The North American Karate-Do Federation (NAKF) and the North American Collegiate Karate Conference (NACKC) wish to offer our heart-felt sympathies on news of the passing of Master Fumio Demura.

Master Demura was a great personal friend to our Master Kazumi Tabata and a great supporter of our organization going back many years. He was a welcome presence at a number of events and left a trail of fond memories behind wherever he went. He will be greatly missed.

We offer our deepest condolences to Sensei Demura’s family, friends, and all his students.

-Greg Cumings
President, NAKF

Here is video of Master Demura at the 1993 Boston Asian Festival:

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Our expenses here are kept small, but not non-existent, and your generosity will go a long way toward giving us flexibility and perpetuating our mission far into the future.

Visit the donations page to find out how.

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The post New Additions to the Black Belt Network! appeared first on North American Karate Federation.

Some news from Greg from the BBG mailing list: “Upon some suggestions from the group we have decided to give ourselves a bit of a catchier name. Rather than BBG [Black Belt Group] you are all now proud members of The BUDOKAS. A group of like minded karateka that want to train hard and improve our martial skills while at the same time have fun and make friends. Being a Budoka means you have a responsibility to take care of yourself and others.”

If you are confused, this refers to the mailing list and biweekly Sunday practices we have been holding. If you are on the email list and come to practice, you’re in. If you would like to be added, please email greg@nackc.us or chip@nakf.net and let us know. We are welcoming all rank levels above white belt so don’t be shy.

Just wait for the merch!

Speaking of which, our next practice will be Sunday, April 3 at 9am at Doshi Kai in Acton, MA. Here is a link to the Facebook event page. A Zoom link will be distributed on the email list, but please attend in-person if you can.

Finally, we also have new NAKF patches (and the usual NACKC patches as well). If you want them, we are asking for $7 per patch plus $3/order s/h. We take Venmo: @NACKC or Paypal: treasurer@nackc.us. Send the money to one of those, then email me (chip@nakf.net) your mailing details and I’ll get them right out.

Thank you!

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If you would like one or more, email greg@nackc.us and let him know. We’re planning to charge $7/patch plus $3/order s/h domestic. You will end up sending the money to Greg via Venmo @GregCumings (note one “M”! – last 4 digits of his phone are 4433).

No order too small or large! Email Greg to get yours. They look great on your karategi, book bag, or pet. Wear your Tabata-Ha Karate lineage with pride today!

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First, we have added a new page here: Black Belt Network (get there by clicking the “People” menu item).

From the description on the page: “Meet some of the black belts in our network. Here you will find profiles and geographical information on some of the dan-rank practitioners either already instructing in NAKF/NACKC clubs, or available to step in and lend a hand at need. We will be adding to this list on a regular basis and generally have more people available to run classes than classes for them to run, so if you need someone, please contact us.”

If you are an adult black belt who fits the description of either already actively teaching or being willing to contribute from time to time, please contact Greg (greg@nackc.us) to be listed. Don’t be shy.

Also, we would like to highlight Doshi Kai as having been added to the network of schools. Sensei Nagao Matsuyama is a Waseda graduate like Sensei Tabata, and many, many NAKF and NACKC alumnae have trained under him. He was a student of Master Toshio Watanabe, himself a direct student of Master Gichin Funakoshi. Pictures of Sensei Nagao are all over the photo albums on our Facebook Page.

Again, if you have an NAKF or NACKC school or club that you believe should be listed, contact Greg.
Thank you all!

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