It’s never too late to start training and Tominaga Sensei began when he enrolled in the University of Fukuoka in Kyushu, Japan, over five decades ago. He was a slow learner. It’s difficult to imagine how hard he worked to win accolades in kata and kumite at the All-Japan Championships. That’s why he would often tell us: “When I was your age, I worked at night, went to class during the day, practiced karate in the morning, and still had time for a girlfriend!”

Tominaga Sensei immigrated to Canada after receiving his shodan (1st degree black belt).

Tominaga Sensei also trained in Judo, Sumo wrestling, and Iaido, the art of drawing and cutting with the Japanese sword.

The year was 1969 when Tominaga began practicing under Sensei Masami Tsuruoka at a dojo near Yonge and Bloor. Tsuruoka Sensei had already established the first university karate club in Canada in 1963—the University of Toronto Karate Club (that’s us!) and he was ready to pass on the torch. Soon, Tominaga Sensei began teaching at UTKC alongside his fellow karate-ka from Japan, Ono Sensei and Ogawa Sensei. History was made in 1970, when Tominaga Sensei became UTKC’s sole instructor.

Under Tominaga Sensei’s guidance, we’ve grown from a dozen dedicated students to nearly 200 active members and alumni. UTKC is now known for providing top-notch training in Shotokan karate and for using authentic, traditional techniques. Many of Tominaga Sensei’s students went on to compete successfully in provincial, national and international tournaments Some of them continue to teach at our club today.

Tominaga Sensei was also known for his uncanny ability to target pressure points (take our word for it—it was painful).

Tominaga Sensei headed national initiatives that put Shotokan karate on the map.

UTKC is the flagship dojo of Jinbukai Canada, a not-for-profit organization created by Tominaga Sensei himself. This makes us an important part of the karate community in Canada and abroad.

Alongside core members of the Tsuruoka Club, Tominaga Sensei also organized major karate tournaments, such as the Canadian Nationals. In 1972, they formed Karate Ontario to regulate the practice of karate at the provincial level. The Technical Committee, formed in 1991, was made up of representatives from each of the five major styles of karate: Goju Ryu, Shito Ryu, Chito Ryu, Wado Ryu, and Shotokan. You guessed it—Tominaga Sensei represented Shotokan.

Coaching duties included the Ontario Provincial Team in 1985 and the National Team in 1987, which made it as far as the Pan American Karate Championships. Tominaga Sensei also taught kata clinics in Canada and managed karate tournaments and seminars across the world.

Whether he was training kids, university students, or professional athletes, Tominaga Sensei offered a unique style of positive reinforcement that made his students believe he would one day buy a wig. You’d know it was coming if you forgot to turn on your heel during basics or if you punched with tense shoulders. He’d shout your name from across the dojo and raise his legendary shinai over your head. His next few words would almost always be the same: “I have no hair left to pull!”

Tominaga Sensei was a believer in life-long learning. He kept himself in a state-of-training when he travelled the world. Whether he was exploring underwater craters off the coast of South America or browsing deep fried scorpions in Shanghai, Tominaga Sensei was always looking for ways to improve his own teaching.

Sure, if our punches were weak, he’d say, “you’re not punching tofu!” But he’s also said a good block takes 10 years to master, and a good punch takes 50. Only a life dedicated to learning can achieve these lofty goals, which is why Tominaga Sensei kept an open mind as he grew older.

Outside of karate, Tominaga Sensei loved fishing and being outdoors, often played the board game Go and spent his retirement years travelling the world with his wife.

He is loved by friends, family, and fellow karate-ka who attest to his open mind and generosity.

We think of him when we sweep the dojo floor. We think of him when we block and strike. We think of him when we spar. His is a legacy that we know we must carry on. And as long as we’re punching tofu, we will carry it.