15/08/2024
Osu! previous members and supporters of the Wellington Region Karate Academy (WRKA), and practitioners of Gosoku-ryū Karate-do everywhere.
Today Soke Takayuki (Tak) Kubota has passed, in peace and surrounded by his family and students.
Soke was and forever will be an original, an authentic, a true warrior. He did not go with the grain or care about global Karate politics or flavours - he was just 'him' and stood proud and tall (well, figuratively!) on the shoulders of his own life, experiences and achievements.
I was humbled to have seen Soke's human side in my times training under him. I remember hardly understanding a word Soke said, to then immediately becoming his chief translator from 'Soke' to 'Kiwi'. I remember him laughing as he showed me how his license had 'Soke' printed on it. I remember him walking into the towbar of my car and it hurting his shin - I had to laugh given this was after years of watching the videos of him pounding those same shins with a hammer without a flinch. He loved his wine, and taught us how to best cook Ling (fish) - and we still use his recipe today. He had a way of giggling like a mischievous and chubby Japanese schoolgirl at the strangest of things, giving you no choice but to fall into the puddle of his humor, but in the next minute - he would once again command the room with a regal air of earned confidence, respect and authority.
Buried somewhere I have many electronic photos and videos from Soke's visits to us in NZ in 2011 and 2017, and from my/our many trips to train with him in LA - I hope to share more of these soon, and if you have some please also share them.
Osu Soke. Your passing has stirred a deep sadness in me, from the world now missing something unique that will never be found again. But this is enveloped by feelings of gratitude, humility and gratefulness for the time you afforded me, afforded us, afforded all.
Osu Soke. Go well.
Sensei Scott MacKenzie
3rd Dan and Chief Instructor, WRKA
