March 2009
People from Hawaii did well at 47th Steveston Tournament where 320 kenshis from 40 different clubs participated on February 14th in Richmond near Vancouver, Canada. Zoe Yamamoto was 3rd in 10 years and under division. Braxton Fukutomi was almost Champion ended up in 2nd in 1 – 2 dan division. I was happy that both Hawaii Junior and Senior Teams placed 3rd. Mr. Shintaro Onuma from Tokyo was in Hawaii from February 12th till 21st. He brought with him Mr. Kiyoyuki Fukamizu of Kumamoto Police. Mr. Onuma always impresses us with his vitality. Kenkyu-kai practice is on Friday, March 6th from 7:30PM at JCCH dojo where visiting Tokai University students will join us. Total 19 students (6 female and 13 male) from Tokai University lead by Yoshimura sensei, 8 dan, and Matsumoto sensei, 7 dan, will be in town from March 4th till 10th. Their kendo camp includes practices with Hawaii Kendo Federation members on Thursday, March 5th at Myohoji Club, on Friday, March 6th with Kenkyu-kai group and Sunday, March 8th at Kaimuki Honbu dojo. Join practices with them to make their Hawaii visit memorable and worthwhile. Mililani Kendo Club is hosting Hawaii Spring Team Championship on Saturday, March 28th at Mililani District Park Gym. Mililani Kendo Club is having a garage sale sometime soon to raise fund for their kendo trip this summer. When they announce, please help them by donating and buying. Our long time member, Mr. Masashi Yamamoto had passed away on February 14th at age 91. Last years of his kendo practices inspired me with his efforts to develop young ones in kendo. He really showed his desire to perpetuate kendo in younger generation. I was glad that many kenshis attended his funeral on February 26th to pay respect and celebrate Mr. Yamamoto’s life. On January 7th, at our practice, Mr. Hiroshi Sasaki, Kyoshi 7 dan, of Akita Prefecture, pointed out that adults should be careful when they strike children. In Japan most of time children practice among themselves and adults practice with each other. Children’s men and kote are made thinner than those of adults. Adults’ power is much stronger than children’s. It did not come to my mind till Mr. Sasaki mentioned this to us. Children suffer and quit kendo because of the pain inflicted by adults. It is good to be reminded every once in a while that adults should not hit children hard. Because our dojo membership is small we have to have adults and children practice together.
Iwao Sato, Chief Instructor, Wahiawa Kendo Club