July 2008
I am happy to announce that Wahiawa Kendo Club now has its own website, www.wahiawakendo.com. Please view it and give me your comments. Also, let me know of any questions or mistakes you encounter.
Dan and 1 kyu examination was held on Sunday, June 8. Out of persons who practice with me regularly, Mr. Elbert Yoshida passed 1 kyu. For those who failed unfortunately, you should not give up. Remember, I tried 5 times before passing 6 dan.
Leeward Oahu Tournament was on Father’s Day Sunday, June 15. I was the captain of Parents Team in Parent-Child Team Matches. Parents won 5 to 1. It looked like that our kids made us win as Father’s Day gift. Chase Takenaka came in 1st in Shonenbu division. At the championship match, he lost the first point rather quickly. He took two points back to win with beautiful hiki-do and impressive hiki-men. Other winners among the people who practice with me at my dojo and/or Mililani dojo are Seth DeNardi-Shonenbu 3rd, Aaron Kim-Seinenbu 3rd, Elbert Yoshida-Seinenbu Masters 2nd
Travis Miyashiro 3rd, Shem Kim-Yudansha Shodan-nidan 3rd, Nicole Yoshida-Womens Yudansha Shodan-sandan 1st and Audrey Hayase 3rd, Andy Fujimoto-Yudansha Sandan-godan 2nd and Wesley Fujimoto and Mark Miiyamoto 3rd and Lawrence Chun-Yudansha Masters 2nd.
Kenkyu kai is cancelled. The 1st Friday this month is Independence Day Holiday.
Mr. Yu Hagiwara from Aichi Prefecture will visit Hawaii from July 17 till 22nd. We are looking forward to practicing with him.
Mr. Carl Nakamura and Mr. Franklin Chong are going to Foreign Kendo Leader’s seminar in Kitamoto, Saitama Japan , from July 25th till August 1st. I believe that this program over the years contributed to the betterment of Kendo worldwide. We should thank IKF for this good program. IKF should be very proud of the achievement so far.
Gabriel Branco, a Konkokyo Kendo Club member, was inducted into National Honor Society. Audrey Hayase and Nicole Yoshida graduated from Mililani High School as Valedictorians. I am very happy that kendo students are going with my kendo philosophy, “Kendo and study go together.”
After a while Mr. Lawrence Chun started learning kendo with Mr. Seigo Morita, he asked Mr. Morita, “How can I strike senseis?” Mr. Morita answered, “It’s easy. Takes two hours to learn but life long to master. Let’s get on with it.”
It takes lots of effort and long time to accomplish things. Kendo requires repetitious works. Don’t give up. Keep on trying.
Iwao Sato, Chief Instructor, Wahiawa Kendo Club