It is with great sadness we announce the recent passing of Grand Master Kazumi Tabata, 9th
degree black belt, at the age of 77. He died peacefully at his home in Lynn, MA, USA.
While studying at Waseda University in Japan, "Sensei" Tabata - as he was later known by his
students - became a senior student of Sensei Isao Obata. Sensei Obata was the first Chairman of
the Japan Karate Association and a senior student of Master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of
Shotokan Karate.
Sensei Tabata came to the USA in the late 1960’s under the direction of Sensei Obata, where he
founded the North American Karate-Do Federation, consisting of Shotokan Karate schools in
New England, Philadelphia, Bermuda, and Italy, and the New England Collegiate Karate
Conference, consisting of many college clubs, and now known as the North American Collegiate
Karate Conference, in recognition of the participation of many colleges outside of New England.
He also trained local law enforcement agencies during that period in hand-to-hand combat and
self-defense and he was the team coach for the Bermuda Word Karate Team.
Sensei Tabata had many interests and talents in addition to his karate teaching and leadership.
He was the author of numerous books, including Secret Tactics, Warrior Wisdom, Mind Power,
and Kudensho: Secrets of Karate, all available on Amazon. He was an artist, a musician, and a
calligrapher. His entrepreneurship encompassed a successful import/export business, real estate,
and a number of restaurants including Gyuhama of Japan where he was a pioneer of authentic
Japanese cuisine in the Boston area, and where he introduced “Midnight Rock n Roll Sushi”. He
also conceived and hosted the Boston Asian Festival in 1993.
Sensei Tabata has had a huge impact on Shotokan Karate for many years through his leadership,
teaching and writing.
Many of his students will continue with the work of spreading Tabata-Ha Shotokan Karate
throughout the world.
He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and all in the karate world. He was the
most enthusiastic instructor, host, and mentor for which one could ever hope, and his spirit
extended beyond the dojo and touched the lives of countless people.