseph Hedderman

Hanshi Joseph Hedderman

Hanshi Joseph Hedderman, May 4, 1935-March 31, 2018, was an extraordinary martial artist. Shortly after my family moved to the Pittsburgh area in 1965, while riding a streetcar into the city, I discovered the American Jitsu Karate Institute, the Allegehny Budo-Kai’s predecessor, which was located adjacent to the streetcar line in Castle Shannon. I prevailed upon my parents to allow me to join, which I did along with my older brother. I didn’t realize it at the time, but we had enrolled in one of North America’s first martial arts schools, tracing its beginning to 1927 (www.koseido-dojo.org). I was Hanshi Hedderman’s student from 1965 until I graduated from high school in 1969, training in both Koseido-ryu Jiu Jitsu and Koseido-ryu Karate-do. Training under Hanshi Hedderman changed my life and put my feet on the martial arts path that I continue to walk.

–Master Christopher D. Moore

The following obituary was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette when Hanshi Joseph Heddermann passed away on March 31, 2018.