Kenshiro Abbe - Later Life

Later Life

There are contradictory accounts of Abbe's last years in Japan. Morgan and Ellis (2006) state that he lived with his family for the remainder of his life, while Cavalcanti (2004) and Bagot (2007) claim that there were problems and that he ended up living apart from his family. Sources appear to agree, however, that Abbe was in poor spirits and poor health towards the end of his life. He suffered a stroke on 17 November 1985, and was hospitalised.

Abbe died on 1 December 1985 in Japan. According to at least two sources, he had chosen to donate his body for medical education at Saitama University, so it was not immediately laid to rest. Abbe's funeral was held on 10 June 1986 at Zuiganji Temple, located south of Mount Bizan in Tokushima, and he was buried or commemorated at the family grave there. Robinson (2007) wrote, "Abbe was the master who introduced Kendo, Aikido, Karate, Kyodo, Jukendo, Iaido, Yarido and Naginatado to Europe yet he died almost totally alone and forgotten by most."