Passing of Fukuda sensei

I've heard from a one of her students that Fukuda sensei has passed away within the last hour.

judoratt wrote: I've heard from a one of her students that Fukuda sensei has passed away within the last hour.

My stomach went strait over when I read this. The end of an era for women's judo and judo in general has come to an end. There is no replacement. My deepest and heart felt sympathise go to her loved ones and pupils. RIP sensei.
What else can one say at these times....?
Mike

Made it to her 100th year I guess ... by the old calendar. Perfection in the old way to the last.

From USJF -

Hello Everyone,

It is with great sadness that we inform you that Keiko Fukuda Sensei passed
away at about 2:30 PM today, Saturday, 2/9/13. Fukuda Sensei was 99 years of
age.

We will provide more information as we receive it.

Thank you very much.

A great loss. RIP sensei.

http://www.usjf.com/2013/02/keiko-fukuda-sensei/

A great loss for the Judo community. Rest in Peace Fukuda sensei.

keiko fukuda was the last living student of jigoro Kano.
Sensei rest in peace

We went to Miss Fukuda's tournament and our sensei introduced us to his sensei: Miss Fukuda. At the time we had not studied the Ju-no-kata. She asked us, "Do you practice kata?"
"Yes, Sensei."
"Do you practice Randori and Shiai?" she asked.
"Yes, Sensei."
My Sensei said, "Ask them about Ju-no-kata."
"Do you practice Ju-no-kata?" she asked.
"No, Sensei."
"Oh, Why not?"
My sensei had told me that this was her favorite kata, she is an expert in this kata. So, i answered with all the honesty that a kata partner could. I pointed at my kata partner and said, "He doesn't want to learn it!"
This got a small chuckle out of my Sensei, and a smile out of Miss Fukuda, who told us that we need to practice this kata as this kata is important.

And we did.

The kata that was my teacher's favorite, and his teacher's favorite, the kata that i had no interest in would end up being my favorite. A kata that we would end up going to see Miss Fukuda year after year practice and study and end up going to the Kodokan to compete in and study. All off of a smile from Miss Fukuda.

I am sure that there are countless others that have practiced and studied this kata and come to love it because of Miss Fukuda. We will miss her.

heikojr

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/02/12/more-sports/legendary-judo-teacher-fukuda-dies-at-99/#.URmCN_L_57Q

As with the passing of any sensei, and Fukuda sensei was far above the average "any sensei," the students feel a slight weight added to their shoulders. What is felt by the true students is the added weight of responsibility, the responsibility in passing on all the Judo knowledge they have, and especially the knowledge they gained from their sensei to other students. When one spends a life time learning Judo and passing on that knowledge, the knowledge we receive is a gift that is not ours to keep. No, we too, in accepting the gift, are obligated in passing it onward.

In this sad time, I remember the words of Fukuda Sensei who was comforting my future wife after a rather horrid time on the shiai mat by saying, "There, there, dear, it will get better." Fukuda sensei was as correct then in the mid-1970's as she would be today if she could still utter those spot on words to us all, "There, there dear, it will get better."

I trust each of us, with some personal work, will find that to be true; it will get better. There is no better way to honor Fukuda sensei's 99+ year life and nearly 80 years studying Judo than by spreading her acquired knowledge to more generations; freely giving the knowledge away while dearly retaining her memory in each of our Judo souls.

Fukuda sensei, may your final night's dreams have been of a perfect Ju No Kata.