See a little video on Facebook.

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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.”

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Were you there? Have any memories? Leave a comment on the YouTube video!

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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!

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