Quintin Chambers Obituary

QUINTIN THEODORE GERVASE CHAMBERS Quintin T. G. Chambers, 92, passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2026. He was born in London, England on October 16, 1933. Quintin graduated from the Magdalene College of the University of Cambridge, England, in 1959, earning a BA in Modern Languages with a major in French, German, and Spanish. Guided by a strong sense of curiosity and an adventurous spirit, he visited Spain after graduation to deepen his Spanish in preparation for travel to South America. While in Madrid, he taught English at various language schools and, through a chance encounter, met Francis Cochrane of Ireland. It was through Francis that Quintin came across an opportunity to work at the British Embassy in Tokyo. This connection set Quintin on a new path and ultimately altered the course of his life. Quintin took the opportunity, and in 1961 went to Japan to work with the British Embassy as a private tutor to the ten-year-old son of the First Secretary. This role marked the beginning of what would become a lifelong calling as an educator. In 1962, he joined the Liberal Arts Faculty at Saitama University, where he developed English literature courses for advanced students and taught conversational English at multiple levels for ten years. During this period, he simultaneously taught at other universities and a college. Having trained in Judo while at Cambridge, Quintin would visit the Kodokan in Tokyo where he met pre-eminent martial artist Donn Draeger who would influence the next chapter of his life. Quintin's interest was sparked after watching a fellow Judo practitioner, Doug Rogers, demonstrate the use of a wooden staff called a Jo. In February 1962, Draeger introduced him to Takaji Shimizu, the internationally respected headmaster of Shinto Muso-ryu Jodo, a classical Japanese system of staff techniques, and Quintin began formal training under his guidance. It would become a second defining turning point in his life. With Shimizu Sensei's permission, Quintin also trained with Risuke Otake, the master of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu, one of Japan's oldest martial traditions with a legacy of swordsmanship and battlefield arts. In addition, he studied Kukishin-ryu Hanbojutsu under Masaaki Hatsumi, the acknowledged modern grandmaster of the oldest surviving ninjutsu lineage. Quintin married in 1966 at Chokokuji in Tokyo, a branch temple of Eiheiji. In 1974, he and his family settled in Hawaii, where he worked in several fields, including hotel and property management. In 1989, he returned to teaching as an ESL instructor with the University of Hawaii Outreach College's NICE Program and later at the Academia Language School. Quintin generously shared his knowledge of martial arts through teaching Jo for over 50 years until he fell ill at the end of last year. His group, Mugen Dojo, continues his teaching through high-ranking students in Hawaii and several other states. He also co-authored several martial arts books over his lifetime: Stick Fighting, Pentjak Silat, Javanese Silat, and Shantung Black Tiger. Quintin is survived by his wife of 59 years, Atsuko Chambers, and his son, Marcus Holroyd Chambers, who lives in Washington state with his wife Melody. He was preceded in death by his elder sister, Anne Chambers of England. A private service was held on February 16th at the Hosoi Garden Mortuary. A private burial service at the Valley of the Temples will be held at a later date. The Chambers family would like to take this opportunity to express their heartfelt gratitude to each person who gave invaluable support in many ways during this difficult time. Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary