Bermuda’s karate community gathered at the 2nd Annual Kazumi Tabata Open in the Whitney Institute Auditorium, where Tony Cabral emerged as the overall winner.

A spokesperson said, “The Whitney Institute Auditorium was filled with the spirit of martial arts as Bermuda’s karate community came together for the 2nd Annual Kazumi Tabata Open. Hosted by the Tabata-Ha Karate Dojo, the event saw participants from local dojos showcase their skills and dedication to the art of karate.

“Represented at the event were esteemed dojos, including Harto Ryu Dojo, Budokan Dojo, Bermuda Uechi-Ryu Academy, Bermuda Shorikan, and Bodhidharma Zenji Ryu Dojo. This gathering of local talent added to the competitive atmosphere and showcased the unity within Bermuda’s karate community.

“The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the remarkable performances by the participants. In the under 15 male advanced division, Will Spriggs delivered a breakout kata performance that captivated the audience and earned him well-deserved recognition. It’s worth noting that this was Will Spriggs’ inaugural appearance at a Shotocup-hosted event, making his achievement even more impressive.

“One of the standout competitors of the day was Noah Lowe, who once again demonstrated his exceptional skills, securing another gold medal to add to his impressive collection.

“However, the pinnacle of the event was the crowning of the overall winner, Tony Cabral. With an outstanding total of 90 points, Cabral emerged as the victor, earning the prestigious Kazumi Tabata Memorial Cup. This remarkable feat cements his legacy as one of Bermuda’s top karate practitioners.

“Edmond Johnson, General Secretary of the Bermuda Karate Federation, expressed his delight in witnessing the emergence of new talents within the karate community. He also emphasized the importance of preserving the memory and legacy of Sensei Kazumi Tabata, whose influence continues to shape Bermuda’s karate landscape.

“The 2nd Annual Kazumi Tabata Open served as a testament to the enduring spirit of karate in Bermuda, where tradition and excellence continue to thrive.”

Photos at Bernews.

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“I was in the Tufts Karate Club in 1967 – 69 led by Mr. Tabata, Mr. Muoroka [sic: we think “Maruoka”] and Mr. Kowabura. Mr. Kowabura didn’t know what to do with me, the only girl.”

So we immediately messaged her and asked for any stories she might like to share!

“Stories? I may have a few. Mr. Muroaka was the only one of the three sensei who could speak English well, but one day while sparring, he was kicked in the jaw, breaking it. Instead of speaking well he could hardly speak at all with his jaw wired.

Then there was the time when we were sparring and I missed and actually hit him. He (Mr. Muroaka) just bopped me back right on the nose. I learned my lesson!

The last time I saw Mr. Muroaka was at a good-bye party just before he left in a VW bus with the intention of driving to South America looking for diamonds. I’ve always wondered how far he got.

Several of us went to Mr. Tabata’s apartment one evening and drank sake with him. I clearly remember him rolling the windows down on the drive home so that he could yell at all the pretty girls he saw on the street.

I remember the discipline, standing in a kibadachi stance with someone on my shoulders for fifteen minutes. As the only girl in the club I was very proud when I defeated all the boys in a round robin tournament and got to be Captain of the club.

Unfortunately I left Tufts half way through my third year. I tried other karate classes over the years, but never found a sensei as inspirational as Mr. Tabata.”

The post Remembering the Tufts Club: 1967-1969 appeared first on North American Karate Federation.

Thanks to Tony Benevides for sending it along!

Why not complete your own karate bookshelf:

Mind Power: Secret Strategies for the Martial Arts (Achieving Power by Understanding the Inner Workings of the Mind)

Secret Tactics: Lessons from the Great Masters of Martial Arts

Warrior Wisdom: (Analysis of SUN TZU’S THE ART OF WAR, Shokatsu Komei’s THE TACTICS, And More)

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(Please email greg@nackc.us if you wish to re-use any photos on this or any affiliated web site.)

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Paul writes (when asked what happened to the Syracuse Club):

“I regret to say that it closed in the early 90’s. It was a very hard decision to make for the club as enrollment declined. I was in my mid twenties at the time.”

“Looking back, I wish I knew then, what I know now, about Sensei Tabata. What a privilege it was to be a student in one of the many satellite schools that he promoted.”

“The video of the “special training” that NACKC posted, brought me back to a time in my life that served as a source of strength that I never knew I had. (That strength brought me through some very trying times in my life!)…”

About the Special Training he details, Paul writes, “The reason for 1100 squat kicks [Instead of “just” 1000. -Ed.] at the end of Sunday. When Sensei announced training was over, everyone cheered and someone ran over and got a drink of water without permission. Sensei called everyone back out on the floor for 100 more! Needless to say no one took a drink after that until his say so. “

Take a look and ask yourself how you’d fare! We have no immediate plans to run Special Trainings again…for now.

As THE organization tasked with carrying on Sensei Tabata’s legacy, we enjoy collecting and sharing these stories. If you have something that you think might be of interest, don’t hesitate to make contact.

Thank you, Paul!

The post Remembering Special Training in the 80’s! appeared first on North American Karate Federation.

Check out Sensei Tabata’s “spirit over form” performances of Sochin and Tekki Sandan at around 1:40!

The post Video: Master Kazumi Tabata Shotokan Karate Promotion – Syracuse, NY Dec. 12, 1984 appeared first on North American Karate Federation.

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I have a few used guitars in my collection and I often wonder about who the previous owners were. What songs did they play and the time they spent with them. I have read many times about a guitarist that gets the opportunity to play a special guitar from a musician that has passed on, often times a guitar hero or mentor of the musician. They all tend to come away with the same experience or feeling that the artist imparts some part of themselves into the instrument. A sense of Mojo from the artist that can only be felt when playing the instrument.

I recently have had the unfortunate blessing to be gifted such a guitar. This guitar was the guitar of Sensei Kazumi Tabata who suddenly passed away a year ago. I knew Tabata Sensei for over 40 years having studied Shotokan karate with and within the same circles of his organization and students. But unlike the other used guitars I have, this one I knew the previous owner, the type of person he was, and the inspiration he was to so many.

Kazumi Tabata brought Shotokan karate over from Japan in early 1960s. He created a karate organization that touched thousands of practitioners and numerous students to create private and collegiate dojos to spread karate in New England and Bermuda, most of which continue to this day.

This guitar is a classical guitar manufactured in 1972 serial number 30 from Kyoji Matsuoka a luthier out of Nagoya Japan. The top appears to be a Cedar, but I don’t know what type of wood the sides and back are made of.

You can tell that this guitar has been played a lot. It is pretty beat up and looks like there is humidity damage maybe a sign of being in the humid coast of Boston, Massachusetts where Tabata sensei lived. I polished it and placed some new strings on it, and soon as I got it in tune it sounded amazing. I could imagine sensei sitting for hours playing this guitar. Maybe singing Japanese folk songs or pulling it out to perform with a circle of students after a training session. I could instantly sense the mojo in this guitar.

I have found that studying martial arts is very similar to studying guitar. You spend years of training and practicing. You seek out the master/apprentice relationship to pass on the basics, the advanced techniques and then the special deeper meanings that only comes after performing thousands or tens of thousands of repetitive movements dictated by the master. And all the time you realize no matter where you are, there is always more to learn and develop. Rest in peace sensei. By Barry Poitras (source)

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