Mr. Miyagi

Nariyoshi Keisuke Miyagi (June 9, 1925 – November 15, 2011), commonly known as Mr. Miyagi, is a fictional character in the original films (1984–1994) of the Karate Kid franchise. He is a Karate master (portrayed by Pat Morita) who mentors Daniel LaRusso and Julie Pierce. Although he died in 2011, Miyagi is frequently referenced in the series Cobra Kai (2018–present), which is itself thematically structured via The Miyagi-Verse (characters who knew Mr. Miyagi). Overview Mr. Miyagi's given name is inconsistent in the series. In The Karate Kid, the name Hideo Miyagi, which translates to "hero" Miyagi and is the real given name of Pat Morita's brother, can be seen stamped in reverse on his World War II dog tags, being used as a keychain for the car he gives Daniel as a birthday present. As written in Japanese characters in The Karate Kid Part II, his name is 宮城成義 (Miyagi Nariyoshi), which translates as Nariyoshi Miyagi, which is also seen on his gravestone in Cobra Kai (season 1), Episode 5. He is called Keisuke Miyagi at the start of The Next Karate Kid. Mr. Miyagi's ancestor was Shimpo Miyagi, who in 1625 accidentally landed in China. He returned to Okinawa many years later with a wife, children, and the art of Karate. Once back in Okinawa, he developed the style of Karate specific to the Miyagi family. 1925–WWII Mr. Miyagi was born on June 9, 1925, in Tomi Village Okinawa, Japan. He had a job working for his best friend Sato's father, who was the richest man in the village. In addition, he learned karate and fishing from his father Miyagi Chōjun, a fisherman. Breaking family tradition, his father also taught karate to Sato (as Karate was traditionally only passed down from father to son).