 The cover ofBlack Belt magazine's first issue | |
| Categories | Martial Arts |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Digital Daily |
| Publisher | George Chung |
| Founder | Mitoshi Uyehara |
| Founded | 1961; 65 years ago (1961) |
| First issue | April 1961 (1961-04) |
| Company | Jungo TV |
| Country | United States |
| Based in | Los Angeles, California |
| Language | English |
| Website | www |
Black Belt is an Americanmagazine coveringmartial arts andcombat sports. The magazine is based inHollywood, California, and is one of the oldest titles dedicated to martial arts in theUnited States.[1][2]
The magazine was founded in 1961[3] by Mitoshi Uyehara. It was published by Uyehara under the company "Black Belt, Inc." based inLos Angeles until 1973. Although the publication went mainstream in 1961, the first magazine was produced and sold for ten cents and was put together on the kitchen floor of Uyehara's home in 1958. By the first year of producing a full publication in 1961, Uyehara was in debt for $30,000. This story has been one that he has shared with his children and grandchild to believe in oneself and fight against the odds.Bruce Lee contributed many articles to the publication during the 1960s. Uyehara, a martial artist in his own right, was a key personage in arranging Lee's material for publication.[4] Uyehara is a 3rd Dan inAikido but studied many other arts. He is the student ofTohei Sensei, an Aikido master.
Uyehara founded "Rainbow Publications" in 1974 (based in Los Angeles, laterBurbank, CA andSanta Clarita, CA), where he acted as president, but he ceased acting as an editor from this time. Uyehara moved toHonolulu in 1980, from where he continued to act as a publisher until 1998. Uyehara was originally fromLahaina, Maui, and saw the value of returning home to be close to his family. During this transitional period, the magazine underwent a frequent change in editorship (Bob MacLaughlin 1974, Rick Shively 1976, Richard Zimmerman 1978, John R. Corbett 1980, John Steward 1980, John Hanson 1981, James Nail 1982–83) until Jim Coleman became executive editor in 1984, serving until 1997. Robert W. Young succeeded Coleman in 1997/8, shortly before the acquisition of the magazine bySabot Publishing, and remains executive editor as of 2016.
Rainbow Publications was acquired by Sabot Publishing, a publisher of "special interest publications", in 1999. Sabot Publishing was in turn acquired byActive Interest Media in 2003,[5] from which time the magazine has been under the supervision of "Group Publisher" (responsible for strategic development) Cheryl Angelheart.[6] Active Interest Media no longer ownsBlack Belt.
Black Belt Publications was then acquired by Century Martial Arts. Black Belt Magazine started a YouTube channel in 2008 and uploads martial arts and action movies, videos demonstrating martial art techniques and weapons from classical to modern styles and interviews with known martial artists, experts, and martial art news.[7]
Black Belt Magazine also added a podcast series to its existing multimedia offerings. The magazine launched its first podcast on December 23, 2021, featuring discussions, interviews, and perspectives on various martial arts disciplines and combat sports.[8]
In July 2023, JungoTV, LLC acquired Black Belt Magazine.[9]Jungo TV is a global media company based in Los Angeles co-founded by former world Karate Champion George Chung. George Chung will function as the publisher of Black Belt Magazine and its properties.
notable magazine, equivalent to Black Belt in the US
