April 2008
The Team Tournament sponsored by Mililani Kendo Club was held on Saturday, March 8th. The results were as follows: Junior Team – 1st Waipahu/2nd Mililani Women’s Team – 1st Waipahu/2nd Mililani Senior Team – 1st Kenshikan/2nd Aiea/3rd Mililani.
I got there after my work and joined godogeiko. I had a good keiko with persons who do not normally have chance to practice with.
Mr. Shizuo Hosaka, Kyoshi 7 dan, from Aikta prefecture came and practice at Kenyu kai on Friday, March 21st.
I flew to Portland, Oregon, to practice with Obukan dojo members. There must be over 20 kenshis lined up in front of me on Saturday, March 22nd. I was disappointed to have two persons still in line when they called it quit. I had a great time there thanks to Mr. and Mrs. John Hancock who invited me and hosted me.
Mr. Kunio Hashiguchi, Renshi 7 dan, from Fukuoka prefecture is in town till May. He is an inspiration to me. I try to practice with him whenever he comes to Kenshikan Dojo on Saturdays and Honbu Dojo on Sundays. It is good to go to higher caliber kenshis to improve yourselves whenever opportunities arise.
Kenkyu kai practice is on Friday, April 4th, from 7:30PM at JCCH Dojo.
Aiea Taiheiji Kendo Club will host a tournament on Saturday, April 5th from 8:30AM at Halawa District Park Gym. From our dojo, Matthew Lee, Bradly Watarai and I will be participating. Practice hard but do not get injured before the tournament.
Mr. Masashi Chiba, Hanshi 8 dan, will be visiting Hawaii from May 18th. He retired from Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department as a Chief Kendo Instructor. He was Japan Champion several times. He is a yearly visitor who makes our eyes open about the time our kendo gets sleepy. His practice schedule will be updated later.
At Steveston Tournament on February 9th, Mr. Yoshiaki Taguchi of Renfrew Dojo said. “If there is no wa, harmony or friendship, kendo won’t be do any longer.” I agreed with him. We are practicing physically aggressive thing like kendo. If we remove courtesy, respect, consideration and love toward others from kendo, kendo will no longer be do and becomes just a barbarous thing.
Iwao Sato, Chief Instructor, Wahiawa Kendo Club