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9 February 1929 – 24 November 2004 was a Japanese master of Shotokan karate who was one of the earliest masters responsible for introducing this martial art into Europe.Fernandez, M. (2001): Shotokan Karate Magazine, Issue 69 (November 2001):4–8. Retrieved on 1 April 2010. He taught his style of karate, Shotokan Ryu Kase Ha, in France from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s. The Shotokan Way: Taiji Kase profile (c. 2008). Retrieved on 1 April 2010. In his later years, he travelled across the world teaching karate, but Paris remained his home. Tullamore Shotokan Karate Club: Sensei Taiji Kase (c. 2000). Retrieved on 1 April 2011. Kase held the rank of 9th dan in karate.Marino, C. (2007): Remembering a great Karate Master: Sensei Taiji Kase (1929–2004) Retrieved on 1 April 2010.
In 1944, at the age of 15 years, Kase attained the rank of 2nd dan black belt in judo. That same year, he read a book on karate by Gichin Funakoshi, and was inspired to begin studying that art under Funakoshi himself. He also trained under Funakoshi's son, Gigō Funakoshi, before the latter's death in 1945. Kase Ha Shotokan Ryu Karate-do: Taiji Kase (c. 2005). Retrieved on 1 April 2010. Genshin Hironishi took on most of the teaching duties from that point.Cattle, S. (c. 1994"): The origins of Karate Retrieved on 2 April 2010. Along with Hironishi, Tadao Okuyama also influenced the young Kase's development in karate. Zanshinkai Karate-do Stockholm: Club (2010). Retrieved on 2 April 2010. Of his four instructors, Hironishi taught him the longest—six years.Niiranen, J. (2002): Sensei Kase interview Retrieved on 2 April 2010. Kase had been due to be tested for his 3rd dan in judo, but elected to focus on karate instead.
In 1946, Kase was promoted to 1st dan in Shotokan karate. He began studying economics at Senshu University and, in 1949, became captain of the university's karate team. That same year, he attained the rank of 3rd dan. He graduated from Senshu University in 1951. Kase joined the newly formed Japan Karate Association (JKA) with the aim of becoming a professional karate instructor, and would later become Chief Instructor for the European branch of the JKA. One of his duties in the JKA was to train instructors in kumite (sparring); amongst his students were Keinosuke Enoeda and Hiroshi Shirai as well as Hideo Ochi. Following Funakoshi's death in 1957 and a subsequent division in the JKA, Kase maintained ties with both factions.
In 1964, Kase left Japan to introduce karate overseas. That year, he taught for three months in South Africa, and continued teaching there the next year with Enoeda, Shirai, and Hirokazu Kanazawa. From 1965 to 1966, he taught in the United States of America, West Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. In 1967, he taught with Shirai in Italy for several months, and then travelled to France, where he settled in Paris. In 1968, Kase was coach of the French Karate Federation.Modric, Z. (1968): "JKA Chief Nakayama visits Karate centers in Europe." Black Belt, 6(11):9. He went on to teach karate there for almost 20 years in France before deciding to close his dojo in the mid-1980s. Amongst his European students was Steve Cattle, who founded the English Shotokan Academy. English Shotokan Academy (c. 2005). Retrieved on 2 April 2010. English Shotokan Academy: Inspirations (c. 2005). Retrieved on 2 April 2010. He then began travelling around the world to teach karate. 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.
During his time in France, Kase wrote books on his martial art, including 5 Heian: Katas, Karaté, Shotokan (1974), 18 kata supérieurs: Karate-dô Shôtôkan Ryû (1982), and Karaté-dô kata: 5-Heian, 2-Tekki (1983).Kase, T. (1974): 5 Heian: Katas, Karaté, Shotokan . Boulogne: Sedirep.Kase, T. (1982): 18 kata supérieurs: Karate-dô Shôtôkan Ryû . Boulogne: Sedirep. ()Kase, T. (1983): Karaté-dô kata: 5-Heian, 2-Tekki . Boulogne: Sedirep. ()
On 6 November 2004, Kase became critically ill, and was hospitalised.Scheuriker, G. (2005): On the death of Sensei Kase (15 February 2005). Retrieved on 1 April 2010. He returned home later on, and appeared to be recovering, but on the morning of 19 November his wife was unable to wake him. Kase had lapsed into unconsciousness, and was brought to hospital, but his condition only deteriorated. Kase died at 5:25 PM on 24 November 2004, leaving behind his wife and two daughters, and his mother (then 101 years old) and two brothers. His funeral was held at the crematorium of Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, on 30 November 2004. Kase held the rank of 9th dan at the time of his death.
In June 2005, Kase's widow, Chieko Kase, became honorary President of the Kase Ha Shotokan Ryu Karate-Do Instructors' Academy. Shotokan Ryu Kase Ha Instructors' Academy: Newsletter 6/05 (June 2005). Retrieved on 2 April 2010. Vebo Do: Official 2005 Gasshuku (2005). Retrieved on 2 April 2010. One of their daughters, Sachiko, was in attendance at the ceremony.
b. One source lists some of Kase's family: Chieko Kase (wife), Yumiko and Kumihiko Inaba (daughter and son-in-law), Sachiko Kase (daughter), and Yusuke (grandson). Seki Ryu Zan Shotokan Karate: Sad news – Mr Kase (c. 2005). Retrieved on 2 April 2010.
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