It is with great sadness that the Australian Kendo Renmei acknowledges the passing of Akira Tajima sensei.
Akira Tajima sensei passed away, in Tokyo on Friday 5 January 2018.
The Australian Kendo Renmei expresses sincere condolences to his wife Reiko, son Kenji and daughter Tomoko.
Tajima sensei had been courageously battling cancer for a few years, enduring the difficulties of treatment and facing his mortality with great courage, true kendo spirit and even some humour. His courage showed through when after treatment had commenced, he returned to the kendojo for a time, to assist kendo students at a high school nearby to his home.
Tajima sensei’s’ first connection with Australia was in the early 1970’s as a high school exchange student, first arriving in Rochester, near Shepparton, Victoria, then transferring to other locations and ending up in Sydney. Within a short time Tajima sensei was assisting Jun Takeuchi Sensei with the kendo teaching in Sydney from 1973. This continued until 1977, when Tajima sensei returned to Japan for surgery, following a car collision.
Despite his return to Japan, the connection with Australian kendo people remained very strong. Tajima sensei visited Australia many times and looked after many Australian kendo visitors, including hosting them at his home in Tokyo on many occasions. He also organised many welcome occasions for Australian kendo people, when they visited Japan.
Tajima sensei’s’ continuing influence, guidance and support for Australian kendo was profound and deep and will never be forgotten. We are all very grateful for his dedicated help and great friendship and are all saddened at his departure.
The funeral arrangements for Tajima sensei are:
Wake: January 8 (Mon) from 6:00 pm.
Funeral: January 9 (Tue) from 1:00 pm.
Place: Reinanzaka Church. www.reinanzaka.jp.
