Monster Tabata

By Thomas Shea and George Barbaro

Reprinted with permission by Thomas Shea

    The date was April, 1967. It was a cold and rainy day in Philadelphia as Kazumi Tabata stepped off the plane. The extensive trip from preparations and the jet-lag after the long flight from Japan had left him weary. The though that his instructor, Isao Obata, had personally asked him to make this trip was an honor, but he was hoping to get a few days rest before teaching. No such luck. There was a mix-up at the airport. Tabata was picked up and taken directly to the dojo.
    Although a little bewildered and slightly exhausted, Tabata greeted his new students with a shy smile. His English was poor. Equally surprised were the students, some of who had won many big tournaments. He was younger than they expected. He looked in his teens, although he was already into his twenties. The students waited impatiently while Tabata put on his gi. One could see that Tabata became more serious in this karate atmosphere.
    Tabata led the students through several exercises, and perhaps sensed their doubts concerning their ability. Finally, it was time. He instructed everyone to sit down. He announced he would spar with each black belt, one at a time.
    The first to face him was a champion. Tabata rushed him with combinations. The student backed up so rapidly his heel went through a plaster wall. Barely allowing the student time to regain his composure, Tabata placed a fist lightly on the student's jaw. One down, another down, and another, and another until he had fought and defeated them all. "There was one guy he beat", recalls Jim Ambrose, a victim to Tabata that day. "He was an ex-Army heavyweight champ and placed high in the Mr. America contest. Tabata quickly set him up with a wheel kick. The kick hit him in the head and sent him cart-wheeling to the floor."
    After that exhibition, Tabata, 5-foot-8, 165 pounds, left little doubt as to his qualifications or prowess. In one short time period, he had earned their respect/
    That was Kazumi Tabata's debut in America. Japan, of course, was where it all started.
    While in junior high school, Tabata took lessons in kendo, judo, and shoringi-ryu karate, not to mention distance running. As a freshman in high school, he earned his black belt in karate and a brown belt in judo. After graduation, he went to Waseda University, where he took up shotokan. He earned a black belt in that style also.
    In 1966, Obata, who was interested in bringing the teachings of Japan to the United States and forming a worldwide organization, chose Tabata to be his emissary to the United States. Tabata accepted and left Japan for Philadelphia to become head instructor of the newly-formed All American Karate-do Federation. Obata wanted the organization to appeal to college students.
    While Tabata was in Philadelphia, his students learned that underneath his warm and friendly nature he was a stern instructor. "If you don't beat them the first day, you can't control them," says Tabata. "So I had to beat them the first day."
    As the days went on, Tabata developed an even tougher discipline, and it wasn't long before his students began to call him "Monster Tabata".
    Later on, "Monster Tabata", er, uh, Master Tabata, conducted a three-day special training seminar in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. In the interest of his students' peace of mind, he confiscated all car keys. "But only a few ran away," recalls Tabata.
    The first session of the first day consisted of a three-and-one-half-hour session, which included 3,600 stepping punched and 90 minutes of forward stances.
    Later during the day, he had special training exercises during which a student would practice front kicks with another student on top of his shoulders.
    It was after the second session of the first day the students finally broke down and informed Tabata that he was dishing out too much punishment. Tabata, in accordance with his dwindling club memberships, mellowed a little bit. But soon they were asking for more. Unfortunately, for them, Tabata would not be teaching there much longer.
    Because Obata wanted Tabata to concentrate on the college audience, Tabata moved in 1968 to Boston, an area with an abundance of colleges. There he founded the North American Karate Federation, which now has schools in Bermuda, Canada, New York, Pennsylvania, and all through New England. There is also a branch in Italy.
    In 1969, Tabata founded the New England Collegiate Karate Conference, which includes karate clubs from Tufts University, University of Massachusetts, Boston University, Dartmouth College, University of Lowell, Boston College, Southeastern Massachusetts University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
    Like many others, Tabata is somewhat disappointed at the decline of "true karate spirit". He also questions people who promote themselves to high degrees. "One must question what is a master," says Tabata. "There are so many things you have to study more than karate, more than techniques. If you are a master, everything must be there."
    Tabata knows more than technique and philosophy. He has a proficient knowledge of human anatomy and medical training. "There are some so-called masters who can't even treat and care for students who suffer injuries," he says. With that in mind, Tabata recently finished a book called Complete Karate, which not only covers techniques and theories, but history, philosophy, and basic medical knowledge.
    Tabata is quick to discuss his philosophy of teaching. He says he rarely points out minor flaws in the techniques of advanced students. He says he prefers to demonstrate and make suggestions on the whole, but the learning process is up to the student himself. "It is the instructor's responsibility," says Tabata from his home in Nahant Beach, Massachusetts, "to guide the student into a style more compatible not only with his body build, but also his personal character. It is more important to train the student to develop his own abilities, to help the student become his own teacher, his own task-maker."
But Tabata has a warning for beginners. "Many beginners become so serious and put in so many ideas, they become sick. Then the leave karate," he says. "But one should relax, try to have a clear mind and keep peaceful. Most important is to enjoy karate, that's all. Practice hard, but relax."
    Tabata has been known to be a very religious person, but he shies away from discussing religion. "I never think about religion. Karate - that is religion. If you breathe, that is religion."
    When asked about his views on tournaments, Tabata is almost ruthless. "Some tournaments are play. To me, true karate is to be able to defeat the opponent with one punch or one kick."
    Summing up his whole life, Tabata says, "Karate gives me a healthy mind and a healthy body. Happiness, that is everything. Peace of mind, that is the end."
    Recently, Tabata held a special training center in Massachusetts, similar to one he held that first year in the United States. "This will be a new experience for most of you," he said to his students. "You have never felt pain like this. You'll think that you are going to die." The students laughed, not knowing what was to come next. Tabata barely smiled, and then went on. "Over the next few days please try to remember one thing. Bring your outside inwards and your inside outwards. Your outside may be afraid, but the inside is calm. If you can bring this calm inside out, then people will also call you 'Monster'". The students laughed again, but Tabata went on. "Never quit; never give up. Your body will not help. You need strong mind and spirit. You must push yourself as hard as possible. If you can finish this training, you can do anything."