June 2009
Kenkyu Kai practice is on Friday, June 5th at JCCH from 7:30PM. Mr. Carl Nakamura informed us that we practice kata for those who will take dan examination this month.
Our dojo practices in June have been cancelled because the hall won’t be available for us due to temple activities. Go to other dojo’s for your practices in June.
Mr. Kazuyoshi Inoue, Kyoshi 7 dan, from Fukuoka, Japan, is in town till June 15th. Go and practice with him. He is a good teacher and kenshi.
Leeward Oahu Tournament is on Sunday, Fathers’ Day, June 21st at Mililani District Park Gym. From our dojo, the followings will be participating: Matthew Takemoto, Jessica Sneed, Bradly Watarai, Ryan Cabanizas, John Parrish and Ellen Takemoto. We are expecting some kendo equipment venders there at the tournament. You may check to see if they can help you with your needs.
Dan and 1 kyu examination is on Sunday, June 28th at Kaimuki Gym. Those who will take the examination, practice hard under your teachers.
Mililani Kendo Club is making Youth Kendo Trip to Japan in July. They will participate in Dojo Renmei Tournament during their stay. I am hoping that Hawaii Kendo Federation will organize trips instead of individual dojo’s in the future.
We were sad to hear that Mr. Masashi Chiba, Hanshi 8 dan, had to cancel his planned trip to Hawaii to be with us in May. He will reschedule his visit at the later time.
Wahiawa Kendo Club was asked to take charge of Kaimuki practices in July. I will lead practices with our usual fundamental practices. Hope to have more kenshis to join us.
Myohoji Kendo Club’s Kendo Expo on Thursday, May 7th, was a great success. That was a good idea to show family members and others what they do. It is a good promotion and advertisement for Kendo. We hope that they do it every year.
When we handle shinai, we keep in mind that shinai is katana, a sword. That is why some handling protocol such as not to step over shinai and not to use it as a cane exists. Striking between shinai and katana, however, is different. Shinai strike is mainly oshigiri (pushing cut.) Katana strike is hikigiri (pulling cut.) When use katana method with shinai, your strike tends to get slower than using oshigiri with tenouchi.
Iwao Sato – Chief Instructor, Wahiawa Kendo Club