August 2008
August Kenkyu kai practice is on Friday, August 1st at JCCH dojo from 7:30PM. Mr. Tusha Buntin will lead the practice. The agenda is shinpan.
I will leave for Japan soon. I will stay there for about 2 weeks practicing at Ryobukan dojo in Fukushima . Mr. Nakamura and Mr. Uyehara will conduct practices at our dojo
for two Wednesdays. I would like to thank both senseis.
Mr. Masashi Shikai will visit Hawaii from Los Angeles from August 11th through 17th.
Mr. and Mrs. Shikai will sacrifice their vacation to come practice at available dojos.
Please welcome and practice with them. As many of you know, he is a good sensei.
Mr. Mitsuru Asaoka of Vancouver , Canada , had passed Iai-do 7 dan examination in June in Japan . It is a remarkable accomplishment for persons who live outside of Japan. We do not have many teachers to study under in foreign countries. Please congratulate him.
Wahiawa Kendo Club is in charge of Hawaii Kendo Federation Honbu dojo practices in September. I will do our regular fundamental uchikomi keiko.
Our dojo will have annual fund raise of Zippy’s Chili sale in September. The fund raised will help cover the operational cost and keep our club dues down. Recent years we are able to give small amount of kendo scholarship to Hawaii Kendo Federation kenshis.
Hawaii State Kendo Championship will be in Hilo , Big Island , this year. Saturday, Nov. 8th is the date followed by 1 kyu and dan examination next day, Sunday, November 9th/Mark your calendar. For hotel reservation, contact Mr. Carl Nakamura.
Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation tournament is on Saturday, November 15th. For those of you who are interested in participating, mark calendars and start saving money.
The cost of participating is going up.
I found in July issue of Kensoh, AJKF monthly magazine, that Mr. Yoichi Kimura was 3rd in 80-84 years old division in All Japan Senior Tournament on June 2nd at Japan Budokan. Mr. Kimura is one of my senseis I practice with whenever I go back to my hometown, Fukushima .. He does 1000 suburi before coming to 6AM practice at Ryobukan Dojo. He practices 8 to 10 times a week. His bogu bag says, “Doryoku wa hito o uragiranai,” your effort would not betray you. He is a good example of what kendoist should be. He is certainly one of my mentors.
Iwao Sato, Chief Instructor, Wahiawa Kendo Club