20 Facts About Taiji Kase

Taiji Kase was a Japanese master of Shotokan karate who was one of the earliest masters responsible for introducing this martial art into Europe.

Taiji Kase taught his style of karate, Shotokan Ryu Kase Ha, in France from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s.

Taiji Kase began learning judo before he turned 6 years old, and later in boyhood studied aikido and kendo.

In 1944, at the age of 15 years, Taiji Kase attained the rank of 2nd dan black belt in judo.

Taiji Kase trained under Funakoshi's son, Gigo Funakoshi, before the latter's death in 1945.

Taiji Kase had been due to be tested for his 3rd dan in judo, but elected to focus on karate instead.

In March 1945, during the closing stages of World War II, Taiji Kase enlisted in the Imperial Japanese Navy and joined the Kamikaze corps.

In 1946, Taiji Kase was promoted to 1st dan in Shotokan karate.

Taiji Kase began studying economics at Senshu University and, in 1949, became captain of the university's karate team.

Taiji Kase joined the newly formed Japan Karate Association with the aim of becoming a professional karate instructor, and would later become Chief Instructor for the European branch of the JKA.

In 1968, Taiji Kase was coach of the French Karate Federation.

Taiji Kase went on to teach karate there for almost 20 years in France before deciding to close his dojo in the mid-1980s.

Taiji Kase then began travelling around the world to teach karate.

Taiji Kase was frequently a guest of the former Yugoslav Karate Association, and almost all of the senior Yugoslav karate instructors gained their dan ranks through examinations in which he was involved.

Taiji Kase suffered a heart attack on 31 May 1999, but recovered at the American Hospital of Paris.

On 6 November 2004, Taiji Kase became critically ill, and was hospitalised.

Taiji Kase had lapsed into unconsciousness, and was brought to hospital, but his condition only deteriorated.

Taiji Kase died at 5:25 PM on 24 November 2004, leaving behind his wife and two daughters, and his mother and two brothers.

Taiji Kase's funeral was held at the crematorium of Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, on 30 November 2004.

Taiji Kase held the rank of 9th dan at the time of his death.