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hiroshima native Kazuo Imanishi, a key defender for Toyo Kogyo (Mazda) and the Japan national team, recalls a childhood shaped by post-war reconstruction and a burgeoning love for sports. His journey, beginning with a family move in January 1951, illustrates the powerful role athletics played in rebuilding a nation.
Early Life and a City reborn
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The Imanishi family relocated to Hiratsuka-cho (now Higashi-Hiratsuka-cho, Naka Ward) in Hiroshima during the third semester of ImanishiS fourth year of elementary school. The area,still recovering from the war,consisted largely of barracks with only 100 meters of paved road. He quickly adapted to his new surroundings, transferring to Hiroshima City Takeya Elementary School. The founding of the Hiroshima Carp in 1950, just a year before the move, ignited a passion for baseball throughout the city, and Imanishi often accompanied his father to Hiroshima Municipal Stadium. He also enjoyed playing grass baseball, excelling as a speedy outfielder and batting first in the lineup.
In April 1953, Imanishi entered Hiroshima city Kokutaiji Junior High School, a large institution with approximately 1,000 students divided into 14 classes. The school’s size sometimes necessitated split shifts, with students attending classes either in the morning or afternoon. Despite his eagerness to participate in sports, the sheer number of students made it difficult to secure a spot on a team. Adding to the challenge, a positive tuberculin test resulted in a year-long restriction from physical activity. During this time, Imanishi also grappled with self-consciousness about a burn scar on his left leg, limiting his participation to casual games of baseball and soccer.
A Fortuitous Path to Soccer
Initially hoping to attend Hiroshima Prefectural Kokutaiji High School, Imanishi applied to five schools-Hiroshima Minami High School, Funairi High School, Motomachi High School, and Kannon High School-all of which used a lottery system for admissions. He was accepted to Funairi High school,his fifth choice,a school with roots as Hiroshima City Daiichi Girls’ high School and a 40-to-50-minute commute by bus. This unexpected turn proved pivotal. While initially intending to fully immerse himself in sports, Funairi High School’s principal, Hideo Sotobayashi, championed a beliefs of broadening students’ horizons. Though drawn to baseball, the strongest players favored Hiroshima commercial and Koryo High Schools. The soccer team, with potential for national tournament participation, initially held less appeal due to his concerns about his burn scar.Though, after excelling in an intramural soccer tournament, Principal Sotobayashi recognized his speed and kicking ability, urging him to join the team. Fellow forward Mutsuhiko Nomura, a year ahead and later a Japan League top scorer with Hitachi, also extended an invitation, solidifying Imanishi’s decision.
Imanishi, born January 12, 1941, in Hiroshima City, went on to play as a defender for Toyo Kogyo (Mazda) after graduating from Hiroshima Municipal Funari High School and Tokyo University of Education (now University of Tsukuba). He appeared in 42 Japanese league games and represented Japan in 11 international matches. Following his playing career, he served as Mazda’s manager and general manager, becoming known as japan’s first GM. He also played a crucial role in establishing Sanfrecce Hiroshima and held positions within the Japan Football Association Strengthening Committee and as president of FC Gifu.
